Today I managed to get out at my normal time for my walk & (photo) shoot. But of course, things didn’t go as planned. I was going to meet young Adam Twombly & his mom up at Mill Cove prior to NR-2s typical arrival. That was the intent – of course reality was quite a bit different.
As I headed north on Thames Street the scanner came alive as I was about to turn onto Military Highway – NR-2 was reporting to the Worcester dispatcher that they were south of MP5. Holy cow were they early! Oh, well, quick change of plans – I headed for the USS Nautilus overlook park instead.
I pulled into the parking lot, seemingly well ahead of the train. So I grabbed both my digital and Rolleiflex 6×6 and headed for the fenceline overlooking the calm water. A very nice reflection was in store when the train arrived. As I was scoping things out, the crossing signal at the Nautilus activated and NR-2 began sounding for the crossing. OK, decision time. I opted to get the wide shot looking at the sub and train with the TLR, and get a going away shot through the trees with the digital. Well, I think the digital worked out just fine.
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The 6×6 slides are at the lab right now, and I should have them tomorrow afternoon, so watch for scans over the weekend.
From there I figured that since it was still very early I’d head over to the Thames River drawbridge and get a few shots over there. From the sounds of things, there was an eastbound Amtrak regional in the picture. Once I got there, there was a swan and her signets swimming by in the river.
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And moments later, the Amtrak crossed the bridge, so a shot of the AEM-7 locomotive with the swan family below was in order.
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Once they cleared, NR-2 got permission to head to Gov. Winthrop Blvd. and wait for Shaw’s Cove to close. As they began their move off of the wye in Groton, a New London Fire Department inflatable boat sped by in the Thames.
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And a group of ducks swam by
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And I grabbed a quick picture of one of the crane barges working on the bridge replacement project
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Finally, NR-2 rolled onto the bridge
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And the trailing power went past the work area
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Of course, all the while I was snapping a few 6×6 frames. By the end of this, I was out of film. So I figured on a trip across the river to drop off the film at the lab (Jay’s Photo on Bank St. if you’re curious – they do great work!). Well, by the time I got over the Gold Star Bridge, NR-2 was stopped just over Gov. Winthrop Blvd – I couldn’t catch what the problem was over the radio, but they had to wait for something to happen with Amtrak before proceeding west. Hmmm, that may give me enough time to get over to Shaw’s Cove and catch them there.
Yep, I got there a couple minutes before they started to proceed west, which gave me enough time to park, grab my gear and head for the walkway along the waterfront. NR-2 finally made their way west, and I got a shot of them passing behind a parked Pettibone
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Then I changed positions to get some of the water, Shaw’s Cove swing bridge and walkway in the shots. Here’s a few:
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Then once they cleared the Shaw’s Cove signals on the far side of the bridge, they came back east heading for the New England Central yard.
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But at the same time, a westbound Amtrak Regional was leaving the station. Cool, might get a rolling meet here! Yep, the timing worked out well – and the first one kinda looks like the HHP-8 locmootive is on the point of the P&W train.
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Nah, next shot shows the truth – they’re moving in opposite directions.
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Finally, I grabbed a wide shot of the regional stretched out along the water, about to cross the Shaw’s Cove swing bridge.
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Not bad. From there, I headed back to Bank St. and dropped off the 2 rolls of 120 film at Jay’s. On my way out, I noticed two people walking along the side of the road – it was Adam and his mom! We chatted for a couple seconds while the light in front of me was red. They did end up catching NR-2 up at Mill Cove. I’m glad they did make it and get it there – I’m sure it was gorgeous.
That’s it for now. Stay tuned for the medium format scans in a few days.
Thanks!
Tom
