IC 6254 & 6256: Displaced From The Iron Range

With Canadian National having finally worked out the kinks in their modified GEVOs they had planned to send to the Iron Range, the first few of the model were sent there to begin service starting in July. Even before the arrival of their sisters, the first few "displacements" from the Northland have already made their way south; Illinois Central SD40-2s 6254 and 6256. Originally a trio with a DM&IR SD40T-3, the Tunnel Motor was removed after a few runs leaving the two "Straight Dash-2s" in charge of the ballast set. Even just as a duo, the classic EMDs were a nice change of pace, sparking significant interest.
Saturday August 17th found them heading southbound in the morning with "O492", first reported through Waupaca WI destined for a crew change at Fond Du Lac and a run south to the Windy City. Within an hour after the fresh crew got on board, I was at Slinger as they wound on downhill, around the curve and threading the needle between the switches, over the Wisconsin and Southern. A 45 mph speed restriction on the train enabled an easy second catch at Duplainville, with a pause to wait for CPKC to clear up the diamond. From there, it was non-stop to Nestle Siding south of Burlington, where they would wait for a trio of northbound to clear up. I headed to Salem Lakes, snagging the last two of the three before "0492" was turned loose to finish her run. And along she came, threading the needle between clouds and rain, the two SD40-2s easily making child's play of the short haul behind them. They might be clad in orange, white and black with the "noodle" adorned on their noses and long hoods, but both in their own heritage and in the reporting marks on their cab sides, they are still a part of the good old "Main Line Of Mid-America"!
Enjoy everybody! There is plenty more to come!