NR-2 coming and going

This morning was another late start for me.  Not only did I get up a touch late, but also the roads were covered with black ice, and some of them were closed.  So I had to take a really scenic route into work this morning.  And as I usually do, I had the scanner monitoring the P&W frequency.  Well as not long after I got on my “the long way to work” route, Providence & Worcester NR-2 reported to the Worcester dispatcher that they were southbound out of Plainfield.  OK, maybe I can catch them on the way into work like I did earlier in the week.  So I set my course, and listened intently to the scanner for any updates as I traveled.

Well, the scanner was silent until I got across Route 2A and turned south on Route 12 in Preston, when NR-2 reported that they were south of MP12 and about 15 minutes from the base.  That only put them a couple miles north of me.  So the timing would work out nicely to catch them in Ledyard.  I, as usual, opted for Mill Cove.  But this time I had something different in mind.

When I got to Erickson Park, which overlooks Mill Cove, I was greeted by mostly blue skies, accented by whispy thin white cirrus clouds.  So instead of my usual shots from the south end of the cove, I went for a broadside, featuring some of the trees at the edge of the park.  I picked my spot and waited.

Well, I didn’t have to wait too long, because a short couple minutes later, NR-2 was blowing for the crossings at Dow Chemical a mile up the tracks.  A few moments later, they rolled through Red Top, and into view.  Then I got the shot I wanted, as they rolled past with a short train.

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Then I switched to the 20D with the telephoto lens on it for a going away shot

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And one as the train rolled over the inlet to the cove, and a pair of swans sat quietly in the water

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And finally backing out a bit to get the whole train

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Pretty good timing, and some pretty sweet morning light!  With that in hand, and the train again working Fairview (this time spotting a car for Spicer), it was time to head to the office.  That covers the coming part.  What about going?  Read on…

Well, while at work, I checked my email.  Someone on the P&W Yahoo group posted that NR-2 had finished up in New Haven and was requesting permission from the Shore Line dispatcher to head back west with zero loads and one empty.  And this was at 10:30am.  Talk about a quick turn!  Well, some quick math in my head told me they’d be back in town, and heading north on the Norwich Branch somewhere around lunchtime.  So instead of having lunch at the cafeteria, I decided to have it on the road.

As I was heading north on Route 12 in Groton, I heard a marker chirp on the scanner.  OK, that could be them – only question was if they were already on the P&W tracks, or still out on Amtrak across the river.  A couple minutes later I got my answer – a US Coast Guard cutter asked the Thames River lift bridge for an opening, and was turned down because a freight was in the picture.  Perfect!  So I set my sights on Mill Cove yet again.  But this time, I had another different angle in mind.

As I pulled into Erickson Park for the second time today, I heard the Worcester dispatcher get the location of NR-3 (which was north of MP13), presumably to give NR-2 a section of track.  As that was going on, I grabbed my gear, and walked along the banks to the north end of the cove.  Sure, I’d be shooting into the sun, but when has that ever stopped me?

A few minutes after finding my spot, I heard horns to the south.  NR-2 was probably passing by the USS Nautilus, on their way north.  Not long after that, more horns – NR-2 rolling through the Sub Base.  And finally, they came into view.

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Then a tight shot as they rounded the bend in the causeway.

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And a vertical, with the short train’s reflection in the water

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Finally, switching to the 20D, this time with the wide angle on it, a shot of the train and its reflection passing by

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A quick wave to the crew as they passed by, and we went our separate ways.  There you go – the going part of the title.

Thanks for looking!
Tom