XO Tower 1984

The photographer/railfan figure I modeled to represent myself, the Porsche 356 was one of my early railfan cars, the "boy on a bike" is you! That's the way I remembered you in Mechanicville. Over the years I did models of several of my railfan friends

Later,
Wayne Sittner

Cobleskill Coal and Uncle Pete

Hope everybody is enjoying the heat this week. God do we need rain. Every creek is dry from my house all the way to Binghamton. Speaking of Binghamton on Wednesday morning I had to make a run down to a fellow Harley dealer to swap bikes. After a quick stop at CPF-503 Below Delanson but in still in the Duanesburg to check the signals which were upon my arrival dark so I decided to keep moving, after a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts in Schoharie I jumped on 88. For some reason I decided to get back off and drive down into Cobleskill. I have never been down to see the abandoned coal building which dates back to the late 1880’s. There is a great article which appeared in Railroad Model Craftsman many years ago that talked about its history and had detailed photos of it inside and out. Branchline Trains now offers a fabulous laser kit of it for both HO and N. Anyways I don’t know why I never went here before stupid me. While walking around I heard a horn to the south. Great a northbound. I got set up. I figure here we go another set of NS GE’s but instead UP power. Cool! After taking my pics I got back in my Sprinter and headed south. I was temped to head back to (CPF-503) to get one more shot but I wanted to stay on Schedule and also grab Breakfast at the Greek Diner in Oneonta. As I drove south I didn’t see anymore trains until Oneonta where another NB (#931) was going under 88. Dean



Dean J. Splittgerber

D&H 302, Well Maybe...

It's a fake. but it's a good one!!!!


Arrived on the SVRR today. She will probably take the Frazier for an inspection tour of the LP&O tomorrow evening. (if that is where we are going)

Jim LaFayette

Summer Camp In Island Pond

It seemed to be an obvious move in the middle of a heat wave in Vermont during July fourth week, retire to camp in Bloomfield. Its ten degrees cooler than further south in Hinesburg, situated on the Upper Connecticutt River complete with swimming hole, (swimmers over the years have never become confused enough to call the water temps comfortable.....) and the only trains on the nearest railroad, (in this case the SLR) operate dependably at night! And then of course there was the fourth of July decorations trackside at Lakeside Camping in nearby Island Pond, which would not be there forever. So I took up the same schedule as the week before at camp, going out around 7:30 PM to shoot SLR 394 at Lakeside Camping, returning around 11 PM to cook a meal and drink tea, then going back out around 2 or 3 AM to catch 393 returning west. Now.....in order to access the state parks campsites, you leave the car up at the road in a pull off area, and walk in maybe an eighth of a mile. A stones throw away from the pull off is a home, and there is no getting in and out quietly up there! After two weeks the family must have wondered who in the world they had for a neighbor in the state park! LOL! Arriving back at Lakeside Camping in Island Pond, I was welcomed like an old friend by owner Maurice Barnes, and I shot 394 there Wed., Thurs. and Fri. nights. While the first two nights, Maurice recruited kids from his campers to pose for me, it was Friday night, working alone, that provided the most rewarding image! I had agreed to shoot two scenes of campers at night for Maurice to use in his brochure for the campground, returning the favor he did for me by rounding up kids earlier, a task made easier when he was not around to say good or bad while I was shooting the scenes the following night for him! He operates the whole campground and was away doing something else. I had resigned myself to not being able to shoot 394 unless, it ran late. Finishing up with the campers, I invited the folks to join me to watch the train go by and offerred to come back and let them know when I was all set up, to which they agreed. I drive off into downtown Island Pond and eventually discover the train sitting waiting for the outbound crew, so far so good! It dose'nt take long to set up the lights tonight, having practiced this part of the act six or seven nights now, and the traveling flag remained in its position by the engine for these three days, then I drive back down into the campground to invite the campers and kids to join me. Its late, after ten but they agree and start walking up! Overjoyed with this blossoming opportunity, I return to the tracks to find more people standing around the stepladder! The thought........"you gotta be kidding me...." comes to mind. LOL! We have a nice conversation where I explained the lights to them, and I invite them to be a part of the photo, pointing out how rare this opportunity is, (for everyone actually) and after some hemming and hawing they agree to wait for a while. Like it was planned, the scanner comes alive with the outgoing crew aboard 394, and the second group of campers walks up to complete the cast! Now the waiting begins, the kids, tired from the long day of summer camp activities, lounge on the grass while I demonstate/test the lighting. The adults mention to me how they have been coming up here to camp with their families for many years and the night train on the SLR has always been a part of the camping experience for them. With talk on the scanner implying 394s departure, I reassemble "the lineup", everyone remembering where they were before. Looking out at the scene before me from atop the stepladder in gratitude, sounds of 394 starting to pull reach my ears. Everyone is relieved down at the fence at the news, looking forward to finally seeing the train. In a couple minutes, engineer Paul Palmer brings 394s head end into view and down past us at a nice steady pace and in a flash, the scene is captured! At summer camp in Island Pond! Shot on July 9, 2010 at 23:01 with the 5D and Zeiss ZF 35/2 (Nikon) lens set at f2. Please enjoy! Comments are welcomed.




