Yesterday I was running a little late in getting out of the house, so I didn’t get on the road at my usual time. But like usual, I had my scanner on during the 40+ mile commute to the office. That told me a couple things – first that New Engalnd Central train NERWNE (AKA 608) was on time leaving Montville, and second Providence & Worcester train NR-2 was early in leaving Plainfield. OK, maybe I could get both trains on my way in. So the scenic route was in order…
I figured with the way NR-2 was traveling, I could make it to Stoddard Cove and get a couple shots of them heading south there. Just as I parked the car, I glanced across the River to the NECR side and I saw some empty centerbeam flats slipping into the woods. Hmmm, I guess NERWNE would be in range soon. So I grabbed my stuff and headed out to the edge of the Thames.
A few moments after I got there, NECR NERWNE came into view, and I got a series of photos as they rolled along the Thames up to Fort Shantok to the north.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10085] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10084] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10083] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10082] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10081] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10080]Then just as they slipped out of view to the north, I saw headlights on the P&W side – here comes NR-2! (had they been a few seconds earlier, I would have been able to get both in the same frame)
After picking my spot, I waited for them to appear. And appear they did…but it was a little shorter than usual – just a trio of light engines.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10079]Then they came out of the shadows of Stoddard Hill
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10078]And rolled past me (with Don waving out the window in the 2nd shot)
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10077] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10076]And a going away shot as they went back into the shade
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10075]On my way back down the tracks, I got one more shot of them rolling past some fishermen near MP7
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10074]Not too bad for a few minutes on-scene. I figured a shot at Mill Cove and the Nautilus were out, so I headed straight down to Groton. With the train being simply light engines, I figured this presented a nice opportunity to try something different. I wanted to include a portion of the former New Haven SS-119 Groton tower in the shot. So I headed for the parking area south of the Groton wye.
When I got there, NR-2 was asking permission to head west on Amtrak. The New London dispatcher informed them that they’d be heading west after the next eastbound Acela – train 2190.
While waiting, I got one shot of NR-2 waiting at the signal, with part of the tower in the frame.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10073]Not long after that, 2190 pulled out of New London station and headed my way. I got one shot of the train with the tower
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10072]Then a going away shot with some Maintenance of Way equipment on one of the old yard tracks.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10071]A couple moments later, NR-2 got the signal, and began pulling down the west leg of the Groton wye. As they did it, I got a trio of shots of them passing by the old tower.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:10070] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10069] [cpg_imagefixthumb:10068]As NR-2 crossed the Thames, I packed up the gear and made my way to the office. Not too much of a delay at all…
Finally, you’re probably wondering about the title of this post. Late (me) + Early (NR-2) = On Time x 2 (NERWNE and 2190). OK, a little weird, but then again, so am I…
Thanks for looking!
Tom
