Pic of the Day (I80 & 27V)

The Fostoria Mixing Center is a busy place. At least 9 trains every day (CSX H-795 and NS 13N, 18N, 27V, 272, 276, 277, 280, and 286), and sometimes quite a few more, make set offs, pick ups, or originate from this sprawling complex a couple of miles away from the Iron Triangle, and east of Norfolk Southern's Blair Yard (to say nothing of the near constant switching being done at both ends of the center by CAT (Caliber Auto Transfer) or NS locomotives). Today, I80 (Second/Extra section of 280 - Chicago, IL - Bellvue, OH), with NS ES40DC # 7579, pulls eastbound into the west end of the Mixing Center, while 27V (Wayne, MI - Kansas City/Voltz Yard, MO), with NS SD60M # 6778 in Horsehead paint, and NS C39-8 # 8617, awaits further instructions before finishing their work at the Mixing Center and then heading west. NS 7579 would later be turned and added to the head end of 27V, who departed Fostoria with fully 100 auto racks, all loaded (and only 1 hour left to work...the train was re-crewed in short order at "DA" (Arcadia). That made for a long and heavy train. The extra power was needed!