PHOTOS: DALLAS TERMINAL RAILROAD

Arriving in Dallas I noticed that the replacement of the DART LRV rollsigns with LED signs was accelerating, like with #191 and #133 seen at Pearl St. However #213 was still fitted with the analogue signs that do much better in photographs.

Here a northbound DART Blue Line train with LRV's #192 and #185 take the flashing arrow Approach Diverging indication on the 4N signal at the north end of the Pearl Arts District platform.

 

 

DART LRV #213 actually turned out to be my ride to Buckner station at the "timetable" southern end of the line. The station is named for disgraced Red Socks first baseman Bill Buckner who was forced to flee to Texas and found his own town after blowing the 1986 World Series. Seen here the operator has already rolled the signs to the new destination of North Carrollton.

Similarly roll signed LRV #208 would be leading the return trip northward.

Passing LRV #247 on the main line. DART can reach speeds as high as 65mph.

Managed to catch some Union Pacific intermodal action on the Mineola Sub with ES44AC #2522 and AC4400 #7247.

The Dallas Terminal Railroad yard was located between MLK and Fair Park, so I bid fairwell to #213 at the former to walk to the latter.

Also located between MLK and Fair Park was the Green Line's access to DART's south side yard and maintenance facility. The yard was originally built in the 90's to serve the original Blue and Red lines, but was strategically located to also serve the planned Green Line that would be completed in the 2010's. Both lines connect to the yard via long segments of non-revenue track.

When built, the non-rev Green Line track cut through the Dallas Terminal Railroad, necessitating the installation of a 2 by 2 diamond crossing at grade, complete with power operated derails on the DALT.

West of the DART tracks there were two Budd Santa Fe high level coaches, Amtrak #39953 and #3952

There was also Chicago Northwestern observation car #450, Flambeau.

The Dallas Terminal Railway has an extensive "buy, sell, trade" list online and on site there was an additional classic car collection with a few up for sale.

Heading into the east side of the complex I happened to find Amtrak high level Pacific Parlor car #39973! These were removed from service and disposed of by Amtrak President "We Can't Have Nice Things" Anderson.

The Parlor Car was sitting next to what looked like an old Southern Pacific Pullman, all being guarded by a trainyard dog.

Moving down the street were Hi-Level coaches #39949 and #39962.

However the most shocking find was Amtrak Superliner Diner/Lounge car #37008 in its own little fenced enclosure. It appeared to be in perfectly good condition and was likely sold off by Anderson as part of his quest to eliminate on board meal service.

The last equipment of note was Hi-level Dorm car #39920 and an ex-VIA car #2141.

At Fair Park I caught rollsign LRV #223 heading south to Buckner.

The Fair Park station is directly outside the entrance to the Texas State Fairgrounds, which are also home to the Cotton Bowl, and has extra infrastructure to handle event-day crowds.

My trip back downtown would be on LED car #119.

Here we see #119 next to rollsign LRV #218 en-route to Westmoreland.

Partly wrapped LED LRV #179 crossing Olive St. with rollsign car #233 at Pearl St station.

Wrapping up this chapter of the photos I ran into Southwest's Arizona One heritage unit at Dallas Luv Field on my way out of town.

Make sure you tune in next time as I take my first extensive ride on the McKinney Ave trolley since 2007!