[81][4k] Memphis Staging Point West of the Mississippi River, BNSF Thayer South Sub, AR 04/09+10/21

At control point Critco in West Memphis, AR, the double-tracked section of the BNSF Thayer South Subdivision ends. The line that crosses the Mississippi River toward Memphis, TN is single track. Virtually all BNSF traffic to/from Memphis and beyond must pass this bottleneck. Quite naturally, the traffic volume is rather high and trains show up in short succession. In this video, we watch multiple manifests and intermodal trains pass by. Enjoy!

[@randallellison6421]

Awesome video! I was actually there dropping off 3911's crew that day, so we actually unknowingly crossed paths here at Critco which is pretty cool! Just subbed too!

[@mbmars01]

That's awesome. I remember the crew van, of course. Critco is a cool spot; the number of BNSF trains that came though during this visit was amazing. I didn't expect that. Thanks for subbing!

[@RiverLineProductions]

Nice video! I was just in Memphis a couple weeks ago, great spot for action!

[@mbmars01]

Thanks! Wow, cool. I'm sure you got to see some nice action. There aren't many cities anymore that are connected to multiple railroads.

[@dakinsmith3912]

Keep them coming. I so far enjoy what I see

[@mbmars01]

That's great!

[@fredxeje4418]

this section of railroad was the old FRISCO from Memphis to Springfield,Mo. During the Frisco era was somewhat busy with about eight trains a day. During the BN era got more busy with about sixteen trains a day. Now with BNSF seems to have about twenty trains a day. This Thayer sub got a blitz rebuild about 20 years ago. Shut down the entire line for two weeks. Really nice video you made.

[@mbmars01]

Thank you for the historic notes. It's always interesting to learn more about the lines one visits. I was impressed by the traffic volume. Great you enjoyed the video!

[@iusetano]

For us rail fans this bottle neck is a bonus. Excellent video.

[@mbmars01]

It was indeed a good location. The large amount of traffic was surprising nonetheless. Great, thank you.

[@backalleyrailroading2835]

Action packed video... Nice job !!!

[@mbmars01]

Great you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@Zsolti0NYM]

This is a nice location, we can clearly see the trains in both directions. Looks like the C4 versions are very popular on this line. The BNSF locos are nifty, just like the black stallions. Great update, thank you for the entertainment. :)

[@mbmars01]

In fact, I was surprised to see these many C4s on this line. You're very welcome!

[@scottsnyder2767]

I always love and look forward to seeing your videos. This one shows how poor the conditions our rail infrastructure is. Even the railbeds are in sad shape (up to 5:30) and that poor frog. Notice the rails at 10:32.

[@mbmars01]

Thank you very much; I'm happy you keep enjoying the videos here. It's true, I was surprised by the poor track condition in this section. Usually, BNSF keeps their infrastructure in perfect shape. However, I should mention that a lot of track work was going on on this line during this visit. I guess they'll fix that spot.

[@scottmccullough6136]

WOW MB, it sounds super windy out there, but great job as always. I like seeing the trains just lined-up like that waiting to head-out one right after the other, makes for a great day of train watching, which is any day in my opinion. Keep up the great work. Side Note: In your last video at 10:35 there was a lone "GREEN" BN Coil Car with what appeared to be a single lid, this seems rare to me, basically because i've never seen a BN coil car, especially a green one.

[@mbmars01]

Those were stormy day, although the worst passed the area to the north and south. Thanks!

[@stampycatfan01lol]

I managed to catch a MOW equipment train on the Thayer Sub up in Jonesboro recently. Great to see others paying a visit to the line!

[@mbmars01]

They did a lot of track work during this visit in April as well. In fact, there was a rail train somewhere, but no way to shoot it, unfortunately.

[@stampycatfan01lol]

@@mbmars01 Ah, that makes sense. I mostly railfan along the UP Jonesboro Sub, though I occasionally pay a visit to the Thayer Sub, as well as UP’s Hoxie and Pine Bluff subdivisions on other days.

[@mbmars01]

Awesome. I railfanned the Pine Bluff Sub a few years ago.

[@stampycatfan01lol]

@@mbmars01 Nice! A few railfans have visited that subdivision along various spots. The same can’t really be said for the Jonesboro Sub though.

