Thank You Sirs!
Continuing the chase of Pan Am train NMWA-13 I couldn't really find another side shot so figured I'd do one of the signature shots in the area. When I arrived at the US Route 2 overpass looking east toward the old granite milepost denoting 73 miles Mattawamkeag and the out of service automatic signal the light was simply spectacular.
I was a bit dejected knowing that the nose door was going to be open marring what would otherwise be a perfect shot, one good enough to redeem the otherwise endless string of failure and mediocrity over the prior day and a half.
As they curled into view at their blistering 10 mph pace something totally unexpected happened. Having seen me up on the overpass the conductor got up from his seat and went down to the nose and closed the front door for me! With the temps still in the mid 90s there was no other reason. He gave me a big smile and wave as he passed and I mouthed a grateful and exaggerated Thank You and proffered a thumbs up.
This would happen time and again and with only one exception the nose door would be closed for me at the following seven spots until my chase came to an unexpected and abrupt end...but more on that later!
I wish I knew the names of this crew on this 9 AM Waterville extra because I truly owe them a beer or three. Finally in the 11th hour of my District One adventure they made it all worth it...because I will never get a second chance before the Pan Am flag falls.
Here again I present the trio of MEC 510, 316, and 7545 (a GP40-2LW, GP40, and C40-8 respectively) with their 4261ft long train of 59 loads and 4 empties.
Carmel, Maine
Saturday May 14, 2022
Thank You Sirs!
Continuing the chase of Pan Am train NMWA-13 I couldn't really find another side shot so figured I'd do one of the signature shots in the area. When I arrived at the US Route 2 overpass looking east toward the old granite milepost denoting 73 miles Mattawamkeag and the out of service automatic signal the light was simply spectacular.
I was a bit dejected knowing that the nose door was going to be open marring what would otherwise be a perfect shot, one good enough to redeem the otherwise endless string of failure and mediocrity over the prior day and a half.
As they curled into view at their blistering 10 mph pace something totally unexpected happened. Having seen me up on the overpass the conductor got up from his seat and went down to the nose and closed the front door for me! With the temps still in the mid 90s there was no other reason. He gave me a big smile and wave as he passed and I mouthed a grateful and exaggerated Thank You and proffered a thumbs up.
This would happen time and again and with only one exception the nose door would be closed for me at the following seven spots until my chase came to an unexpected and abrupt end...but more on that later!
I wish I knew the names of this crew on this 9 AM Waterville extra because I truly owe them a beer or three. Finally in the 11th hour of my District One adventure they made it all worth it...because I will never get a second chance before the Pan Am flag falls.
Here again I present the trio of MEC 510, 316, and 7545 (a GP40-2LW, GP40, and C40-8 respectively) with their 4261ft long train of 59 loads and 4 empties.
Carmel, Maine
Saturday May 14, 2022