Backlog nearly cleared now…here goes another. This past Monday sported glorious blue skies, calm winds and warm temps, so I decided to head for the tidal pool near milepost 7 on the Providence & Worcester’s Norwich Branch in Ledyard, CT. When I got there, the color of the leaves was a bit subtle still – this part of the state still hasn’t reached its peak – but I figured it would make for some nice photos with the calm water. The scanner told me I wouldn’t have long to wait – P&W train NR-2 was working just a few miles to the north in Norwich. Time to pick the spot and get ready.
As usual, while walking around checking the angles, I snapped some non-railroad related photos. First is a boat speeding south through the Thames River.
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And some young swans were out with their parents getting a bit of breakfast along the banks of the Thames
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Not long after that, I could hear horns to the north, followed by a trio of headlights in the distance. Here comes NR-2! As they went under the Mohegan-Pequot bridge (Route 2A) to the north, I grabbed a long shot – somewhat of a where’s Waldo type shot – with the train barely discernibl.
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Then I swapped lenses, opting for the fisheye to get some of the barely lit foliage into the frame. By the time I got to my somewhat swampy spot (the tide was out, so I could get a wider angle), NR-2 and the trains reflection rumbled onto the short causeway
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Today they had more uncovered coil steel cars destined for Primary Steel in Middletown
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And a shot of the trailing power
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Satisfied with what I got, I took my time in getting back to the car – which included a pretty good climb up the hillside.
I got into the car, and headed south. As the light at the Sub Base south gate turned green, I took a left onto Military Highway and continued south. A quick glance to my left struck my eye as odd – the gates at the Nautilus were down. Did I get in front of NR-2? The horns gave me the answer – I did! So instead of getting a shot at the Nautilus, I opted to get way ahead of them and go for a shot down on Military Highway with some of the turning foliage in the background.
I got to the spot well in advance of NR-2s arrival – they had just entered Fairview yard to the north. A short run to my spot (yes, I said run), and a swap of lenses – telephoto off, and standard wide angle on (18-50mm if you’re curious). Then NR-2 rolled into view. I shot a few shots – 2 different framings.
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Truly satisfied with my catch for the day, I headed back to the office. NR-2 would have to wait for an Amtrak to follow, so I took my leave of the Corridor and headed back to the office.
Thanks for looking!
Tom