All The Best In 2010;

Gary

Amtrak at Amsterdam

Got a tip on Monday June 21st that there was a Clean Warbonnet and some CP power going west out of Selkirk. At the time I was home finishing up mowing my lawn (4 Acres W/Push Mower). Around 4 I pulled the pin and took off in the truck for Fonda. After Waiting from 4:30-7:00 PM and watching countless eastbounds Parade by me the only Westbound I caught was a late running #283. The other two trains that I was after never came west till later in the evening incurring delays due to trackwork over near RJ. Somedays depending where your located your doing good if you get Amtrak. I also did see that night before I left an eastbound FRA movement with a six axle GE , a baggage coach and one of the FRA’s Darth Vader Looking test cars. BTW nice to see that FRA personnel or exempt from vests.

Deano

Through The Trees

Got a little creative with this one. Had one hand on the Branch and the other on the Camera Body. Taken from the Old Abondoned Old State Road Bridge on Monday after a Marathon day of Swaping Bikes with other Dealers!

Deano

Sherman? Sherman is that you?

Entering Cambridge, NY two mornings back after the two hour plus drive down from the compound, it appeared to be just another grand upstate New York village. No one was out at two a.m., (what a surprise, eh?) even the town police cruiser was parked outside the darkened office, giving an indication of how much was going on 'round town. To any travelers passing through, Cambridge was just another place to go through to get somewhere more important. On this night though, appearances deceive. Tonight, Cambridge is included in a tiny, elite group of towns in North America which include an operable ALCO RS-3 among the towns attributes. Turning right off from Rte. 22 in the center of Cambridge, down the street the tracks of the Battenkill Railroad appear. I am looking for Sherman, Sherman De Ragon to be precise. Perhaps better known as Battenkill 4116, which is named for Sherman De Ragon. Turning right again to drive down past the photogenic ex-D&H station, even though I am looking for Sherman, I don't see him until I catch a glimpse of the trademark curved high short hood in the darkness beyond the building at the last second driving by! Sherman?.......Sherman? Is that you!? Smiling to myself as I turn the Civic around, I'm reminding myself, you could not make this up Gary! An as built ALCO RS-3, overnighting near the Cambridge Station, surrounded by darkness. "Shall we?", I think as I pop the trunk release, revealing the lighting equipment waiting to perform. Its a beautiful night for night photos, warm for us, with a light rain falling. In setting up the lights and moving them trackside, only one neighbor stirs, to drive off in his pickup. He returns to park in his driveway across the street from where I am unloading the trunk, and I see him out of the corner of my eye start to approach me. As I turn towards him, he starts repeating "I'm a good guy........I'm a good guy...." I nod towards him smiling, introduce myself and we have a short conversation which ends with the man telling me to "knock yourself out" smiling in response to learning what I am up to at that hour, in the rain. As he turns to cross the street to his house, I turn towards the station with more lights. Its like stepping into the nineteen fifties! Circumstances combined to create this opportunity, the Battenkill job was already enroute from the enginehouse in Greenwich, NY to interchange with CPRails' D&H and Pan Am in Eagle Bridge when the D&H called to inform that the job coming over from Saratoga was cancelled for that night, due to lack of power or crew. So the decision was made to overnight in Cambridge and start out for Eagle Bridge the following day. This was the first time I had shot an RS-3 at night! What a contrast from the sharp angular lines of modern power. As with many of my night photos, this one is a result of a helpfull tip from a list member. Special thanks to John "Cully" Culligan! Shot on May 19, 2010 at 04:09. Please enjoy! Comments are welcomed.


