{"id":3192,"date":"2013-07-14T07:14:36","date_gmt":"2013-07-14T11:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=3192"},"modified":"2013-07-14T19:37:11","modified_gmt":"2013-07-14T23:37:11","slug":"state-line-tunnel-canaan-new-york-july-9-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/state-line-tunnel-canaan-new-york-july-9-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"State Line Tunnel, Canaan, New York July 9, 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Brand New General Electric Locomotives at a Classic Location.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"CSX<\/a>
CSX eastward Q012 at State Line Tunnel on the morning of July 9, 2013. Despite its name, the tunnel is actually several miles west of the New York-Massachusetts border. Canon EOS 7D with 40mm pancake lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the morning of July 9, 2013, I visited State Line Tunnel on CSX\u2019s former Boston & Albany mainline. This is a favorite place to catch trains in action on the line.<\/p>\n

The air was heavy with moisture and as a result sound carried exceptionally well. I arrived at my location at 6:48 am. At 6:54, I could hear an eastward train blowing for a crossing near Chatham, New York, approximately 10 miles to the west (as per the timetable). At 6:56, the train reported a \u2018clear\u2019 signal aspect over the scanner.<\/p>\n

Since the only signal in the area is located at CP 171 (the control point east end of the siding at East Chatham) I knew the train was about to cross the New York State Thruway. I then could trace the progress of the train as it sounded for various crossings in Canaan. By 7:04 am, I could cleared hear the engines working upgrade.<\/p>\n

A 7:08, CSX\u2019s intermodal train Q012 came into view. In the lead were three factory-clean General Electric \u2018Evolution-Series\u2019 diesel-electrics in the 3100-series (model ES44AC). As modelers might say, \u2018right out of the box.\u2019 Nice!<\/p>\n

\"CSX<\/a>
A motor drive has its advantages. I made a sequence of images as the Q012 roared eastward. Canon EOS 7D with 40mm pancake lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"New<\/a>
This is my favorite of the three images. I like the foliage in the foreground which adds depth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The train roared into the tunnel below me as I exposed a sequence of images with my Canon EOS 7D and 40mm pancake lens. I\u2019d brought a tripod, but opted not to use it, as hand held gave me greater flexibility.<\/p>\n

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About 40 minutes later, I heard a westward train sounding for Stateline crossing. I relocated, and made images of CSX light engines exiting the west portal of the tunnel.<\/p>\n

Until late-1988, this line had directional double track. Since then, just a single main track passes through the tunnel. The railroad uses the 1912-era bore, leaving the older 1840s-era bore void of track.<\/p>\n

\"State<\/a>
Headlights gleam inside State Line Tunnel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"State<\/a>
State Line Tunnel is a relatively short bore. The twin tunnels were built decades apart, and at one time both bores had twin tracks in them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"New<\/a>
The tighter view gives a better view of the new engine but obscures the older tunnel portal. Why make one photo when three will do?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
SERVICE NOTICE: Tracking the Light will soon be undergoing an upgrade which may result in a temporary service disruption of a day or more.<\/span><\/h6>\n
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