I was able to get out and catch two Providence & Worcester jobs today – NR-2 and NH-1. Caught NR-2 rolling past the USS Nautilus in Groton, CT, and later I got ’em swapping cars and power with NH-1 in Old Saybrook, CT at the Amtrak station.
First up was NR-2 this morning. I got out a bit later than I had wanted, and as I was heading towards the south end of Fairview Yard, the scanner woke up and NR-2 reported that they were about 10 minutes out of the base. Some quick calculations of speed, mileage and stoplights in my path made it real close that I would make it to Mill Cove. So I opted for the USS Nautilus overlook park. I got there well in advance of the train, so I could pick out my spot – which were limited due to all the damned weeds and errant trees growing on the slope. So I opted for a shot I’ve done before, where the train and sub are framed by branches. A couple minutes later, the bells at the pedestrian crossing at the Sub Force Museum started ringing, and a short NR-2 came rolling along.
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Not too bad. That was all I had time for there, so it was back to the office.
Then came lunch. I figured I haven’t been to the Amtrak station at Old Saybrook in a while, so it was time to head out there. Well, by the time I got there, NR-2 and NH-1 were finishing up their car and power swap, and getting ready to head out. One of NR-2s locomotives headed up the east leg of the wye, while a combined NH-1 and NR-2 pulled down track 3 past the station.
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Then once they were tied onto the train, I tried to beat them to the Connecticut River drawbridge in Old Lyme. Well, needless to say, I didn’t make it. But it looks like they’re doing some work on the bridge – here’s a shot of a work barge moored to the south side of the drawbridge.
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So from there I figured it was over, and made my way back to I-95 heading north. But as I approached New London, the Amtrak frequency came alive with the Shore Line dispatcher asking for foul time back to get NR-2 over Shaw’s Cove and back home. Hmmm, I guess they’ve been waiting there for a bit. So I got off of the Gold Star Bridge in Groton, and waited a minute or two for NR-2 to get onto the Thames River drawbridge. At least I’d get one bridge shot today…
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Then as the trailing power made it’s way onto dry land, I turned and headed back a mile or so south to the office for the rest of the day.
Thanks for looking!
Tom
