The Palmer Shuffle -- 10 Photos
9. The engineer has the head lights and ditch lights on and the train is moving toward Springfield.
Until recently Amtrak's Vermonter had to reverse directions at Palmer, MA. Track deterioration on it's original route caused it to detour and do what was called the Palmer Shuffle. The original route's track has been improved and the Palmer Shuffle is no longer needed.
My photos are of the Vermonter (Train 55) doing the Shuffle on August 1, 2012. AMTK 104, a P42DC, provided the motive power.
Note 1, if you want more detail on this move including a map, see my photoblog at: railfan44.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-vermonter-at-palmer-ma...
Note 2, I attributed the term "Palmer Shuffle" to Mike Schafer, editor of Passenger Train Journal.
The Palmer Shuffle -- 10 Photos
9. The engineer has the head lights and ditch lights on and the train is moving toward Springfield.
Until recently Amtrak's Vermonter had to reverse directions at Palmer, MA. Track deterioration on it's original route caused it to detour and do what was called the Palmer Shuffle. The original route's track has been improved and the Palmer Shuffle is no longer needed.
My photos are of the Vermonter (Train 55) doing the Shuffle on August 1, 2012. AMTK 104, a P42DC, provided the motive power.
Note 1, if you want more detail on this move including a map, see my photoblog at: railfan44.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-vermonter-at-palmer-ma...
Note 2, I attributed the term "Palmer Shuffle" to Mike Schafer, editor of Passenger Train Journal.