Busy week last week, and a busy weekend too, so I didn’t get a chance to post the stuff I shot last Friday (July 18th). Short story was this – I was able to head out for a bit last Friday and catch Providence & Worcester train NR-2 doing something unusual, an Amtrak regional and an Acela, and a bunch of boats waiting for the new Thames River lift bridge to open up. Yep, I did also finally get a couple shots of the bridge open – first ones for me since the bridge was changed out (Part One and Part Two to refresh your memories).
Despite the hot, humid & hazy weather last Friday, I took advantage of a small hole in my schedule to head out for a bit in the morning. I set my sights on Mill Cove for a couple reasons – one it’s close by, and two, there wasn’t much air moving, so maybe I could get a decent reflection off of the water.
As I pulled into the parking lot at Erickson Park, the P&W dispatcher gave NR-2 the track between MP8 and Fairview. But NR-2 mentioned something odd – apparently they contacted the sub base, and they didn’t get permission to head through the base yet. Hmmm, so that meant they’d probably be stopping right in front of me while waiting for permission to head south through the Navy base. And with them near MP8, that put them only a few minutes from me.
About 5 minutes later, NR-2 reported to the dispatcher that they were south of MP5. So I made my way to the south end of the cove, and got into position just as the train was sounding for the Red Top crossing. A moment later, they rolled onto the causeway between the cove & the Thames River, bringing along a nice reflection
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7563] [cpg_imagefixthumb:7562]And a switch to the 20D with the wider angle lens on it, I got a shot of the train slowing down as they crossed over the inlet to the cove
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7561]Just as the trailing power was approaching milepost 4 at the top of the causeway, the train came to a stop to wait for permission to head through the sub base.
A minute or so later, they got the permission, and the two GEs began to slowly move the train (at least 25-30 cars, mostly loaded stone/sand cars). With the lead engine out of sight, I could only see the rear pushing, and leaving a smoke trail in its wake
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7560] [cpg_imagefixthumb:7559] [cpg_imagefixthumb:7558] [cpg_imagefixthumb:7557]And as the train came up to speed, the rear end let off a bit as they rolled over the inlet to the cove
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7556] [cpg_imagefixthumb:7555]As the train rolled out of sight, I got back in the truck and headed south. I figured the next best spot would be Thames River draw. Boy was I wrong, at least in the P&W sense…
I got to the parking lot overlooking the bridge just as Amtrak train 171 was hitting the Midway detector to the east. So I set up for their arrival, and got a shot of them crossing the drawbridge.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7553]Next I heard the dispatcher talking to NR-2 that he’d get them out of Groton as soon as a track car cleared – they were just inside Groton Interlocking. A few minutes later, the track car came across the drawbridge
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7552]OK, cool, NR-2 should be up next.
A few moments later, I heard over the P&W frequency “here we go” and saw some black smoke rise from the wye area. But I sat, and sat, and sat…no NR-2. Turns out they ended up going down track 4 to Tilcon – something they haven’t done in a while (NR-3 has been handling that). Also, they usually get permission to pass the stop signal at Groton from the dispatcher – this time, it sounded like they got a green signal to proceed east to track 4. Oh, well, can’t win ’em all.
While this was happening, a tug and a pair of sailboats were asking for an opening of the Thames River lift bridge. And the report back to them was that after the next eastbound train, they’d open up. Just then, horns from the west came across the Thames – Acela train 2150 was heading for Shaw’s Cove.
A minute or so later, as 2150 was heading onto the bridge on the New London side, I got a shot with one of the waiting sailboats
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7551]Then a shot of the head end crossing the span
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7550]And finally the trailing power car, and a few moored boats at a marina upriver (provided by Keys Boat Rental)
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7549]Now for the boats, and me, to wait for the Acela to clear the block so the bridge can open.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7548]While waiting, the EB boat headed north
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7547]Then finally the bridge began to open up
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7546]A bit higher
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7545]And finally open enough for the tug and the sailboats to pass beneath
[cpg_imagefixthumb:7544]Then it was time to head back for the rest of the day. Not a bad quick trip out, despite the misstep.
Thanks for looking!
Tom
