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Empty ethanol around the horn, along with the FRA, and FEC for flavor  Interesting day yesterday. Things started out kinda ho-hum, and I figured that I wouldn’t get a chance to head out – had a bunch of stuff at work to do, and what really iced the decision was the fact that Providence & Worcester train NR-2 was coming out of Plainfield as light engines. Oh, well, I resolved the fact that I’d be missing the nice day stuck in the confines of the office. Well, as things worked out, I did manage to get out for a bit and catch something a bit different…well, actually a few different things.
After getting into work, I got word that the P&W was running an empty ethanol extra to the New England Central, eventually getting those 80 empty ethanol cars back to the midwest. Word at that time was they were probably going to head down the Willimantic branch, and be handed off to the NECR in Willimantic. OK, guess that was out of the question for me, so I figured I’d sit back and “watch” the action from a distance.
Well, around lunchtime, I got word again that the ethanol extra was in fact heading south of Plainfield, and would be handed off to the NECR in New London. Now that changed things a bit… And as it were, I was waiting on someone across “the pond” to get something done before I could continue on my latest task, so I figured I could probably bag them at Mill Cove in Ledyard, and possibly entering the NECR in New London before having to head back, since delays and unforeseen issues are the norm on the railroad.
But yesterday was quite different, as far as “normal” railroading goes – you know, on the railroad, nothing is for sure, and Murphy’s law rules. What went differently is that things actually fell into place – PW made it down to Groton in time to make a window across the river, the Amtrak New London dispatcher sent him right over the Thames and into New London, where the NECR was waiting with a pair of engines – one NECR blue & gold GP38, and the FEC 437. It also didn’t take too long to hand the train off, and have them head north. So I was able to catch the ethanol making its way down and back up the Thames. And during all of that, a DOT extra on the NECR, which was towing the FRA inspection car, also came south along the Thames River. All in all, not a bad somewhat short time trackside.
The one thing I wanted to note and couldn’t get a picture of, though, was about the sheer size of the train (hey, for us New Englanders, an 80 car train is huge!). As the P&W was pulling across the river, by the time the tail end of the train was moving off of the Thames River drawbridge, the head end was about halfway through the New London Amtrak station. Here it is on a map (screenshot from bing.com) to give you an idea.
And now onto the good stuff. But, instead of a play-by-play, here’s the shots, all in a row. Hope you enjoy!
 Providence & Worcester empty ethanol extra pulls 80 cars onto the causeway between Mill Cove and the Thames River in Ledyard, CTREF#:20100429-03-_MG_9887.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 12:47:26 | | Aperture | f/9.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 179.00 (179/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | Providence & Worcester empty ethanol extra pulls 80 cars onto the causeway between Mill Cove and the Thames River in Ledyard, CT |
 Providence & Worcester empty ethanol extra pulls 80 cars onto the causeway between Mill Cove and the Thames River in Ledyard, CT with the Harvard Boat House in the backgroundREF#:20100429-05-_MG_9897.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 12:47:35 | | Aperture | f/9.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 100.00 (100/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | Providence & Worcester empty ethanol extra pulls 80 cars onto the causeway between Mill Cove and the Thames River in Ledyard, CT with the Harvard Boat House in the background |
 Providence & Worcester empty ethanol extra pulls 80 cars onto the causeway between Mill Cove and the Thames River in Ledyard, CTREF#:20100429-07-_MG_0698.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 12:47:27 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 23.00 (23/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | Providence & Worcester empty ethanol extra pulls 80 cars onto the causeway between Mill Cove and the Thames River in Ledyard, CT |
 Providence & Worcester empty ethanol extra pulls 80 cars over the inlet to Mill Cove in Ledyard, CTREF#:20100429-08-_MG_0711.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 12:47:36 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 18.00 (18/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | Providence & Worcester empty ethanol extra pulls 80 cars over the inlet to Mill Cove in Ledyard, CT |
 Empty ethanol continues south past Mill Cove in LedyardREF#:20100429-09-_MG_9914.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 12:48:31 | | Aperture | f/9.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 70.00 (70/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | Empty ethanol continues south past Mill Cove in Ledyard |
 The PW empty ethanol extra passes the US Navy Sub Force museum in Groton, CTREF#:20100429-11-_MG_9934.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 12:55:52 | | Aperture | f/9.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 70.00 (70/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The PW empty ethanol extra passes the US Navy Sub Force museum in Groton, CT |
 The PW empty ethanol extra passes the USS Nautilus at the Sub Force Museum in GrotonREF#:20100429-14-_MG_0733.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 12:55:44 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 18.00 (18/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The PW empty ethanol extra passes the USS Nautilus at the Sub Force Museum in Groton |
 Empty ethanol cars streaming past the USS NautilusREF#:20100429-15-_MG_0744.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 12:56:26 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 23.00 (23/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | Empty ethanol cars streaming past the USS Nautilus |
 The PW empty ethanol extra pulling into Fairview yard in GrotonREF#:20100429-21-_MG_9983.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:01:10 | | Aperture | f/9.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 70.00 (70/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The PW empty ethanol extra pulling into Fairview yard in Groton |
