Three States, Three Steam Locomotives

Strasburg Rail Road; Paradise, Pa.; December 4, 2015

Tourist railroads all across the U.S. and Canada are benefitting from the commercialization of Christmas (okay, let's not open all the negatives of that can of worms and focus on the positive) and that means Santa Claus trains or something similar are a huge part of a railroad's bottom line. And for the railroads that rely on steam, that means steam operations at night. And for the railroad photographer, that opens up a lot of photo possibilites (see, I told you we'd get to the positive).

I had the chance to photograph three steam operations in three adjacent states -- all on one weekend. The Strasburg Rail Road in Pennsylvania operates one "The Night Before Christmas" train each Friday evening in December. The Wilmington & Western in Delaware doesn't run night steam powered trains, but its locomotive is necessary to keep the steam-heated coaches on the daytime trains warm, and that means the locomotive is fired up over the weekend. And the Black River & Western runs several "The North Pole Express" trains each Saturday and Sunday in December, including one departure each day after dark. Let the photography begin!

The Strasburg Rail Road only operates one train a night on one day a week, so that meant I needed to make more than one trip to Lancaster County. On Friday, December 4, I photographed the train (above) as it passed through Cherry Hill (the sign on the station says "Population 17 More or Less;" the onboard narration explains that it's more when the train gets there and less when the train leaves, although the popularity of the corn maze Cherry Crest Farm keeps the population pretty high in the fall). This was actually my second choice of where to shoot that night, as I had wanted to do the shelter at the railroad's picnic area at Groff's Grove; alas, winter track work had the area around Groff's all torn up.

The next weekend I had a three-railroad strategy all in place. Friday found me back at the Strasburg for the prime shot on the railroad -- the bridge over Pumpkinville Turnpike (actually a dirt farm lane) near Paradise. I checked in with the landowner during the day and got permission to be on his property, and began my set-up at about 6:30. Like the previous week, the power was Strasburg's ex-Norfolk & Western 4-8-0 pulling a monster 11-car train. The engine runs tender-first on the outbound trip, giving me a chance to test my flashes and set-up. On the return to Strasburg, No. 475 put on quite a show climbing the grade out of Paradise. As it crossed the bridge I fired the shot and had the first steam locomotive of the week in the bag.

Strasburg Rail Road; Paradise, Pa.; December 11, 2015

Wilmington & Western's ex-Mississippi Central 4-4-0 No. 98 was next on the list, scheduled for Saturday night. The locomotive has a mechanical issue that keeps it from moving under its own power, but the railroad needs the steam it produces to charge the steam lines in the coaches for its daytime runs. With No. 98 needed to provide steam on Saturday and Sunday, it would be hot overnight on Saturday, so the railroad scheduled a night photography event. Volunteer Tommy Gears rounded up antique trucks and actors and it created quite the scene. The shoot took place at the W&W's shop in Marshallton.

Wilmington & Western; Marshalltown, Del.; December 12, 2015

A second view shows the combine loading, a passenger boarding, and the railroad crew chatting.

Wilmington & Western; Marshallton, Del.; December 12, 2015

With the wide shots out of the way, we moved in closer for some detailed shots. The locomotive crew looks on as some female workers tend to the 4-4-0. During World War II it was not uncommon to find women working in rail yards while many men were away.

Wilmington & Western; Marshallton, Del.; December 12, 2015

With the women decked out in their railroad worker attire, we retreated into the railroad's shop for some more "Rosie the Riveter" scenes using an under-restoration 0-6-0 as a backdrop.

Wilmington & Western; Marshalltown, Del.; December 12, 2015

That brings us to Sunday night. Black River & Western has "The North Pole Express" running throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, but three moves are done after dark. The 5:00 train leaves Flemington for the North Pole (actually, Ringoes where the railroad's shop is located). It then departs the North Pole at 7:00 to head back to Flemington, although the locomotive runs tender-first, making the shot less than desirable. Finally, the empty train deadheads from Flemington back to Ringoes sometime after 7:30. I had done some static night photography with a diesel at the abandoned Hunterdon Concrete plant just outside Ringoes, and set up there for a non-static steam shot on December 13. Black River & Western uses an ex-Great Western 2-8-0 that used to haul sugar beets in Colorado.

