The train made its way back to Lubbock but we ran into a slight problem. As we had gone around the ballooon track, the train was now reversed and the cars had the numbers on the wrong side for tonight's Polar Express trip. When we returned to Reese Wye, we had to wye the train again so that the numbers would be facing the correct way.
Once that was done, we proceeded back to Doud Yard and met an eastbound freight as we were going through.
We passed San Luis and Rio Grande SD9043MAC 113, ex. Texas and New Mexico 113, nee Capital Group 113 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1999 in the yard then returned to the Lubbock Water Park where we all detrained, ending an excellent trip today.
Two views of our train at the boarding area. From here, Dave Smetko, Randy Jackson and I followed Bart and Sarah Jennings back out to Levelland, where those who had paid in advance would ride the Moose out to Whiteface, or back from there.
The Moose Trip out to Whiteface
Ten of us boarded the Moose and I sat in the back on an ice chest so I could take pictures from the rear.
The Moose has left the cars behind as we made our way to Whiteface.
This is as far as the train came this morning as the track is exempt west from here, but as a hi-rail vehicle, the Moose could take us all the way to the end of track just west of Whiteface.
Milepost 24.
Switches that led to nothing.
The line still has freight on it.
Passing through the trees along our route.
A grade crossing.
Another grade crossing.
Weeds between the rails.
The grain elevator in Levelland.
Another inactive switch.
All our moves across grade crossings where protected.
The former Santa Fe station sign at Levelland.
More grain hoppers.
View looking back.
Another tank car in a siding.
Two more switche.
Looking back.
Milepost 27.
Oil wells.
Another switch.
More grain cars along our route.
Milepost 28.
Grain and oil wells.
You could call us the "Tumbleweed Connection" for all of them we were passing.
More oil wells.
Milepost 30.
This line is very straight.
One of the future riders of the Moose was chasing our trip.
More tumbleweeds.
More oil wells.
The tumbleweeds certainly grow big around here.
Milepost 33.
Three views of the very straight track.
More oil wells along our route.
Our photographer was still taking pictures of our Moose trip.
Milepost 37.
Tumbleweeds and an oil well.
Dropping down a short hill.
Milepost 38.
The view looking ahead at our crossing protection.
