More crappy weather today, but that didn’t stop me from trying to catch Providence & Worcester train NR-2 somewhere around Norwich, CT this morning. Hey, I’ve only got 2 more tries before I go back to my usual work schedule. Same plan as yesterday – head north on Route 12 out of Norwich and see what I could find between Norwich and Jewett City. Since I’m posting something, I obviously found NR-2.
I got out of the house a little later than yesterday, but I figured I still had time to get to Norwich before NR-2 hit the detector at Jewett City. Well, short story is that I was right – I was heading north through Lisbon when NR-2 hit the detector. A quick turnaround, and I was headed back south. Now where could I go to catch them?
I figured that since I was far enough ahead of them, I’d head for the spot where I got the mailbox shot yesterday. Maybe I could get something over the fence as the train headed for the short Norwich Tunnel.
A couple minutes later, and after a few odd stares from people driving by (folks, it’s only a camera…), NR-2 came rolling down the banks of the Quinnebaug River, and into sight. The first shot I got included some of the homes abutting the tracks.
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Then a wider shot, including the Quinnebaug in the frame
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Then the fun one. This time I brought my flash with me for the mailbox shot. Since NR-2 was pretty short, it required a quick run of about 30 yards to get into position before the train rolled out of sight. While running, I was also mounting the flash, and firing it up.
Just as I got into position, I had enough time to quickly frame the shot, focus and fire off one frame.
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I think it worked out well. I went with the B&W treatment since it was such a grubby day…just seemed to fit.
Not too bad – definitely worth the stop. When I got back to the car, I could hear NR-2 starting to work in Norwich yard. That would give me enough time to hit the Dunkin’ Donuts in Ledyard (no breakfast yet…a bagel was in order), and hopefully get to Mill Cove before NR-2. As I rolled past Stoddard Hill, NR-2 called into the Worcester dispatcher that they were south of MP12, and about 15 minutes from the sub base. Yep, I’d have just enough time…
Well, of course I got the slowest person that ever worked at DD – at least she wasn’t making my bagel, only collecting the money! I got my sandwich, and headed out. From the sound of the scanner – silence – NR-2 wasn’t in the picture yet. It had only been about 10 minutes since they made the call to Worcester. So I sat and enjoyed my bagel.
About halfway through the sandwich, NR-2 reported that they were south of MP5. Whoops, got to put the bagel down and pick up the camera, ’cause here they come!
A moment later, the pulled onto the causeway between Mill Cove and the Thames River
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And a wider shot of the entire train under the gloomy skies
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A couple of the lead locomotive heading south
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And finally, the trailing GE crossing the Mill Cove inlet
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Satisfied with what I caught, I climbed back in the car, put the camera gear away, and dug back into my bagel before it got cold. Maybe I could have some sun tomorrow morning…Mr. Weatherman, you listening?
Thanks for looking!
Tom