Black River & Western; Ringoes, N.J.; December 13, 2015

When doing night photography, you really need a "prop" of some sort so you don't have just the train peeking out of the darkness. The Black River & Western is not loaded with props -- a couple of nice bridges are either hard to access or blocked by trees -- so you have to improvise. For the 7:30 deadhead move I wound up at Toad Lane, once again just outside Ringoes, where a convenient grassy knoll gave me some elevation for a shot coming across the grade crossing.

Black River & Western; Ringoes, N.J.; December 13, 2015

With only one weekend left before Christmas, I may not get many more opportunities to shoot steam at night this year. But I have enjoyed getting some fun images this year!

Photos from this post can be purchased here.

Farewell To the U34CH

New Jersey Transit; Mountain Lakes, N.J.; August 27, 1994

On New Jersey's commuter roster was a unique locomotive model -- the U34CH diesel built by General Electric in 1970. The 32 units were purchased by New Jersey's Department of Transportation for use on lines operated by Erie Lackawanna. The EL was merged into Conrail in 1976, and Conrail spun commuter operations off to New Jersey Transit in 1983. By the early 1990s, the units were getting old and ready for retirement. To send them off properly, NJ Transit teamed up with the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey for an excursion covering over 180 miles on August 27, 1994.

After departing Hoboken Terminal, the special train headed to Netcong on the Boonton Line. On the west end was U34CH No. 4172 in the traditional blue and silver paint scheme most of the locomotives wore during their service lives; on the east end was U34CH No. 4176 in NJT's silver "disco" scheme, one of seven units to get that treatment. The first photo stop was made at Mountain Lakes (above) featuring the 4176. The photo line watched the train pull by with 4172 on the west end (below).

New Jersey Transit; Mountain Lakes, N.J.; August 27, 1994

The next stop was at the end of the Boonton Line at Netcong (which is actually west of Boonton). The 4176 was once again the featured power for the shot.

New Jersey Transit; Netcong, N.J.; August 27, 1994

From here the train reversed back almost to Hoboken to West End, where the train swung north on the Main Line towards Suffern, New York. A photo and lunch stop was made at Ridgewood with No. 4172 looking good pointing south into the sun. The U34CHs lost their Erie Lackawanna nose herald after going to Conrail, but Frank Etzel of the URHS added a temporary EL herald to the front of 4172 for the day.

New Jersey Transit; Ridgewood, N.J.; August 27, 1994

After lunch the train continued north to the end of the Main Line at Suffern (NJ Transit trains continue past this point to Port Jervis, N.Y., under contract with Metro North). Another photo stop was made at Suffern as the train prepared to return south.

New Jersey Transit; Suffern, N.Y.; August 26, 1994

Reversing back south, the train went to Rutherford on the Bergen County Line, with another photo stop at the Radburn station, once again featuring 4172.

New Jersey Transit; Radburn, N.J.; August 26, 1994

At Rutherford, the train headed outbound again, this time on the Pascack Valley Line to Spring Valley, N.Y. The train then used the Pascack Valley Line and Main Line to ultimately return to Hoboken Terminal. A photo stop was made on the Pascack Valley Line at Oradell, N.J.

New Jersey Transit; Oradell, N.J.; August 26, 1994

The final photo stop was at Harmon Cove on the way back into Hoboken. The trip was advertised to return at 6:30 p.m., but it rolled into Hoboken at 5:50, a full 40 minutes early!

