Kris and I arrived at the famous East Deerfield Yard just as Norfolk Southern/Pan Am Southern’s Chicago-Ayer, Mass., intermodal train was rolling though.

We drove east to Farley, location of some Boston & Maine era General Railway Signal searchlight style signals. Once common on many railroads , the searchlight has been out of favor for more than 30 years and today relatively few remain. These are note worthy because they feature ‘G’ plates (for grade), which changes how the most restictive aspect should be interpreted.

When we arrived, the roar of the eastward train filled the valley.

I quickly set up my 3Pod tripod with Nikon Z7-II and made a series of time exposures as the train passed the signals and road crossing.

Soon the NS intermodal train will be routed over CSX’s former Boston & Albany line via Palmer and Worcester. I wonder how much longer the old signals will last?

Tracking the Light Posts Every Day!