Yesterday I managed to get out for a bit and take advantage of the bright blue skies and warm weather down here in southeastern Connecticut. And as things worked out, I got out for a little bit over lunch because of some unforeseen circumstances at work. When all was said and done, I managed to photograph Providence & Worcester train NR-2 at Mill Cove and Shaw’s Cove – which included the “wreck” in the title – an Amtrak crane in Groton, and a new bridge up in Ledyard.
In the morning, I managed to get out to barely catch P&W NR2 at Mill Cove – I was running a bit late, but I managed to get there just as they were rolling through Dow Chemical to the north. So I managed to rattle off a trio of photos as they headed south along the cove
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10804] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10803] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10802]Then I figured it was worth a shot again to head over to Shaw’s Cove in New London and get a couple shots of them rolling along the Thames – at least this time they had a train (unlike Friday). So instead of doing my usual stop at Fairview, I headed straight over the Gold Star into the Whaling City, and took up my position at the south end of Shaw’s Cove.
A few moments later, as I was walking out onto the rocks by the river, NR-2 started blowing for Governor Winthrop Blvd to the north. Since they were still out of view, I got a shot of part of that wrecked ship now that the tide was lower.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10801]Then NR-2 came into view near the station
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10800]And I worked the train and wreck in the same frame
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10799]Then a couple of the train crossing the swing bridge
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10798] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10797]And finally one wide shot getting NR2s trailing power with the wreck in the frame
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10796]Satisfied with what I got, I packed it up and headed back to the office across the river for what I figured would be the rest of the day.
Well, as things worked out, that wasn’t the case. Yesterday PGRD (Pfizer Global Research & Development) was making a major announcement about the new organizational structure of the company after the acquisition of Wyeth. So they closed the cafeteria – and I forgot to bring lunch – so I was forced to head out for lunch. BTW, in case you’re wondering why I didn’t attend – I work for a different Pfizer business unit – PGM (Pfizer Global Manufacturing) – and we’re not affected by PGRD’s actions.
Anyways, after I got lunch from Wendy’s, I headed up the P&W’s Norwich Branch to see if I could catch NR-3. I found them working the Dow Chemical plant still, so I headed up to Stoddard Cove to see if I could wait them out.
But when I got into the parking lot, something odd caught my eye – the bridge over the inlet to the cove was different. They actually changed out the entire bridge! Instead of the old beams and timbers bridge, they replaced it with a steel deck bridge. And just to the north, the old girders were sitting there waiting to be disposed of. So I got a few shots of the old beams, and the new bridge.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10795] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10794] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10793] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10792] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10791]After all that, NR3 was still switching, so I figured I’d head back to the office.
But on the way I swung by Groton Tower on a whim. There on the stub track was an Amtrak crane and flat car. So of course I got a shot of it.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10790]And then called it a day, heading back to the office for good. Well, at least until 4:30PM…
Thanks for looking!
Tom