New Jersey Transit; Harmon Cove, N.J.; August 26, 1994

After dinner a few friends and I decided to do a "what the heck..." and wandered to Hoboken Terminal to ask if we could wander into the yard for some night shots of the U34CHs. Much to our surprise, they said "yes." We started with the 4172.

New Jersey Transit; Hoboken, N.J.; August 26, 1994

We next turned our attention to the 4176, with the 4172 in the background.

New Jersey Transit; Hoboken, N.J.; August 26, 1994

Our night finished up with the 4172 next to another veteran unit -- former Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 No. 4877, which finished its career with NJ Transit and was being held at Hoboken for preservation by the United Railroad Historical Society.

New Jersey Transit; Hoboken, N.J.; August 26, 1994

The U34CH locomotives would actually hang on in regular service for a few more months before being retired. Some saw later service for SEPTA in Philadelphia, while some were sold to Mexico, and others were scrapped. Only No. 4172, which ran on this trip, survives in the United States. It is now in the care of the United Railroad Historical Society, which is returning it to operating condition with its original number, Erie Lackawanna No. 3372.

Photos from this post can be purchased here.

Canadian National Mixed Train

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Milford, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

Mixed trains were at one time a part of branchline railroading. On lines that saw little traffic, the local freight train would sometimes carry a passenger coach on the rear, making it a mixed passenger and freight train. You didn't want to be going anywhere fast on a mixed train, as the train would pause to switch out its freight customers along the way. Today, only one mixed train remains in the U.S. and Canada, operating in far north Ontario.

On November 14, 2015, the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley brought back the days of mixed trains with a special excursion operated for photographers out of Milford, N.Y. On the point was the railroad's rare S7 diesel, built by Montreal Locomotive Works in November 1957 and freshly painted for its original owner, Canadian National Railway. The train behind the locomotive consisted of five freight cars and a rider coach. The train departed Milford and headed north, first stopping at the "lighthouse" behind Pop's ice cream stand (above).

The train was set up so the coach would be on the rear for the southbound trip, taking advantage of sun angles for the photographers. Alas, there was no sun on this day. Just south of Cooperstown the S7 ran around the train to get on the south end to have the train arranged properly for the return trip.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Cooperstown, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

Heading south, a photo stop was made at the abandoned road bridge at Phoenix Mills. A variety of angles was available here for photographers to work in the trusses of the old bridge.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Phoenix Mills, Cooperstown, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

Next was a stop at another through truss bridge, this one used by the railroad (and still in use, obviously) at Hartwick Seminary. The bridge over the Susquehanna River is located just north of the multi-diamond Dreams Park, a baseball camp. Cooperstown is generally regarded as the birthplace of baseball and is the location of the sport's Hall of Fame.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Hartwick Seminary, Cooperstown, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

Back at Pop's ice cream stand, the mixed train was string out on the long fill next to the pond. Other photo stops and runbys were held during the day. There were two stops going north, the runaround in Cooperstown, a stop at the north end of track in Cooperstown, and four stops coming back south.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Milford, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

The lack of sun doesn't matter after sunset, when night photography can be done. After a pizza dinner break at the Milford station, the train headed back north again to Pop's for a photo out on the line.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Milford, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

Back in Milford, the locomotive was cut away from its train and posed in front of the depot. The line is a former Delaware & Hudson branch. Conductor Bruce Hodges checks on the 8223 at the station.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Milford, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

On its way back to the shop area, No. 8223 once again paused for a quick photo by the bed & breakfast that sits across the tracks from the depot.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Milford, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

Finally, the trip finished with a photo of the roster of the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley. Joining S7 No. 8223 were former Metro North FL9 No. 2029 (built by Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1957 as New Haven No. 2037) and Montreal Locomotive Works S4 No. 3051 (built in 1956 as Canadian National No. 8181).

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Milford, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

Despite the gloomy weather during the day, the 20 photographers on board and the crew had a great time. It was enjoyable to step back into the days of mixed trains for a few hours.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley; Milford, N.Y.; November 14, 2015

Photos from this post can be purchased here.

