P&W NR-2 and an icy Mill Cove – 3/9/2007

Despite this morning’s single digit temperatures, I decided to head out at my normal time to catch Providence & Worcester train NR-2 along Mill Cove in Ledyard, CT. I figured with the cold temps we’ve been having lately, the cove should have a nice coat of ice on it. Once I got there, I wasn’t dissapointed – most of the cove was covered in a milky white sheet of ice. The only part left liquid was right around the inlet to the cove at the south end – and not only was it liquid water, it was also mostly devoid of any waves…it should give a nice reflection, once NR-2 passed overhead.

Well, I waited, and waited. Finally I heard some chatter on the scanner – yep, it was the familiar voices of NR-2, but it sounded like they were switching. Then it dawned on me, NR-2 was recently tasked with giving Dow Chemical, a couple miles north of my position, a switch on the way south. So I patiently waited. Then I heard the call that they were ten minutes from the Sub Base. That meant they were about 6 minutes away from me. So I got to my spot at the south end of the cove, and waited. A couple minutes later, NR-2’s headlight became visible through the trees around Red Top to the north. Finally, NR-2 appeared at the north end fo the cove – looks like a short train today:

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And they make their way onto and along the causeway seperating the Thames River and Mill Cove:

[cpg_imagefixthumb:2597] [cpg_imagefixthumb:2596] [cpg_imagefixthumb:2595]

Then at the south end, the water gives a nice reflection of the locomotive:

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And now for the trailing power:

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Who also made a nice reflection in the water:

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From there, it was time to head back to the grind.

Thanks for looking & enjoy!
Tom Nanos