"38 Thursday"

It's been just about 20 years since I took this particular photo. On May 6, 2004 (which, like today, was also a Thursday), D&H local SC-1 with StL&H GP38-2 #7308 switches GE Silicones (now Momentive) in Waterford, NY. Today, SMS Rail Services does the switching here, while CPKC simply sets off and picks up blocks of cars. But, back during this time, CP's D&H still ran local SC-1 every day but Sunday (Gordy Smith can correct me if I'm wrong), and this was the main reason they ran this local. Back in 2004, this local also would have been responsible for switching Mohawk Paper in Cohoes.

 

During this time -- in addition to "The Gas Train" (symbolled 514/515 at the time) -- intermodal trains 168/169 still traversed the Colonie Main as well, so you could catch upwards of six trains in daylight on this line.

 

Today -- unless a loaded or empty ethanol or grain train gets thrown into the mix -- the Colonie Main only sees one train a day in daylight.

 

I didn't know how good I had it...

 

D&H local SC-1

GE Silicones

Waterford, NY

May 6, 2004

Done