Trolleys At Night

D.C. Transit 1304, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

The Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, boasts one of the largest (if not the largest) vintage streetcar collections in the country. Originally concentrating on New England, the collection has expanded to cover most of the U.S., and there are even some international cars in the collection. Each year the museum hosts a night photo event, coordinated by Joey Kelly, and because of the scope of the collection, seldom are the same cars used two years in a row. This year's event was on November 7, and a whole new set of cars from last year was used for the set-ups.

The scenes began with D.C. Transit No. 1304, the most modern of the cars we would photograph on the evening. The car was built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1941 for operation in Washington, D.C. We started with a scene of passengers boarding the car (above), then moved inside for interior shots (below).

D.C. Transit No. 1304, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

From Washington, we next moved on to Philadelphia with Lehigh Valley Transit car No. 1030. This car was built by American Car & Foundry for the Indiana Railroad. Converted to a parlor car with plush seating, it eventually found its way to LVT, where it was dubbed the Liberty Bell Limited for express service between Allentown and Norristown, Pa. The illuminated drumhead on the back is a nice touch.

Lehigh Valley Transit No. 1030, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

We also photographed the front of the car as it posed by the museum's section house. Arundel is the name of the township where the museum resides.

Lehigh Valley Transit No. 1030, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

Next up for the night was a stop at the museum's Tower C. This tower, built in 1901, served the Boston Elevated until 1938. When it was slated for demolition in 1975, the museum purchased the tower and moved it by barge from Boston to Kennebunkport. For a scene of the tower, a car that passed it many times in regular service was recruited for the shot -- Boston Elevated 01000, built by Wason Manufacturing in 1928.

Boston Elevated 01000, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

From here we hopped on one of the vintage streetcars and rode to about the midpoint of the museum's trackage to Meserve's Crossing. We paused here to photograph car No. 639 of the Wheeling (W.Va.) Traction Co. No. 639 is a curve-side car built by the Cincinnati Car Co. in 1924.

Wheeling Traction Co. No. 639, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

Moving further west (equipment-wise), our next subject was Twin Cities Rapid Transit Co. No. 1267 from Minnesota. This car was home-built by TCRT in 1907. The Twin Cities streetcar lines met a rapid demise in the early 1950s -- 400 miles of streetcar trackage was abandoned in only 22 months.

Twin Cities Rapid Transit Co. No 1267, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

The next target of our cameras hailed from Chicagoland. Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee No. 755 was built by Standard Steel Car Co. in 1930 and was capable of speeds up to 80 miles per hour.

Twin Cities Rapid Transit Co. No 1267, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

It was back to New England for the next piece of equipment, an electric locomotive used in freight service. Atlantic Shore Line steeple cab No. 100 was built by Laconia Car Company in 1906. Interestingly, the museum's railroad is located on the old Atlantic Shore Line right-of-way, so this car is actually operating where it historically did in service.

Atlantic Shore Line Railway No. 100, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

We didn't get a chance to show off Wheeling Traction Co. No. 639 as well as we would have liked at Meserve's Crossing, so we posed it on a grade crossing for a proper portrait.

Wheeling Traction Co. No. 639, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

Finally, we were back at the museum's visitor's center. For the finale on the evening, we posed two cars together at the trolley loop. Car No. 4387 is a semi-convertible built for the Bay State Street Railway by Laconia Car Co. in 1918; it eventually went to the Boston Elevated. Car No. 5821 is also a semi-convertible (Boston "Type 5"), built by Brill in 1924 for the Boston Elevated. The two Boston Elevated veterans capped off our evening at the museum.

Boston Elevated Nos. 4387 and 5821, Seashore Trolley Museum; Kennebunkport, Maine; November 7, 2015

Thanks to all the museum volunteers who moved equipment and posed for photos. Thanks to Joey Kelly for all his coordinating efforts. And thanks to Michael T. Burkhart for his assistance with the lighting.

