Tim Stockwell
#TBT: October 13, 2010
With temperatures beginning to cool down right on cue here in September, my mind starts going towards Fall foliage railroad photography. I have a few vacation days set aside next month for just that, but this month is a nice time to take a look back at past ventures. Sure, I could share something a little more contemporary like last year's peak foliage-filled chase of Pan Am's OCS, but you all probably saw enough of that from others last year (so I'll wait at least a few years before sharing more from that chase).
So, tonight we turn the calendar back to October 13, 2010. The D&H between Schenectady and Binghamton has always been a favorite Fall destination of mine, oftentimes featuring great foliage. When I headed down the D&H early that morning, I figured I'd get something like Train 931, whose black NS engines would contrast nicely with the foliage. As I drove south through Richmondville and heard nearby MOW call the dispatcher for a train lineup, I was floored when I heard that the "Super Local"--Train 515--was coming north with none other than D&H GP38-2 #7312 leading! Though the foliage wasn't as great as I had hoped it would be, how could you go wrong with a D&H lightning stripe leading a northbound in perfect, early morning sun?
Here, the train passes MP502 in Duanesburg, NY as it approaches the Youngs Road crossing. I certainly won't be able to repeat this this Fall, but that's okay. And, in case you're wondering, I was by myself at every spot this morning--something that's unfathomable in today's world of smart phones and instant communication. Boy do I miss "just showing up" and surprises like these!
#TBT: October 13, 2010
With temperatures beginning to cool down right on cue here in September, my mind starts going towards Fall foliage railroad photography. I have a few vacation days set aside next month for just that, but this month is a nice time to take a look back at past ventures. Sure, I could share something a little more contemporary like last year's peak foliage-filled chase of Pan Am's OCS, but you all probably saw enough of that from others last year (so I'll wait at least a few years before sharing more from that chase).
So, tonight we turn the calendar back to October 13, 2010. The D&H between Schenectady and Binghamton has always been a favorite Fall destination of mine, oftentimes featuring great foliage. When I headed down the D&H early that morning, I figured I'd get something like Train 931, whose black NS engines would contrast nicely with the foliage. As I drove south through Richmondville and heard nearby MOW call the dispatcher for a train lineup, I was floored when I heard that the "Super Local"--Train 515--was coming north with none other than D&H GP38-2 #7312 leading! Though the foliage wasn't as great as I had hoped it would be, how could you go wrong with a D&H lightning stripe leading a northbound in perfect, early morning sun?
Here, the train passes MP502 in Duanesburg, NY as it approaches the Youngs Road crossing. I certainly won't be able to repeat this this Fall, but that's okay. And, in case you're wondering, I was by myself at every spot this morning--something that's unfathomable in today's world of smart phones and instant communication. Boy do I miss "just showing up" and surprises like these!