[@roberttaylor6600]

Now that was Cool.

[@mbmars01]

Great you liked it!

[@BorisLu]

Nice video!

[@mbmars01]

Cool, thanks!

[@quintinthemississippirailfan]

Nice video

[@mbmars01]

Thanks!

[@TheDoubleWLife]

Great Video Mab! Always entertaining

[@mbmars01]

Thanks very much!

[@jacks4733]

Keep 'em coming!

[@mbmars01]

Yep, there will be more.

[@brianhickey5949]

Interesting track flex at 3:10 It looks like it used to have a connector and rivets, but now it looks welded :) Cool! I also like the IAC - maybe Progress Rail is leasing all IAC's - better traction. Really great views and scenery! We're not in GA anymore, Toto :)

[@mbmars01]

Lol, I'm actually back in GA :)

[@brianhickey5949]

@@mbmars01 Cool!

[@osch53]

Nice one!

[@mbmars01]

Thanks!

[@q.r.ajoaogbn2678]

Good Job brother

[@mbmars01]

Thanks!

[@mikehowey4869]

Nice video, track is in kind of bad shape in this area though.kind of cool seeing all the colorful locos of BNSF.

[@mbmars01]

Thanks! I'd think they'll soon take care of the track. They were working on this line during this visit.

[@jimbronson4506]

Great video!

[@mbmars01]

Thanks!

[@gfandwrr1]

I hate the constant drone of crossing guard bells.

[@mbmars01]

Some bells are configured like that, unfortunately. I don't like it either.

[@jamesstallings2007]

Nice

[@mbmars01]

Thanks!

[@Atsf1976]

Nice video with great action. What kind of video camera do you use?

[@mbmars01]

Thanks. I currently use a Panasonic WXF1 camcorder for my recordings.

[@glennjohnston2267]

Enjoyable video, but wish it were a bit longer

[@mbmars01]

Thanks! I know, one always wants to watch more of what one likes. However, there will be more videos, which I hope you guys will enjoy as much :)

[@glennjohnston2267]

@@mbmars01 I always enjoy your videos.

[@mbmars01]

I know. Keep watching :)

[@railyardfilms6491]

Tennessee cool

[@mbmars01]

Well, most of this was filmed on the west side of the river, which belongs to Arkansas :)

[@lyricof3003]

1. Congrats on 31k 2. Why does NS SD70iac looks like a SD70ACe 3. So many GE its making my head hurt 😭😭😭

[@mbmars01]

Thanks! If I remember correctly, the SD70IAC is basically the Tier 4 Credit Unit version of the SD70Ace. Although not Tier 4 compliant, it is a modernized version of the SD70ACe that includes better traction control. BNSF is GE heavy, and I think they exactly know why - reliability.

[@lyricof3003]

@@mbmars01 thx for all the information mbars I appreciate it

[@Enjoyer.762]

133,900 total YT competitive railfanning points awarded 👍Key bonus captures NS foreign run through power, fallen flags BN rolling stock (covered hoppers, and coil car. High traffic railfanning.

[@mbmars01]

Alright, I take it! It's funny that NS yields bonus points for me, but it makes sense. There should be a bad-weather bonus as well. Filming wasn't easy in this storm :P

[@Enjoyer.762]

@@mbmars01 Welp... If Frisco and C of G would have merged in the 1960s rather than Southern buying C of G, in an alternate time line BNSF would have extended as far east as Savanah GA instead of Birmingham AL lol. Now a merger I would have liked to have seen got through was proposed the CR / SF transcontinental merger.

[@mbmars01]

I wonder what the paint scheme and logo of a merged CR/SF company would have looked like. I wouldn't have minded a silver blue warbonnet lol

[@CSXproductions-vq8li]

You forgot to add in BNSF 8209 (ES44C4) at 9:21

[@mbmars01]

Lol, right. That's too bad :)

[@bryangsanders1067]

Hi

[@mbmars01]

Hi

[@pandasarecool8606]

Hi mbmars01!

[@mbmars01]

Hello

[@user-ck8xm5zr5u]

さうまの

[@Nicola636128]

Nice video!

[@mbmars01]

Thanks!