ON THE MILKY WAY RAILROAD (BLUE?)

I launch early tonight from Hinesburg again, heading north into Quebec acting on a hot tip from Frank Jolin that a 394 detour is arriving at St. Jean to pick up its CM&Q pilot for the trip to Lennoxville! With St. Jean being several miles west of Farnham I usually have enough time to drive up and meet 394 in Farnham before the train disappears into the woods heading east. I say “usually” as the last attempt was a failure, “don’t we know.”. Arriving tonight the same track outside of Farnham is in the same condition as the last visit..............empty! Jeesome Crow! As I cross back over the grade crossing I see snow spilled onto the edge of the west side of the road where rails cross. Ah Ha! I think, 394 has given me the slip! Evidence shows am eastbound train passed over this crossing recently, I bet it was 394. Without further contemplation I head north for the Sherbrooke Autoroute where I can zoom along to my destination, Sherbrooke and be ahead of them in time to set up.

The roads are in good shape tonight and I decide ( a poor decision admittedly) to check out the bridge at Eastman for the reflection and listen to see if I can hear 394 pulling the grade to the west. The location is literally a minute off the autoroute. I pull in, get out and see the reflecting pool covered with fresh snow, and I can hear EMD diesels west of me, 394! I was correct! I jump back on the autoroute and radio picks up the talking equipment detector just west of Eastman going off! I’m shocked, 394 is already over here, right on my tail! Holy Cow! The detector gives the axle count among other info...................218 or so axles and I’m left thinking no wonder they are making good time, they have a small train. I don’t think I will beat them to the station in Sherbrooke but, already out here, two and a half hours from home, I’ve got to try!

I make such a statement because rte. 112 “Rue King O” going down through Sherbrooke easily rivals rte. 7 going through Rutland, Vermont for the most stoplights in the fewest miles of road! But.......my working hours are my advantage tonight! Amazingly, every stoplight stays/turns green for me! I turn right onto Rue Belvidere South then right into the station parking lot. Let’s setup I think! As I put the lighting together at the trunk there are surprisingly no air horns off in the distance. Maybe thirty min. later I am hearing air horns as I am spotting the last two lights where I have to cross the tracks to place them, one doing double duty as my mark, and stroll back (quickly) past the civic and up to the overpass. Temps are in the upper teens and dropping with a west wind. Now atop the overpass I see headlights in the distance and I’m feeling very lucky having pulled this off. The test shots look fine, my mark is a bit off, too far back but I figure I can crop the bottom of the view.

394 pulls up into the yard and stops well below the ex-CP station. This is odd I think. Nothing happens for a couple minutes. Now the headlights blink as the conductor gets off, and the power pulls towards me. They must have a setout to make I conclude as the leader slowly rolls past the station and into the scene. I’m watching over the top of the GR as number boards become visible........I read 90?? and it hits me..........this is the host railroad! Central Maine & Quebec! This is train 2 heading to Maine! BLUE BARNS! Up past my mark comes 9011 and the lighting does good! Under and then well beyond the overpass goes the head end. I’m ecstatic! Realizing I’ve hit the jackpot! The Blue Barns are making a lift here! The 9011 backs down into the yard, pulls back out and returns backing down onto its train below the station. I conclude..........LIFE IS GREAT!

I look over to my left at “this blocks” Timmy Hortons, and the lights are on! Once CM&Q train 2 departs, it’s time for a Latte, LOL! Absolutely! The train crew however, was well ahead of me! After several minutes the 9011s ditch lights go out, a crewman gets off, and I watch as he walks over to..............Timmy Hortons! The crews going for coffee! The crews going for coffee! I forget about plans for the Latte and realize..............this is the perfect opportunity to spot my mark where I want it, closer to the overpass. Train 2 is not going to move. And that’s what I did. Back atop the overpass, I watch a few minutes later as the conductor returns, 9011s ditch lights come on, a couple toots on the air horn are heard and I think..........get this right. The evidence is attached as 9011 came past one more time. This was the best I thought. Shot in Sherbrooke, Quebec on February 6, 2018 at 23:37. 1/500 @2.8. Special thanks to Frank Jolin! Please enjoy! Comments are welcomed.

All The Best In 2018;

Gary Knapp