Shootin’ in the Rain

Despite the crappy weather today, I did manage to get out for a brief walk and caught Providence & Worcester train NR-2 in Ledyard amongst the raindrops.

As I pulled into the parking area at Erickson Park in Ledyard, NR-2 was reporting that they were finished in Norwich, restored all switches to the main and were on the move southbound with about 15 minutes to go before getting to the sub base. So I grabbed my umbrella and walked around a bit, checking the angles and color on the trees. With some still lackluster color, gloomy skies and the rain, I figured on a series of shots near the boat launch by the park. That and I didn’t really feel like standing around in the rain. So I headed back to the car for a few minutes as NR-2 got closer to me.

As soon as the radio woke up with Rod’s voice as the train cleared milepost 5, I got out and stood by the water’s edge waiting for NR-2s imminent arrival. Moments after the horns sounded for Red Top, NR-2 pulled onto the causeway between Mill Cove and the Thames River. The first shot was a wider one, incorporating some of the foliage along the shore of the cove.

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Then even wider, this time getting more of the cove as the rain fell

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Next came the fun part – swapping lenses in the pouring rain! Even with the umbrella, it was a tricky move trying to change lenses while keeping the umbrella over my head, and all the time making sure not to drop anything in the drink! Once the wide angle was off, and the telephoto on, I got a shot of the lead power heading for the south end of the cove

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Then a shot of the trailing power bringing up the markers, as the rain continued in earnest

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And finally a pair of shots as the train slipped into the treeline at the south end of the cove. On the tail end was a string of empty P&W MoW hoppers, presumably heading to Tilcon for loads of ballast.

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At that point I got back into the car, dried off the gear and started back south. I figured it was worth a try to get them crossing the Thames River in the rain. But as I got onto Military Highway at the south end of the Sub Base, the Amtrak Shore Line dispatcher made my decision for me. He was holding NR-2 at the Groton signal for a while – 171 was running “tardy”, and there was two other trains in the picture. So instead of sticking around, I opted to head back to the dry confines of my office for the remainder of the day.

Thanks for looking!
Tom