{"id":3217,"date":"2013-07-18T07:15:33","date_gmt":"2013-07-18T11:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=3217"},"modified":"2013-07-17T10:24:02","modified_gmt":"2013-07-17T14:24:02","slug":"seeking-the-elusive-orange-engines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/seeking-the-elusive-orange-engines\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeking the Elusive Orange Engine(s)."},"content":{"rendered":"

New England Central 3015 on the Prowl.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"New<\/a>
New England Central\u2019s elusive GP40L 3015 pierces the gloom at Palmer with its headlights. Time exposure with Canon EOS 7D<\/a> fitted with f2.8 200mm lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s always nice to be the first to catch a freshly painted locomotive on its maiden run. Or, failing that, to at least see it in its first few days of operation. Or weeks.<\/p>\n

When you regularly observe railway operations, often you get lucky and stumble upon new things as they happen.<\/p>\n

When I\u2019m in New England, I regularly check New England Central to see what\u2019s going on. I\u2019ve been observing the railroad on and off since its days as the Central Vermont. My earlier posts have reflected this on-going interest.<\/p>\n

Lately, it seemed as just about everyone has seen one of the railroad\u2019s freshly painted orange engines . Everyone, that is, except me.<\/p>\n

A few months ago, Genesee & Wyoming<\/a> took control of New England Central\u2019s parent company, Rail America, and to make its mark on the new properties it rapidly began placing locomotives in G&W corporate colors.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been familiar with Genesee & Wyoming since the days when its was just a New York State short line moving salt from the mine Retsof<\/a> for interchange with Conrail.<\/p>\n

My normally good luck didn\u2019t favor my photography of G&W locomotives on New England Central. Much to my astonishment, just about everyone I know seems to have had better luck with seeing orange engines than I.<\/p>\n

A few weeks back, I had a fortuitous meeting with the retired Central Vermont trainmaster at the bank.\u00a0He was delighted to report having seen an orange engine roll through town, and keenly advised me to \u2018get some pictures, quick, before it gets dirty\u2019. Thanks.<\/em> I\u2019ll work on that.<\/p>\n

Yet, every time I\u2019ve swung by the yard, or rolled by a freight, I\u2019d see the same old blue and yellow GP38s that have ruled the railroad for 18 years. Or perhaps some of the recently acquired former Union Pacific or Florida East Coast engines.<\/p>\n

One night a few weeks back, I\u2019d been in Palmer, but skipped my normal visit trackside (owing to rain and the late hour\u2014not that this ever gave me pause before!).<\/p>\n

I was informed the next morning that the elusive orange engine had been by the yard office, just out of sight. Poor show (on my part.)<\/p>\n

Last friday I was again in Palmer (Massachusetts) to meet Rich Reed, Bill Keay & co. for dinner. Before dinner I stopped by the station. I heard a local working, and looked in my rear view mirror. And there! There it was! I made a few photos, and then returned later to make night shots.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/a>
At last, an orange engine, and holding still long enough for a time exposure portrait.
Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Luck, after all, improves with time. Right?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Caption:<\/p>\n

New England Central\u2019s elusive GP40L 3015 pierces the gloom at Palmer with its headlights. Time exposure with Canon EOS 7D fitted with f2.8 200mm lens.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At last, an orange engine, and holding still long enough for a time exposure portrait.<\/p>\n

Lumix LX3 photo.<\/p>\n

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