It was my second visit to Eagle Bridge, New York inside a week.
On this visit, We’d driven here on spec looking for Pan Am’s EDRJ (East Deerfield to Rotterdam Junction). No luck with that this time, but on arrival I’d noted that there were loaded grain cars on the interchange for the Battenkill Railroad.
So what?
Well, the Battenkill is known to run on weekdays; this was a Friday, its interchange had been delivered, but as of 1:30pm the Battenkill hadn’t come down to collect it yet.
The Battenkill’s primary attraction is its continued operation of vintage Alco RS-3 diesels. While the RS-3 was among the most common types built in the 1950s, only a scant few survive in traffic today outside of museums. (Perhaps a reader can supply a list?).
Battenkill, while quaint in its operation, is not a museum, but rather a functioning freight-hauling short line railroad. see: Unexpected Surprise: Stumbling on to one of New York’s Rarest Railway Operations.
Photographer Paul Goewey, who was traveling with me, looked up the Battenkill’s radio information on his smart phone.
“We’ll go up the line and see if we can find the BK.”
So we drove ten yards and over the grade crossing near the old station and . . .
“There he is!”
That was easy, now wasn’t it?
![Batten kill's old RS-3 chortles its way up the interchange tracks. On the right is the old Boston & Maine station at Eagle Bridge, New York. Exposed on Ilford HP5 using a Leica 3A with Nikkor 35mm lens. Film processed using a two bath HC110 developer mix in a Jobo processing machine.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/©Brian-Solomon-582686.jpg?resize=474%2C299)
![Digital image at Eagle Bridge exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1 with 18-135mm lens.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Battenkill_RR_RS-3_4116_Eagle-Bridge_NY_DSCF8644.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Battenkill collects part of its interchange.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/©Brian-Solomon-582690.jpg?resize=474%2C310)
![Alco diesels are famous for their exhaust.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Battenkill_RR_RS-3_4116_Eagle-Bridge_NY_DSCF8668.jpg?resize=474%2C711)
![Looks like someone came prepared for the day! I exposed this with my Leica 3A on HP5 (processed as described above.).](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/©Brian-Solomon-582696.jpg?resize=474%2C310)
![Battenkill's former Delaware & Hudson RS-3 is still lettered for the Greenwich & Johnsonville, a shoreline that operated the route prior to Battenkill.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/©Brian-Solomon-582699.jpg?resize=474%2C305)
![I thought I'd try a low angle.](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Battenkill_RR_RS-3_4116_Eagle-Bridge_NY_DSCF8651.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![Now there's some Alco exhaust!](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Battenkill_RR_RS-3_4116_Eagle-Bridge_NY_DSCF8675.jpg?resize=474%2C341)
Battenkill runs as required but Tracking the Light Runs Daily.
For Alco-holics, the vertical image.
For overall atmosphere, the final image on the level crossing.
Thanks a million. I’ll seek out more Alcos for future posts.
BS
I do love the shot ( low profile) with the locos Orange color contrasting beautifully with the blue sky! Nice dramatic angle .That is a keeper for sure! I should say there are no bad pictures of an Alco… Just can’t be done ! At least not by you !
It’s always interesting to see “vintage power” still in use! Wish I lived close enough to visit this shoreline.
Which picture do I like best? The fourth one, showing the locomotive (in color) showing some exhaust, framed vertically. CLASSIC ALCO!
I liked the one with the Greenwich and Johnsonville lettering.