You can purchase prints of the photos in this post here.

Third Time's A Charm

NJ Transit; Port Jervis, N.Y.; October 21, 2015

When I visited Port Jervis, New York, a year ago, the old signals from the days of the Erie Railroad still protected the siding leading into town, but replacement signals were standing. A year later, and somehow the Erie signals were still surviving. I made it my mission to capture a photo I didn't get around to doing a year ago.

First some background. The line to Port Jervis is the old Erie Railroad mainline between New York and Chicago. In the merger with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western in the early 1960s the Erie was somewhat chopped up as the new Erie Lackawanna shed redundant trackage. The line took a severe downturn in 1981 when the EL was merged into Conrail. Today the eastern end of the Erie between Hoboken, N.J., and Binghamton, N.Y., sees commuter trains from Hoboken to Port Jervis. Freight service through Port Jervis is down to one trackage rights train from the New York, Susquehanna & Western, which traverses the line westbound on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, and eastbound on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights (although the westbounds usually get to Port Jervis after midnight). The shot I wanted was a Susquehanna train passing the Erie signals.

My first attempt was on October 21, trying to take advantage of the fall foliage. The commuter trains are a joint operation between New Jersey Transit and Metro North Railroad, since the first half the of the journey is primarily in New Jersey (from Hoboken to  Suffern, N.Y.) while the second half is entirely in New York to Port Jervis. Because of the joint nature of the operation, motive power from both railroads can be seen. I shot the 9:27 train that departs east on this evening (above) with the trees showing just a brief bit of color, even this late in the season. The train was pushed by NJT ALP45-DP No. 4527, a dual mode locomotive that can operate as a diesel, but can also operate as an electric from overhead wires where they are present. Alas, for some reason my camera lost its focus, so when Susquehanna showed up at 12:03 a.m., the shot was fuzzy and useless.

The second attempt came on November 4. I got to Port Jervis early to shoot the semi-frequent commuter trains that come in. Expecting Susquehanna after 10:00 sometime, I had some time to try different angles with the commuter trains before moving to the Erie signals. ALP45-DP No. 4524 led a train past the old Erie depot in town (the commuter trains stop at a plexi-glass shelter just west of the old station).

N.J. Transit; Port Jervis, N.Y.; November 4, 2015

The next arriving train had one of Metro North's spiffy F40 locomotives leading.

Metro North; Port Jervis, N.Y.; November 4, 2015

With the station shot in the bag, I moved on to what appeared to be some trees with color still in them just east of the station. Sadly, it looked better in the dark than it did illuminated by flash. Metro North GP40FH-2 No. 4904 led a train into town.

Metro North; Port Jervis, N.Y.; November 4, 2015

Moving up to the signals, the trees were nice and colorful. My test subject before Susquehanna arrived was a train led by Metro North GP40FH-2 No. 4900. I was ready.

Metro North; Port Jervis, N.Y.; November 4, 2015

Somehow once again, though, my camera's focus went astray before Susquehanna rolled through at 12:06 a.m. The resulting shot was once again fuzzy....

Determined to make this work, I went back again five days later, on November 9. I knew Susquehanna was running earlier, and this time I was determined to get it. I set my camera up on a tripod, adjusted the focus and waited. A parade of commuter trains went past my lens, led by NJ Transit GP40PH-2B No. 4206.

NJ Transit; Port Jervis, N.Y.; November 9, 2015

Most of the colorful leaves were gone, but one almost-dead tree was hanging in right near where the locomotives would be for the shot. It was better than nothing... Next up was a westbound behind Metro North F40 No. 4910.

Metro North; Port Jervis, N.Y.; November 9, 2015

The commuter trains run every 30 minutes or so until about 9:00, so I figured Susquehanna would probably not show up until after then. The next commuter train drifted into town just a bit before 9:00 with NJ Transit PL42AC No. 4008 leading.

