Train Wizard Productions

A week ago today near Leipsic, Ohio Union Pacific Railroad Big Boy No. 4014 wowed the crowd of new and seasoned trainspotters looking down on the former Nickel Plate Road mainline, now Norfolk Southern, from the Yellow Creek Reservoir.

New Leipsic to Bellevue gallery is live - https://www.trainwizardpro.com/UPbigboy4014bellevue

“Hey everyone in the Tool Car, if you look to your left that’s Lake Erie,” said someone on the railroad radio as No. 4014 approached.

Never did I ever think I’d be standing on top of the old Lorain Ford Plant overpass to witness a Union Pacific Big Boy running on the Nickel Plate Road.

A long time ago when I was a kid my parents and I lived in Vermilion so driving past the then thriving Ford Plant to and from school or my grandparent’s house was a daily occurrence I remember well the days of endless lines of autoracks being loaded with the equally endless parade of new Ford utility vans for shipment by rail.

Nowadays the rail yard north of Route 6 has been reclaimed by nature. The Ford Plant is now hodgepodge of small industries with some sections simply demolished.

Yesterday the whole place became one of the hottest spots in town as the best vantage point to witness Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 race along Lake Erie on the old Nickel Plate Road. This would be second of five photo spots between Bellevue and Ashtabula. Months and months of planning went into it and quite honestly I had no ideas this old bridge was accessible until the moment and I arrived on site after catching the 4014 depart Norfolk Southern’s Moorman Yard in Bellevue.

Truly one of the most incredible sights in my time as a railroad photographer.

So much more to come from Big Boy NKP Cleveland Division Chase!

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