The hook strikes again!

Just add water!!

Those of you who live near inland rivers will recognize this river towboat with 2 empty barges on it's way to get a load of grain from the nearby elevator. All that's missing is the river... (and that will be a while)

Based on the popular Lunchtime at the Overpass series of photos at the great truck website operated by Hank Suderman, here is the first in a series of truck photos taken from the same truck watching spot on the SBS. Enjoy... and check out Hank's site at http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/bc_truck_pix.htm#lunchtime

more lunch!

Lunchtime #3

Lunchtime photo #2

Lunchtime at the South Bend Southern!

Based on the popular Lunchtime at the Overpass series of photos at the great truck website operated by Hank Suderman, here is the first in a series of truck photos taken from the same truck watching spot on the SBS. Enjoy... and check out Hank's site at http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/lunchtime_jun15_2006.htm

What is the South Bend Southern?

This is the story of the South Bend Southern Railroad, a fictional regional railroad between South Bend Indiana and Fulton Kentucky. The line is now majority owned by the Canadian National Railroad, which uses it as a alternate route to bypass the congested rails of Chicago.

From its connection with the former Grand Trunk Western in South Bend, SBS trains head south through Indiana farm land on the old Nickel Plate line to Kokomo, Indianapolis, and through southern Indiana on the old Conrail/LIRR line into Louisville Kentucky. From there trains head west on the former ICG/Paducah and Louisville through the rolling Western Kentucky coal fields onto Fulton Kentucky where they connect to the IC/CN for points south and west.

The building of the SBS started out showing a highway under construction, with a progression of photos of 1/87th construction equipment in action.

Progress has slowed a little due to family stuff, so feel free to browse through past photos from previous months that are listed on the left panel.

Coming soon!

Central Indiana is ag country and trackside grain elevators are a common industry. Stay tuned for more photos as this portion of the layout is developed.

Grain haulers are a common sight too.

CN/IC grain train on the SBS

Coming and going...

Bigger equipment moving out and smaller equipment moving in.

Busy day on the SBS

Up close and personal...

L&N job trailer

When you need a job trailer, an old caboose is just right.

*&^%$ kids...

"Taggers" at work on the new retaining wall already...

and this poor guy has to cover up the mess...

git r done

When the job is behind schedule, work goes on day or night...

Western Star dumper

This quad axle dump truck is my latest and one I am very proud of. The Western Star cab is a resin casting made by Kurt Hofmeyer. The dump body is the outstanding work of Joe Enriquez provided to me by Bob Johnson. Thanks Kurt, Joe and Bob!