Today is graduation day at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, so the place has been hopping. From increased security around President Bush’s visit to the commenecement ceremonies, to quite a few more boats in the Thames River just above the Gold Star Bridge. Of course, as usual, the train keeps on rolling along, so to speak. Providence & Worcester train NR-2 was on its usual schedule today, and was a subject of my camera during my daily walk.
With bright blue skies, and barely a breeze in the air, I figured I’d head for MP7 in Ledyard, CT and the little tidal pool along the Thames River for today. I got there well in advance of the train – allowing me to do a little, ahem, landscaping, while I was waiting. After I finished up my trimming, a boat came speeding down the river. Turned out to be a Norwich Police boat, presumably heading down to the USCG Academy. I grabbed a couple shots of the boat.
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And a jet flying overhead.
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After I bagged the jet, NR-3 bid NR-2 farewell in Norwich – aparently they left TAR together as one big happy family. So that meant they were about 5 minutes north of my position. Time to get ready.
A few minutes later, a rumble in the distance, followed by a trio of headlights indicated the oncoming train. Grabbed a couple long telephoto shots of them up in Preston.
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And I moved into position for the shots I was aiming for – some nice reflections on the calm, albiet muddy, tidal pool. I think they came out rather well.
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And a blur shot of the train passing by
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Then on the tail end were three dead-in-tow P&W engines, aparently destined for the New York, Susquehanna & Western in Utica, NY. Two would be staying there, and one would be repaired and returned to the P&W (unconfirmed, but I seem to remember reading something to that effect on the P&W Yahoo group not too long ago). Got one shot of the trio, along with NR-2s trialing engine, passing the pool.
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A quick walk back to the car (including a nice uphill climb), and I was on my way south again. A quick look at the watch showed me I should have time to bag NR-2 at Fairview before the Secret Service shuts everything down for the President’s arrival and transport over to the Academy. I got to the bottom of Fairview just as NR-2 was rolling up to the switch.
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And got one shot of the train rolling past, with the medium duty cutter, USCGC Dependable, anchored in the Thames River
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Then a going away shot of the lead power pulling through the curve at the south end of the yard.
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And finally a shot of the 3 DIT locomotives
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At that point, the train was heading east to Midway to drop cars at Tilcon. With the increased security around, I figured I was better off heading back to the office so I didn’t get stranded.
