Charleston, Roanoke & Eastern Railroad - A true inspiration

Here's a video that was produced on my friend Marcus' layout that I operate on frequently:
http://youtu.be/V3ZuHOc_Iho

You can find more information on his layout at http://www.kntower.com/ and http://ns-cre.blogspot.com/.

Back from Vacation - Large Transformer Move in IL

I just returned from a long vacation up north to visit my wife's family in Illinois.  I had an awesome time as always.  The day before we left, I was treated to the opportunity to observe a 400-ton transformer being moved from the old Ameren Meredosia Power Station (in Meredosia, IL) to a depressed center flat car parked on the spur track in front of the Celanese plant about a 1/2 mile away.

The transformer was purchased four years ago as an extra for the Meredosia power plant.  The plant was shut down two years ago.  The transformer is now being moved up to the Pekin IL power plant via rail.

Here are photos and video of the move:

Here's a photo of a similar car and transformer move on my model railroad traveling through Blue Island (en route to the Peru Power and Water Plant).