On October 23 my dad and I left home about 7:45am and headed into Spokane, WA to meet up with Robert Scott from western WA.  When we arrived at Yardley the Z-SSECHC1-22A was just pulling in to re-crew (SF(BNSF) 8220, SF 619, EMD 9072).  In the yard waiting to leave west were 2 trains.  The first was the M-LAUPAS1-21A with BNSF 793 and 4657.  The other train in the yard was the S-BPATAC1-20M (FURX 7247, BN(BNSF) 7876, BNSF 500).  After that we drove down to the east end of the yard were the S-LPCTAC1-19A was just arriving (SF(BNSF) 838, BN(BNSF) 7866).  After shooting him we saw the headlights of yet another westbound so waited for it.  It turned out to be the Z-CHCSEA9-21A with 4 units (BNSF 4825, 5337, 992, SF(BNSF) 908).  Next my dad drove back to see if Robert was there while I waited for the eastbound Z-SSECHC to come out of the yard.  It came down to the east end and unhooked from its train to make a pickup.  My dad got back then and picked me up then we headed back to Havanna street where Robert was parked.

     After meeting Robert we heard on the scanner that there was an H-EVEGAL coming soon and that the Z-SSECHC was just about ready to leave.   We decided to head east on Trent and find a crossing to shoot it at.  It came barreling past at 10:10am as we quickly fired off some shots.  We then headed out to Hauser yard to find out what was stashed there.  At the yard was the G-MURTAC9-18 with 2 DPUs on the read (BNSF 4370, 4883, 4120(DPU), 4304(DPU)).  The other train there was the V-KCKPTL8 with 24 cars (BN(BNSF) 8034, MRL 259).  The dispatcher gave MOW some time on both mains and the power lines over the tracks where being dropped so we knew that nothing was going to be moving right away.  The Rat turn was at Hauser Jct. on our way back to town and that was it. 

     As we pulled into town we saw a northbound UP train stopped at Velox.  For the next 45 minutes we waited at the UP or BNSF tracks for a train but no luck.  Finally the northbound UP train got a track warrant to proceed and we quickly drove over there to shoot him.  It passed Baker Rd at 11:30am with a long string of manifest cars (CP 8548, 9540, UP 7055, 3663, 3652).  After it had passed we headed over to the BNSF tracks at Otis Orchards where BN(BNSF) 2735 was coming back into town with the Rat Turn.  Robert had to leave then because he had some meetings to attend and had to grab a bite to eat first so we said goodbye.   After he left we headed to a crossing near where the BNSF tracks cross the Spokane River at Trentwood.  The first train there was the V-KCKPTL8 with its 24 cars.   Following just in his wake was a westbound hopper train with 2 up front and 2 on the end (BNSF 4510, 5256, 4535, 4372).

     Next we drove down to Sullivan Rd. overpass to shoot the U-BEOLAU which was an empty rail train (FURX 8111, BN(BNSF) 6814).  Back at the other crossing an eastbound empty hopper train was following the previous train east (FURX 8106, 8104).  We headed to Yardley where we found an eastbound stack re-crewing (BNSF 4508, 4804, 1081, 4959).  Next we stopped at Costo to gas up and then to Subway for lunch.  Just as we parked (the place happened to be next to the UP tracks) the M-HKSK rolled by with manifest and auto (UP 3090, 8613).  After that we got our sandwiches and headed for Marshall canyon.  Just as we turned off onto Hwy 195 we saw an eastbound vehicle and TOFC with BNSF 9297 leading it!!  Well we couldn't let that go by so we quickly turned around and drove back into town to grab a shot or two.   On the way we saw Amtrak 196 at the depot in town.

     Heading back towards Marshall Canyon we met 2 more eastbounds but couldn't get any photos.  The first was an eastbound vehicle with BNSF 8051 and MRL 320.  The 2nd was an eastbound stack and TOFC (BNSF 967, 4594, 5416, NS 9476, CSX 8950(still in CR paint)).  At Scribner we caught up to one of the loaded grain trains we saw earlier.  So we drove up to Anderson Rd. to shoot a pic of it.  It finally rumbled past with the 2 DPUs pushing for all they were worth.   After that we drove down a little farther to where it crosses the UP.  Just then a northbound UP train curved into sight with well over 100 hoppers (CEFX 109, CP 8616, 9525).  Next we parked the car and hiked over to the BNSF tracks where we could get a good photo of westbounds with the fall colors. 

     The first train was an eastbound empty hopper train (BNSF 5467, SF 686).  At 3:30 just 15 minutes later a westbound hopper train ground past with 2 up front and 2 on the rear (BNSF 4548, 8801, 4784(DPU), NS 9449(DPU)).   Another 15 minutes later the same V-KCKPTL8 train with BN(BNSF) and MRL units rolled around the comer and into view.  At 4:00pm another loaded grain train ground upgrade westbound past us (BNSF 4670, 700, 1007(DPU), 4847(DPU)).  By this time the sun was getting lower and we were getting close to leaving when we heard yet another westbound coming at us.  As it rounded the corner I was pleasantly surprised to see ATSF 673 on the point and BNSF 985 trailing unit.  Thankfully the sun was out making the fall colors brilliant.  After the last train had past we walked back to the car and drove home.  It was an awesome day and I will have to remember that last spot for fall colors!!