Tim Stockwell
Finger Laken' Good
I'm not gonna lie: I've enjoyed taking the Flickr app off my phone and not feeling the pressure of trying to constantly keep up on my feed. But, I've quietly checked in at times on my laptop, favorited a few photos here and there, and then gone back to great times with the family amidst a busy season at work.
But, on the flipside, I always figured I'd post something again at some point. It was just a matter of feeling inspired to do so.
Well, that inspiration has come from two, whirlwind trips to Western New York. With me having a work-related meeting on Saturday, October 1st, followed by plans to spend the balance of the weekend doing a brief, overnight railroad photography trip with a couple old chase buddies, my wife wisely decided it was a good time to head up to Potsdam with our 4-year-old son to visit her parents for a long weekend.
With my wife and son planning to leave Thursday morning, I realized I had an unusual chance to make a quick, two-day trip before getting home in time to go to my work-related meeting on Saturday morning. A last-minute check with an old friend from seminary who lives in East Rochester, I confirmed I had a place to crash Thursday night.
So, after seeing my wife and son off on Thursday morning, I was headed west. The ultimate goal? The Falls Road out of Lockport, NY, which was a bucket list item I wanted to check. Unfortunately--thanks to CSX not dropping for them--all they did on Friday was spot cars in the yard with their RS-32 facing long-hood forward. Definitely a bummer.
What saved the trip, though, was cleaning up on the Finger Lakes Railway. I've done a little with the Finger Lakes before (including having the chance to ride a good portion of the railroad in a speeder on a NARCOA trip years ago), but I always wanted to do more. Well, this trip provided the chance.
While Friday the Finger Lakes was the backup plan, on Thursday it was the plan on the way out. I knew that Train GC-2 worked the Canandaigua line on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I also knew it generally ran against the light with leaving Geneva westbound in the morning and returning eastbound in the afternoon. But, the line turns back south on its approach to Geneva, so I figured there'd be an angle or two.
I found the eastbound return train just east of the Village of Phelps, and boy was I happy to see what the power was: Lehigh Valley-inspired U23B #2201! After getting an OK shot at one crossing, I found this spot with perfect side light just after the Carter Road grade crossing in the Town of Phelps. After quietly walking back to the car, once inside I assure you there was some celebrating!
FGLK Train GC-2
Phelps, NY
September 29, 2022
Finger Laken' Good
I'm not gonna lie: I've enjoyed taking the Flickr app off my phone and not feeling the pressure of trying to constantly keep up on my feed. But, I've quietly checked in at times on my laptop, favorited a few photos here and there, and then gone back to great times with the family amidst a busy season at work.
But, on the flipside, I always figured I'd post something again at some point. It was just a matter of feeling inspired to do so.
Well, that inspiration has come from two, whirlwind trips to Western New York. With me having a work-related meeting on Saturday, October 1st, followed by plans to spend the balance of the weekend doing a brief, overnight railroad photography trip with a couple old chase buddies, my wife wisely decided it was a good time to head up to Potsdam with our 4-year-old son to visit her parents for a long weekend.
With my wife and son planning to leave Thursday morning, I realized I had an unusual chance to make a quick, two-day trip before getting home in time to go to my work-related meeting on Saturday morning. A last-minute check with an old friend from seminary who lives in East Rochester, I confirmed I had a place to crash Thursday night.
So, after seeing my wife and son off on Thursday morning, I was headed west. The ultimate goal? The Falls Road out of Lockport, NY, which was a bucket list item I wanted to check. Unfortunately--thanks to CSX not dropping for them--all they did on Friday was spot cars in the yard with their RS-32 facing long-hood forward. Definitely a bummer.
What saved the trip, though, was cleaning up on the Finger Lakes Railway. I've done a little with the Finger Lakes before (including having the chance to ride a good portion of the railroad in a speeder on a NARCOA trip years ago), but I always wanted to do more. Well, this trip provided the chance.
While Friday the Finger Lakes was the backup plan, on Thursday it was the plan on the way out. I knew that Train GC-2 worked the Canandaigua line on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I also knew it generally ran against the light with leaving Geneva westbound in the morning and returning eastbound in the afternoon. But, the line turns back south on its approach to Geneva, so I figured there'd be an angle or two.
I found the eastbound return train just east of the Village of Phelps, and boy was I happy to see what the power was: Lehigh Valley-inspired U23B #2201! After getting an OK shot at one crossing, I found this spot with perfect side light just after the Carter Road grade crossing in the Town of Phelps. After quietly walking back to the car, once inside I assure you there was some celebrating!
FGLK Train GC-2
Phelps, NY
September 29, 2022