An Offroad Adventure: Handson Cold Storage

jon-monon

Active Member
Located on Concord Road on the South end of Lafayette, I found this industry one fine Saturday afternoon.
 

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jon-monon

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Before even seeing the front of the building, and knowing what it was, I crossed this siding, which was begging further investigation. It looked like it had a spur going towards the industry. (I beleive this photo is actually the other end of the siding, across the road the industry is located on, I'll have to go back and get a shot on the right side).
 

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jon-monon

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So after passing the front of the building, and seeing an empty parking lot, I knew I was destined to photograph the siding in detail. Driving around to the back, it looked like the asphalt ended, then I saw an old two track trail and took it. I was beginning to wonder if selling my Jeep was a good idea. This shot taken after rounding the corner, so I'm on the side of the building, parallel to the siding, facing the street that goes in front of Hanson. I'm about 2/3 of the way there, YEHAAAA!
 

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jon-monon

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Looking to the left, I spot a bright orange derailer. I guess Hanson doesn't want any surprises.
 

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jon-monon

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As we procede the spur crosses our trail. At this point, it doesn't look like it's used often.
 

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jon-monon

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Then a look back up the spur to the branch reveils a weedy situation, and I wonder if they have discontinued rail service. I think not, since the weeds are shorter around the track than surrounding areas.
 

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jon-monon

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The lights are on, but nobody's home. The loading dock appears less abbandoned than the tracks did.
 

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jon-monon

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add image

And we're outa here! Well, not so fast, the twin track disappeared into the weeds. I didn't feel like getting hung up on who-knows-what lurkes in there, and I wasn't about to back a 7500 lb van back over that trail using my mirrors, so I did as others had before me (and since hte grass was last cut), and proceded carefully across the grass :rolleyes:

In the background, you can see Staleys South, sister to the Staleys North, the corn syrup plant frequently featured in the Driveby thread
 

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Papa Bear

Member
Great pictures, Jon! I like finding stuff like that. We have several cold storage buildings here in Alabama. Some have sidings; some don't. I like the old pole line, too. Thanks for sharing them! :thumb:
 

jon-monon

Active Member
Thanks folks!

Chris, I believe they are NS, as they lead to Staleys South and a grain elevator that is served by NS.

If driving through Lafayette on US 52, this is the line that crosses 52 just Noth of 350 South. You'll see a big old cement CO-OP elevator and a big, steaming factory on the West side of the highway at the crossing, and a small NS yard to the East. The folks at the CO-OP are quite friendly, and if you ask, you can park there and take pics of the yard and the GP's/SD's running around the elevator. Hmmmmmmm, OK, another thread then! :D
 

jon-monon

Active Member
Nice photo study of an industry. Thanks for posting Jon!

You're welcome! I shall return. I feel incomplete here, as I didn't get a pic of the branch from the road, and I didn't get complete shots of the building. More to come!
 

jon-monon

Active Member
Thanks guys, good to see you're still out there Grum. I get to see the GP's get their workout on the lumpy track work in the NS yard all I want:

http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=8886&page=8&pp=5

Look at the track in the foreground in the middle pic here:

http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=8886&page=16&pp=5

Action shots:

http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=8886&page=29&pp=5

and:

http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=8886&page=30&pp=5

That's all one thread, so if you have time to look over about 100 pics, you could just start at the beginning:

http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=8886&page=1&pp=5

:D :D :D
 
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