 The PW empty ethanol extra pulling into Fairview yard in GrotonREF#:20100429-22-_MG_0749.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:00:54 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 21.00 (21/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The PW empty ethanol extra pulling into Fairview yard in Groton |
 The PW empty ethanol extra pulling into Fairview yard in GrotonREF#:20100429-23-_MG_9992.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:01:41 | | Aperture | f/9.0 | Exposure Time | 0.003 s (1/400) | | Focal Length (mm) | 200.00 (200/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The PW empty ethanol extra pulling into Fairview yard in Groton |
 The PW empty ethanol extra starting across the Thames River drawbridgeREF#:20100429-26-_MG_0761.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:05:16 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 20.00 (20/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The PW empty ethanol extra starting across the Thames River drawbridge |
 The PW empty ethanol extra slowly pulling across Winthrop Cove in New London into the NECR's yardREF#:20100429-30-_MG_0031.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:32:33 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.003 s (1/400) | | Focal Length (mm) | 157.00 (157/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The PW empty ethanol extra slowly pulling across Winthrop Cove in New London into the NECR's yard |
 The PW empty ethanol extra slowly pulling across Winthrop Cove in New London into the NECR's yardREF#:20100429-35-_MG_0773.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:32:29 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 29.00 (29/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The PW empty ethanol extra slowly pulling across Winthrop Cove in New London into the NECR's yard |
 Ethanol moving over Winthrop Cove in New LondonREF#:20100429-37-_MG_0789.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:33:14 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 18.00 (18/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | Ethanol moving over Winthrop Cove in New London |
 Waiting at the north end of the NECR's New London yard is the NECR crew taking the train northREF#:20100429-40-_MG_0052.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:42:45 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.003 s (1/400) | | Focal Length (mm) | 200.00 (200/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | Waiting at the north end of the NECR's New London yard is the NECR crew taking the train north |
 PW continues to bring the train north, as the pair of NECR/FEC geeps pulls further north to make roomREF#:20100429-42-_MG_0066.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:44:22 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.003 s (1/400) | | Focal Length (mm) | 179.00 (179/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | PW continues to bring the train north, as the pair of NECR/FEC geeps pulls further north to make room |
 PW continues to bring the train north, as the pair of NECR/FEC geeps pulls further north to make roomREF#:20100429-44-_MG_0091.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 13:44:51 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.003 s (1/400) | | Focal Length (mm) | 87.00 (87/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | PW continues to bring the train north, as the pair of NECR/FEC geeps pulls further north to make room |
 The FRA inspection car heads south along the Thames River in Uncasville, CTREF#:20100429-46-_MG_0104.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 14:16:04 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 200.00 (200/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The FRA inspection car heads south along the Thames River in Uncasville, CT |
 The FRA inspection car heads south along the Thames River in Uncasville, CTREF#:20100429-48-_MG_0120.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 14:18:07 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 168.00 (168/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The FRA inspection car heads south along the Thames River in Uncasville, CT |
 The FRA inspection car heads south along the Thames River in Uncasville, CTREF#:20100429-51-_MG_0139.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 14:18:28 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 179.00 (179/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The FRA inspection car heads south along the Thames River in Uncasville, CT |
 A US Navy patrol boat heads south past Dow Chemical in LedyardREF#:20100429-53-_MG_0169.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 14:53:08 | | Aperture | f/7.1 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 200.00 (200/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | A US Navy patrol boat heads south past Dow Chemical in Ledyard |
 The NECR ethanol extra, with a colorful power consist, pulls north through Uncasville, CTREF#:20100429-54-_MG_0845.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 14:54:45 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.003 s (1/400) | | Focal Length (mm) | 38.00 (38/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The NECR ethanol extra, with a colorful power consist, pulls north through Uncasville, CT |
 The NECR ethanol extra heads north through Uncasville, CTREF#:20100429-55-_MG_0178.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 50D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 14:59:47 | | Aperture | f/8.0 | Exposure Time | 0.002 s (1/500) | | Focal Length (mm) | 148.00 (148/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The NECR ethanol extra heads north through Uncasville, CT |
 The NECR ethanol extra, with a colorful power consist, pulls north through Uncasville, CTREF#:20100429-56-_MG_0852.jpg| Taken with | Canon EOS 40D | | Date Taken | 2010:04:29 15:02:31 | | Aperture | f/7.1 | Exposure Time | 0.003 s (1/400) | | Focal Length (mm) | 38.00 (38/1) | | ISO | 200 |
View in the gallery | The NECR ethanol extra, with a colorful power consist, pulls north through Uncasville, CT |
Thanks for looking!
Tom
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Tom,
Thanks for going out and getting shots of what so many of us wanted to see.
George
Hi Tom,
I caught a view of the train heading north through Norwich from the window in dispatch and ended up having everyone else in the room standing at the window with me watching it trundle by. Of course I was at work for 16 hours so there was no way I would have been able to get a picture but I sure wish I had been able to. Fortunately, you’ve got some great shots here – as always!