NBEC 403

It's been awhile since I caught a train, and since 403 hadn't arrived yet into Campbellton I figured why not catch it. At 1900 I arrived at Blair Malcom road (My usual spot in Dalhousie Jct) I waited till about 1945 when I had decided to call it quits, I had other things to do in Campbellton before 2000 so I had to go back. However by 0820 403 still hadn't arrived so not really wanting to go home just yet I had decided to go back towards Dalhousie Jct and try my luck again. Sure enough, when I arrived in Richardsville 403 called RTC to inform them they had some problems with the lead unit 6907. 403 said they were slowing down and loseing power, they were doing about 15 mph when they were in McClouds. I figure this was a great chance to catch it. Just between McClouds and Dalhousie Jct sat 403. 403 called RTC and asked when the 15 was due, fortunatly the 15 was going to be an hour late arriving into Campbellton, it left Miramichi at 2000 which to my knowledge should have been in at 1900. However that was good news for the 403 of sorts.

At McClouds I took some really good pictures and I took two videos, one was just the train sitting idlely on a crossing and the other was listning in on the conversation between 403 and RTC. The crew aboard 403 requested permission to leave the train to go and get 1819 to tow in the 403. at 2100 403's crew got permission to leave and get another locomotive to tow the now dead 6907. At 2050(?) mechanics from the ERC shops drove by to rescue 6907 however were not able to get anything done. I'm not too sure what exactly was the cause of the lead unit to lose power however I think it might have been something to do with the fans. I'm not sure and I stand to be corrected on that.

I went back to the ERC shops in Campbellton to see if I can try and trail 1819 back to the wounded 6907 but it was getting late and I was getting tired. By then it was 2130 so I was ready to call it a night and head home. Once I got home on the other hand, I turned on the scanner and after some time had passed 403 called RTC to let them know they were on the move and at the crossing in Richardsville at 2245.

I'll post my videos on Youtube as usual and here are some of the shots I took of the 403 in McClouds. So enjoy and that was it for me today April 2nd 2008 have fun chaseing those trains!