Trains & BBQ

Had to make a run down to Oneonta Saturday afternoon for the Annual LRHS Banquet (Cooperstown Railway Folks). Before I left the shop the phone rang with a hot tip from a friend about a northbound heading out of Binghamton that had Standard Cab leading instead of the normal beat to hell GE's that were accustomed to seeing around here. You guys at CSX think your power is filthy CP has CSX beat any day in that department. There power is just Gross. After gratefully thanking the person that tipped me off. I headed out the door and down I-88. I arrived at a location just outside of Oneonta that was also conveniently close to Brooks where the Banquet was being held. After a three and half our wait train #253 came north a 10 MPH clip (See Attachment) Its been one of those shots that I have been trying to do for awhile. I have always been fascinated with the D&H between Binghamton and Schenectady. Neat towns. Cool Scenery all within a close vicinity of my home. This shot has always been a favorite since I first discovered this area riding on the back of my fathers motorcycle. Back in the early 90's during the fall my father would lead about fifty fellow motorcyclists from our business in Colonie down to Fly Creek and then around Cooperstown with eventual arrival at Brooks and then the ride home. We always would ride along Route 7. Some of the scenes have changed. The trains are different. Newer signals have been installed leaving the old masts to just rot, Just think these old masts have been in the place probably since 1900's. Some have moved, some are in there same place. They have had everything from Semaphore Blades that were controlled by towers only to be replaced with Searchlight style lights controlled by CTC control in Albany and I think Oneonta but I might be wrong to now be removed or upstaged by new signals and new masts completely. But the area still has its charm and classic rural ness and that is what matters to me.

Dean J. Splittgerber
Duanesburg, NY