On the evening of my birthday, I received an unexpected surprise.

Following a celebratory dinner in Port Deposit, Maryland, we rolled by Norfolk Southern’s 594-unit coal train and chased it to Perryville, where we photographed a few Amtrak trains. Only then did we learn that NS symbol freight 38V (Enola to Baltimore) was also on the move eastward on the Port Road Branch, following the coal train. Aiming to intercept it, we drove back toward Port Deposit. Along the way, we learned that 38V had tripped the high-and-wide detector and come to a stop at West Rock, railroad west of Port Deposit.

We caught up with the train at the Canal Road crossing, where it was receiving assistance from a member of the mechanical department.

I’m always ready for an opportunity. I parked the car near the Canal Road grade crossing, rapidly deployed my Nikon Z6-III on the 3Pod tripod, and aimed to make the most of the grade-crossing signals and the lights from the mechanical department’s truck on the far side of the crossing.

Soon, 38V, with its trainload of new tractors, was on the roll again, and I made the most of this opportunity as well. As you do. After all, you only do sixty once.

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