All The Best In 2010;
Gary

The Hill Job..

Just so you can remember winter, Jim Layfaette sent this along from the early 90's. Jimmy and this brakeman head up the hill out of Fort Edward. Thanks Jim!

Lee Schamberger's Update!

More trees added to the layout, more to come. Made 103 trees using Super trees kits and Grand Central Gems conifers.

Thanks, Lee

Shipyard?

This past Tuesday morning, (early hours) I received an e-mail from photographer Frank Jolin that the 8569 was working the MM&A Newport, Vt. - Farnham, Quebec Turn tonight. It was entering Farnham at 02:30. For out of towners, the 8569 is one of only two locomotives on the MM&A roster wearing the classy maroon and yellow paint scheme! The next night I was up in Newport. LOL! Checking in the yard first, sure enough, I found the 8569 performing switching duties, so I found a spot nearby to capture the unit departing and set up. Three hours later and no train........it suddenly hit me that if these guys are going to Farnham and back tonight "maybe" they should have gone by now! LOL! You don't suppose they are not going tonight eh? I could not imagine the huge Blue Seal Feed Mill in Richford going two days without a switch.....but. Torn between images of Gary driving down to the yard as 8569 left, and Gary being here all night for nothing, I decided to risk the former, and left the location for the yard perhaps three miles away. There I found 8569 shut down for the night. Happy to have checked, I reminded myself that this is another reason why I retired to do this! Ha,ha,ha! I can return the next night. After picking up the equipment, I visited a spot I had seen earlier on the way into town. It was hard to miss, a big sailboat in dry dock alongside the MM&A main line in the Newport Shipyard. From the road it did'nt look too promising because of the embankment the railroad was on, I did'nt think you would be able to see over the rear of the sailboat, even from the stepladder. So there I was, 01:00, walking over to the tracks and boat from the nearby parking lot, flashlight in hand, to check this scene out. Walking across the MM&A main, I look down over the embankment behind the sailboat, and there.......as if left for me, is a neatly stacked nearly level pile of what could pass for bridge ties were they not lacking creosote! Three wide, I stand on them, checking the rear of the sailboat, from the stepladder this will do fine! Now, I have to get back here tonight and pray they depart after dark. 8 o'clock Wednesday night, I'm back in Newport! LOL! And you would have been too, after recognizing this opportunity! After confirming the precense of 8569 in the yard, running this time, with headlights on, I'm down here setting up. A couple out for a walk in the warm air, come upon me setting up around the sailboat, we have a conversation and unconcerned, they go on about their walking. I contemplated asking them to pose in the photo but, for once, where would I have them stand? Ha,ha,ha! It's after ten p.m. when I hear the GE departing out of the across town yard, only two miles away as the crow flies, where I have listened to her working for the past hour plus. The lighting has been entertaining to set up, and I'm making some last minute changes. Then 8569 whistles for the Main St. crossing, and its train time here! For out of towners, only one train in each direction uses this track each twenty four day. To be presented with this set-up, and only needing to light it up at night, you can understand my gratitude. Listening to 8569 gurgling her way along the waterfront toward me, reminds me of the heritage of this line, CP Rails' gateway to the U.S. East Coast until CPR purchased the D&H. A haven for four axle ALCO/MLWs in the diesel years, I remember visiting Newport in the seventies for the pleasure of photographing, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Schnectady built ALCO RS-2s that worked out of the yard! 8569s engineer widens out on the throttle a couple notches as they round the curve behind the sailboat, at the foot of Newport Hill, spots me atop the stepladder, and then passes by at perhaps ten mph. With the flash, the image is captured! I offer a wave up to the engineer passing by above me! Photos such as this are the result of more than my efforts alone at times. Special thanks to Frank Jolin for taking the time as he was heading off to bed to send an e-mail telling me the 8569 was up here! Shot In Newport, Vermont on May 5, 2010 at 20:20. Exposure 9500 on the 5D with the Nikkor 14 - 24/2.8 lens set at 18mm and f2.8! Please enjoy! Comments are welcomed.

