Back to the old, ‘f5.6 and be there’. (While paying close attention to the signals and scanner).
Lately CSX’s freight operations on the old Boston & Albany have been largely nocturnal.
Mondays on the other hand can prove busy in the morning.
February 8, 2016: I wasn’t out for the day, but rather running some errands. As always, I had my Lumix at the ready. Snow was forecast and it was beginning to flurry.
On my way through East Brookfield, I took the time to check the signals at CP64.
These were lit: “Limited Clear” westbound. I knew a train must be close.
Soon I could hear the clatter of cars descending Charlton Hill. Then affirmation on the radio, ‘Q427 clear signal main to main CP60’.
I made my photographs. But a few minutes later I heard that Q427 had stopped west of milepost 72 owing to difficulties with the locomotives.
That’s Warren, 72 miles west of South Station, Boston.
Q427 had to meet two eastward trains at CP83 (Palmer).
I continued to follow west, while making photographs along the way. Like shooting fish in a barrel.
I made a few photos of the first meet, then opted to head back up the Quaboag Valley rather than stay put.
The snow was now getting heavy and it wasn’t getting any warmer.
This was a heavy train. And despite the snow, it was easy enough to follow up the grade to Warren.
It was just 18 degrees at the Warren station.
That’s good enough for my morning errands!
All photos nominally adjusted for contrast and saturation in post processing.
Hi Paul,
I think he was in the dispatchers office and on the locomotives, thus orchestrating a near perfect sequence of events for me to get the best possible images.
BS
Personally I don’t believe in editing photos for content in post processing; but minor alterations to color balance and saturation is probably ok.
I have my own theories on the Palmer passenger service, but these tend to be influenced by those more in the know than me. (Don’t but a ticket just yet).
The dramatic meet photo at the Steaming Tender would look good framed and displayed there. Is it legit to process out that white roadsign and to boost the red signal lights a little more?
My bet is that the crucial switch right in front of the Steaming Tender may be the reason Blake won’t be able to get his station to be the Palmer stop when commuter trains begin a Boston Springfield run, since CSX won’t be able to run around the commuter train when stopped there. Hope I’m wrong!
Such a fascinating, detail-rich sequence. Good story!
I’d like to think Bob Buck was with you in the car on this chase… Doubtless he would have loved it and had the same questions about the Anthracite too.