|
|
Joint NECR/PW/CN Office Car Special  The New England Central, Providence & Worcester and Canadian National Railroads ran a joint office car special, wearing the symbol OCS-1, from St. Albans,VT to Worcester, MA on February 7, 2012. The train consisted of equipment from all three railroads, and made only one stop in Palmer, MA to pick up a relief crew, and lunch for the passengers. I took the day off from work to document the move, and was able to shoot it between Three Rivers, MA and Thompson, CT, covering the NECR Palmer Sub and the P&W’s Willimantic and Norwich Branches.
The actual purpose of the trip, beyond having representation from all three railroads involved on board, has yet to be released (I have it on good authority that details should be released today by RailAmerica – 2/9/12). But the train was proceeding at passenger speed the entire route, with the northern portion between St. Albans and Palmer, MA being the fastest. South of Palmer was at 25 MPH most of the way on the NECR, and on the P&W’s Willimantic Branch, the newly rebuilt portion between Willimantic and Versailles was run at 25, with the remainder of the branch to Plainfield at 10. The final leg of the journey, on the P&W’s Norwich Branch, was near 40MPH at times. With the slower speeds down south, it was an easier chase, enabling quite a few photo stops – in my case it ended up being 12 spots. And along for the ride with me was good friend and fellow photographer Bob LaMay – this time it was my turn to drive, so Bob enjoyed the passing scenery riding shotgun.
We met up with many friends along the way, and were graced with a variety of conditions – from a thick overcast to clear and sunny skies. But as we usually do, we make the best of what we’re given.
On to the pictures!
 CSX Local at Palmer A CSX local out of West Springfield, MA pulls across the Palmer diamond as a CSX welding crew waits to work on the diamond itself.  CSX Local at Palmer CSX Local pulls into Palmer yard  Waiting Railfans A group of railfans gathers for the upcoming office car special  Welding the Diamond A CSX welding crew works on the Palmer diamond  603 Waiting in Palmer New England Central train 603 waits in Palmer yard for the passenger extra to pass before heading north.  Lee and My Car Lee takes a photo of a group of us waiting for the train in Three Rivers, MA  OCS-1 in Three Rivers The joint NECR/PW/CN Office Car Special appears in Three Rivers, MA  Three Rivers NECR/PW/CN OCS-1 passing by a home in Three Rivers, MA  Ken waving away NECR engineer Ken waves to the crowd of fans in Three Rivers, MA  P&W and CN A look at the last P&W coach, and the CN theater car at the end of the train  CN Theater Car Passengers enjoying the vew from the CN theater car in Three Rivers, MA  Yard Limits Ahead OCS-1 approaches the north yard limits of Palmer Yard  Recrew waiting A fresh crew is waiting in Palmer to relieve the crew that brought it down from St. Albans, VT.  Waiting for his train A crew member waits for the train's arrival at Palmer.  Crew Change - Food Load Not only was there a crew change in Palmer, MA, but lunch was loaded on board from the Steaming Tender restaurant  South end of State Line - I OCS-1 appears at the south end of the NECR's State Line siding in Stafford Springs, CT  South end of State Line - II OCS-1 continues south at the south end of State Line siding in Stafford Springs, CT  Stafford Southbound OCS-1 continues south through Stafford Springs, CT  Along the Middle River OCS-1 heads south under some spotty sunshine along the Middle River in Stafford Springs, CT  Theater Car in Stafford A look at the CN theater car as they pass through Stafford Springs, CT  At MP 48 OCS-1 passing by milepost 48 near the Stafford Springs/Ellington/Tolland town lines.  Entering P&W trackage OCS-1 now in Willimantic, CT enters the Providence & Worcester's Willimantic Branch near Bridge Street.  Willimantic Skyline I OCS-1 continues through Willimantic yard  Willimantic Skyline II OCS-1 continues through Willimantic yard  Crossing the Willimantic River OCS-1 crosses over the Willimantic River  Shetucket Causeway OCS-1 heads east over the P&W Willimantic Branch, skirting along the Shetucket River near the Scotland Dam in WIndham, CT  Skirting the Shetucket OCS-1 eastbound along the Shetucket River above the Scotland Dam  OCS-1 along the Shetucket The joint NECR/PW/CN Office Car Special continuing east on the Providence & Worcester's Willimantic Branch along the Shetucket River just above the Scotland Dam in Windham, CT  Three Railroads The joint NECR/PW/CN Office Car Special continuing east on the Providence & Worcester's Willimantic Branch in Baltic, CT on their way to Plainfield, where they'll join the Norwich Branch, and head north to Worcester, MA - their final destination.  Crossing 138 OCS-1 crosses over Route 138 in Baltic, CT  Enjoying the view Lee and Mike watch the train roll by in Baltic  Eastbound in Baltic OCS-1 continues east through Baltic, CT  Versailles Curve I OCS-1 heads through a cut in Versailles, CT  Versailles Curve II OCS-1 heads through a cut in Versailles, CT  Last of the Rehabbed Rail OCS-1 completes their journey over the recently rebuilt portion of the Willimantic Branch, and continues east towards Plainfield, CT.  Around the bend OCS-1 is nearing Plainfield, passing through Canterbury, CT  Eastbound in Canterbury OCS-1 continues east through Canterbury, CT  Canterbury in Color Continuing through Canterbury, CT  Canterbury in Gray OCS-1 heads east through Canterbury, CT  Under Ross Hill Road OCS-1 continues eastbound through Canterbury, CT after ducking under Ross Hill Road  Stretched out Eastbound Continuing east through Canterbury, CT  Train in the distance OCS-1 appears in the distance near Packer's Pond in Plainfield, CT  Lit up Stick Rail The joint NECR/PW/CN Office Car Special continuing east on the Providence & Worcester's Willimantic Branch in Plainfield, CT. Took advantage of the lower afternoon light to get a little rail glint shot.  Rails, train and shadows OCS-1 nears the crossing at Packer's Pond in Plainfield, CT as it passes through some dust in the air, throwing a shadow from the afternoon sunlight.  Near Packer's Pond OCS-1 nears the crossing at Packer's Pond in Plainfield, CT  OCS-1 and Bill Bill gets his shot of OCS-1 near Packer's Pond in Plainfield, CT  Look at those freaks! I'm sure that's what the conversation was on the train early on - by this time the passengers were snapping pictures of us!  NECR on the Norwich Branch OCS-1 now northbound on the P&W's Norwich Branch, passes by the VILLAGE block station sign in Central Village, CT  French River sunset OCS-1 appears from behind the trees along the French River in Thompson, CT  French River Sunset The joint NECR/PW/CN office car special - OCS-1 - skirts along the French River in Thompson, CT as the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, giving a nice sunset scene - and a fitting end to the day of chasing. Thanks for looking!
Tom
Leave a Reply
|
|
Tom,
Thanks as always for your efforts and the good results!
George