All The Best In 2010;

Gary Knapp

Busy Little Town..

Due to its geographic location the Village of Altamont is a busy little place. People who live in the Hilltowns and who drive each day to Albany, Schenectady or other Towns and Cities in the Capital District depend on the businesses in this little town. The Crossing at Main Street sees both a lot of Vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Also people who live in the village cross over the Albany Main in between neighbor's yards and even use the ROW as an easy access into the heart of the Village. SMS's Crews who pass through here daily have to be very vigilant as can been seen in this Image as A-Team member Jeremy can been seen looking out his window checking for people or obstructions so he can alert his fellow A-Team Member Bill who can be seen looking ahead. Also to be noted is the yellow MOW machine on the left side siting on the siding up by the station. SMS's MOW Division has been busy since late March working on the Albany Main and at the park. Two weeks ago they began replacing ties from the entrance of the park and are slowly working there way up to Delanson replacing ties that are no longer any good.

 
Dean J. Splittgerber 

Stranger In The Kingdom

Tonight we visit the quintessential Vermont village, South Royalton, along the NECR main line. Apart from the early summer like temps this first week of April, (an illusion we Vermonters were quickly rescued from the following weeks) the highlight for me was finding one of the pair of newly transplanted Florida East Coast engines leading for the first time south on 324! You see, upon arriving up here from Florida, it was discovered both units lacked cab heaters! But, on the plus side, they were equipped with air conditioned cabs for that day in July when its too hot up here! Ha,ha,ha! NECR evaluated the units and decided to install the cab heaters! Believe me, I did a double take upon hearing the NECR dispatcher calling this unit on 324 tonight. Talk about out of the blue! Or out of the darkness, in my case! South Royalton seemed to be a natural spot to catch this "Stranger in the Kingdom" of New England. Love that church. Imagine the winter photos to come of this unit in snowstorms. LOL! The lighting set up went smoothly, after all, I've had practice here in the past! NECR engineer Nate Cobb did a fine run-by, at a steady speed. Thanks Nate for being here! In the past it has been super quiet here at night, allowing me to hear 324 twenty minutes away to the north, but not tonight. The fog you know? I'm listening..........listening.........atop the stepladder, then after forty five minutes I get down and wander around the thing, the loudly splashing brook behind me dominating my hearing. After a few minutes more, success comes suddenly, 324 is in town whistling for crossings above me! The added elevation of the ladder makes all the difference as FEC 437 comes out from between the freight house and station and past the set-up! Certainly looking out of place here! Imagine this with snow! Ha,ha,ha! SHot on April 2, 2010 at 04:44 with the 5D and Zeiss 28/2 lens set at f2. Please enjoy! Comments are welcomed.

