It is always nice to catch an extra.

My friends and I were set up at the rock cut that in part comprises the location known as ‘Twin Ledges’ situated on the east slope of Washington Hill. This was the former Boston & Albany main line, operated by Conrail as its Boston Line.

The trees had just a leafed out on May 24, 1987, when I made this image of a laden Conrail BAL (ballast) extra ascending the grade behind a consist of GE C30-7As.

Long after the train had squeeled through the reverse curves, we could hear its locomotives chugging west toward Washington Summit near Hinsdale, Massachusetts.

Conrail was a class act that made for countless photo opportunities.

Fifty Years after it commenced operations, Tracking the Light takes a fond look back on Conrail!