NECR 608 – from the nudie bar to Benny’s

No, don’t get all riled up – there’s no photos of a topless joint. I only used their parking lot to begin my short chase of New England Central train 608 through Norwich. So sit back, relax and enjoy the – short – ride.

Things begin in Franklin where NECR train 608 was finishing up their work at Cargill, and then requested an update to their track warrant so they could head further south – apparently there was a track foreman that had the line tied up south of them. As they were getting their update from the dispatcher, I headed for Yantic to get a shot of the train around MP17. Yep, I parked in the lot of the old Log-N-Lantern and waited for 608’s arrival.

Not long after I arrived, 608 began approaching the Route 32 overpass. As soon as the short train ducked under the bridge, I got a shot of them at the MP17 marker

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Then another wider shot, showing more of the nice blue sky

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And 180 degrees around for a shot into the sun with the train heading for the bridge over the Yantic river

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The train’s next stop was the Phelps-Dodge plant just down the line from here. So I headed for Wawecus Street, where the rails cross over the road, and set up to the east of the tracks. I got a shot of the head end power crossing over the small girder bridge

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Then a shot of the second unit – a GP-38 with GEXR reporting marks, which is a sister RailAmerica railroad called the Goderich-Exeter Railway, located in southern Ontario, Canada. An interesting find for sure!

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After the crew finished up their work at Phelps, they continued south. I decided on a shot at Benny’s in Norwichtown getting both the train and the bright red Benny’s signage in the same shot. Once I got there, the best option was my 15mm fisheye lens. But first, I figured I could get in a couple telephoto shots of the train approaching from the north, then have enough time to swap the lenses and get my intended shot.

A couple minutes later the train began sounding for the Pleasant St. crossing just to the north of me. Moments later, the lead NECR GP-38 peeked out from behind the trees & shadows

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And continued rolling towards me

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Time for the presto-chango of the glass. Off came the telephoto, and on came the fisheye (not so gracefully, I might mention – but everything survived). And I had enough time to get off two shots – this being th keeper of the pair.

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Another 180 degree turnaround to get the power crossing over the main road, and also getting the sun in the shot.

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Gotta love the field of view of the fisheye!

As the train rolled out of sight towards Backus Hospital, I packed up and headed home.

Thanks for looking!
Tom