The leaves along Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley have begun to turn.

Last night, Kris, Seamus, and I went on the latest of our Port Road forays. We drove first to Washington Boro to inspect the signals, that hinted of eastbound traffic (downriver). Then we continued west to River Front Park in Marietta, where we often wait for trains.

After a little while, the roar of an eastbound began to swell in the valley. For more than ten minutes, we listened to the approaching sounds of freight cars and the chug of a GE diesel. This was Norfolk Southern’s 36A, bound for Edgemoor, Delaware, a train we’ve often seen at night.

By the time it reached Vinegar Ferry Road, it had a good roll-on, so we followed along. Passing Columbia, we were still about 30 cars ahead of the head end. We were even with 36A by the time we passed Washington Boro eastbound. Kris suggested that we try to catch the train somewhere different down the valley. So we navigated our way to Holtwood, an interlocking near a dam along the river, located toward the end of a dead-end road.

We’d visited there previously in daylight and found it uninspiring. The tracks are largely surrounded by chain-link fences, and high-voltage wires fill the sky. However, Holtwood takes on another character in the gloom of night.

NS 36A was going to be held at the Holtwood crossovers, providing a photographic opportunity.

I made a view of the crossovers to my east and waited for the train to crawl into view. Finally, it peaked around the bend, and lights brightly illuminated the mid-October foliage while darkness obscured most of the fencing.

The train stopped well short of the signals and dimmed its headlights. It was going to be a long wait, so we headed for home.

Tracking the Light Explores Railroad Night Photography!