NJ Transit; Port Jervis, N.Y.; November 9, 2015

Normally after the 9:00 train the eastbound signal would flip to green in anticipation of the departure of the 9:27 train. The signal stayed red, however... Was there something behind the 4008? Susquehanna, maybe? At 9:20 a headlight appeared from around the curve. Show time.... Camera on, wait for it... And fire!

New York, Susquehanna & Western; Port Jervis, N.Y.; November 9, 2015

Got it. Finally. The train headed through town with SD60 No. 3800 leading a matched consist of four Susquehanna locomotives. It was time to pack up the camera and head back home. Mission accomplished!

Photos in this post can be purchased here.

Trains At Lock 10

One of the most pleasant locations in the east to watch trains is in the middle of New York State, about halfway between Albany and Utica. CSX tracks hug the north shore of the Mohawk River for much of run between the two cities, and just a couple of miles east of Amsterdam is Lock 10.

CSX Transportation; Lock 10, Amsterdam, N.Y.; October 23, 2015

CSX Transportation; Lock 10, Amsterdam, N.Y.; October 23, 2015

The lock is located on the south side of the river, which is where the parking area is. If any boats come by to use the lock, you have a front-row seat as they are raised or lowered to proceed further along the Mohawk.

Amtrak; Lock 10, Amsterdam, N.Y.; October 23, 2015

It should be noted that there are no shade trees here, and parking is out in the sun. If the weather is pleasant, you can unpack a sports chair and enjoy the sun and the breeze off the river. In hot or cold weather, you can take refuge in your car. If you have a radio scanner that picks up railroads, you will get plenty of warning for trains so you can get out of your car and set up. The signals at milepost 173 are just west of this location; there is a defect detector at milepost 177 that will give you a few minutes warning for trains coming east. Most trains also call all the signals on the line over the radio, so you'll hear approaching westbounds call the 169 and 171 signals as they approach you. The frequency you'll want to monitor is 160.800.

Amtrak; Lock 10, Amsterdam, N.Y.; October 23, 2015

Fall is a good time to visit, as the weather is nice enough to be outside and the stand of trees behind the tracks turn awesome colors.

Amtrak; Lock 10, Amsterdam, N.Y.; October 23, 2015

You can wander around to get angles from both sides of the dam. The area is public access, so there is no problem with wandering around. Be aware that there are no railings along the river just west of the lock itself, so you'll need to keep an eye if you have kids with you.

Amtrak; Amsterdam, N.Y.; October 23, 2015

If you need necessities you can find convenience stores at the New York Thruway entrance just a couple of miles to the west. If you want food (more than convenience store food), you'll need to venture into Amsterdam, north of the Thruway entrance. The tracks hug the Mohawk into Amsterdam. The Amtrak depot is on the west end of town. The photo above was taken just east of the station.

Amtrak; Lock 10, Amsterdam, N.Y.; October 23, 2015

This railroad, currently owned by CSX Transportation, was once a part of the famed Water Level Route of the New York Central, so called because much of the line follows the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers as it leaves New York City; later, the route follows the shore of Lake Erie. This low-level route to Chicago was in contrast to rival Pennsylvania Railroad's New York-Chicago route that tackled the Allegheny Mountains further south.

Amtrak; Lock 10, Amsterdam, N.Y.; October 23, 2015

I spent the day at Lock 10 on October 23, 2015. Always up for a challenge, I decided to try some night photography. I set up three Alien Bees B800 studio strobes along the south bank and aimed them across the Mohawk. When I fired them, I couldn't really see any effect by just looking. But the secret to modern night photography is you need just enough photons for a digital camera to pick them up, and I was pleasantly surprised to see my camera was indeed finding the photons. I finished off with a night scene of Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited, bound for Chicago, passing by. Consider a visit to Lock 10 -- it's a great place to watch trains.

Photos in this post can be purchased here.