2016-09-02 - Angleton, TX - Flash

One set of white flashing aviation lights became to singulr flashing lights.

In explanation, I am a former military aircraft mechanic.

While I was headed for the Union Pacific Depot to pick up a Houston bound off duty train crew, I observed what appeared to be an aircraft moving slowly, showing two white flashing tip lights (which I thought odd) headed North, North, East, following the Union Pacific train tracks.

While stopped at the light, headed South on the Loop 274 at Texas Hwy [29*09.533N and 095*26.005W] I lowered my driver’s side window. The light turned green and I progressed South on Loop 274. I could still see the flashing lights, hear the crossing bells ringing and multiple train engine noise, but hear no aircraft engine noise. I stopped at Loop 274 and W. Plum to turn {right} onto W. Plum, the train was moving on the tracks in a Northerly direction {it’s engine noise fading}, but there was still no aircraft engine noise, I lost sight of the observed aircraft in the surrounding trees.

At W. Plum and S. Erskine I turned left and still lost in the surrounding trees. I again turned left at S. Erskine and W. Munson as I stopped at the yield sign I looked up toward the Union Pacific Radio tower {roughly 110ft tall} and still did not see aircraft flashing lights nor hear aircraft engine noise. I crossed S. Hancock St. turned to the right, into the yard. I stopped then I backed to the right into my parking spot, shut of the vehicle engine.

Out of the vehicle, as I collected my work gear, I again looked up at the tower [29*09.307N, 095*25.585W] and observed the two flashing white tip lights divide.

Where there had been one silent single aircraft several hundred foot above the tower and railroad overpass there were two. I only saw the lights no shapes. One silent flashing light went to the North of the tower, the second silent flashing light went to the South of the tower.

I ran to the Yard Office and asked the duty night manager to please step out onto the North East facing porch. I pointed to the two lights not far off, still slowly headed North, North, East now at least a city block apart and reported the odd sight following the train.

I asked what might be so important that two silent aircraft with one bright flashing light each, would be following it. He stated it was a regular run with no particular importance.

I needed to go further to pick up the crew. Near 20:56 crossing the railroad overpass the two flashing white lights were observable, still headed in a generally North direction along a parallel to the track.