All The Best in 2010

Gary

NE-1 at Altamont

SMS Local NE-1 is seen passing the Village of Altamont’s Historic 1897 D&H Depot as it trundles back to the Northeastern Industrial Park with a mixed consist of paper, plastic pellets (For a New Company in the Park) and Ford products on a day that would set a new record high for April (87 Degrees) in New York’s Capital District. The previous Record was set in 1991 when the D&H was still around and running an occasional grain train and some local traffic to the Park over the Albany Main. The Station in the background is currently in the process of being refurbished by the Altamont Free Library as there new home.

Dean J. Splittgerber

Weathering IC Hoopers...

Somebody made a remark, Wednesday, that these 2 cars were too clean. Before...

After!

Jim Lafayette

The Reading Lives....sort of...

At Delanson, NY the "new" SMS power #2003, a GP-38-3, meets the northbound 938.

The 2003 waits for the southbound 939 to pass after their pick-up on this sunny Friday afternoon.

On the Friday, March 19th, the SMS #2003 in her shiny new paint hauls loaded autos up the hill towards the Park.

Dean J. Splittgerber

Lee Schamberger's Northville branch of the D&H

Hadley, NY, Hudson River Falls awaiting trees.

Sacandaga Lake, Edinburg, NY

A westbound crossing the diamond with the D&H Adirondack branch.

Hadley Moose Lager!

Another view of a westbound crossing the diamond with the D&H Adirondack branch.

Rockwell Plumbing.

Another scene under construction.

Lee Schamberger

Howe's Cave 2010

Rounding the bend at Tilson's....On a sunny and warm St.Patrick's day morning Northbound NS train #934 passes by two long time Howes Cave\Schoharie County Fixtures (Tilson's Lunch and the Cement Plant). UP and BNSF power has become a regular fixture on this train and its counterpart. The KCS power seen behind the UP units was recently purchased by Pan Am Railways. The 1845 Howes Cave house can be seen above the train which now houses the Cave House Museum of Mining & Geology. located behind it is the original Howes Cave entrance discovered in 1842 by Lester Howe, along with the Cement Plant and still operating quarry.

Dean J. Splittgerber

Brad's Sunday, March 14th 2010

A cold day ro be running the rails...

Bibby and Brain chat in Mechanicville Yard.

JR and his wife near "XO" tower

"Mad Dog" Bill  Dispatching

D&H Mechanicville

Robert and Bibby

Brad dispatching the "Northend". We had a good turnout of friends, it was quite interesting trying to run the layout and listening to Bibby tell stories we all had a great time, thanks Brad!

Train Nite At Frank's! March 7th, 2010

Impressive! A D&H freight with U33C's rumbles over a large scratchbuilt bridge that Frank constructed out of Central Valley parts. Photo by Mark Oliviere.

Amtrak passes the Quad Graphics as it races through Saratoga Yard.

Frank and Paul look over the staging yards. Photo by Mark Oliviere.

D&H RS-11 switches the newly rearanged paper mill, the valley effect of the buildings works great!

Bob's new friend and Frank's new dog, Angel, watch railroad DVDs.

D&H road freight passes through the country side.

"MadDog" Bill, Frank and Brad chat, Misch is working on his loco.

Misch's UP Turbine on it's madden voyage over Frank's layout.

More SMS in Delanson

Train 939 with an Ex-Conrail on the point accelerates south on the controlled siding past SMS's NE-1 with Chris and Greg on board waiting patiently to head back to the park with two for McGrand on a very snowy February 17th. A Day that started at 0040 hrs to go plow snow only to end up on a somber note with the passing of my Grandmother. Her and my Grandfather always supported my passion for trains and were always there for me. Thanks Gram!

Jeremy keeps a close eye ahead as Chris throws a wave and pulls nine loaded autoracks off CP onto the Albany Main for the trip back to the park. Today's run marked the second time the #301 ran down the Albany Main and onto CP's trackage at Delanson since January. Usually found at the park #301 had to provide extra power for train NE-1. SMS's other EMD switcher that is usually found mu'd to the #1424 was taken out of service due to a bad air compressor at the time this picture was taken.

Dean J. Splittgerber