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

Then and Now....

The "new" D&H yard office in Mechanicville sometime in the early 50's. Looks like the finishing touches are being made to the new building.

Move ahead to 2010, this is what remains before PAS/NS level it to make way for the "new" Mechanicville Intermodal Yard.

Train Nite, February 28th, 2010

Our first 2010 meeting has held at Bob Chase's house. His beautiful Boston & Albany layout as a backdrop, it was good to see old friends and we had a large turnout!

My new U-18 "Ethan Allen" with sound is stretching it's legs on the ol B&A!

One of Bob's many wood kits he's been working on, this spindle mill will have a new home on an addtion to the layout that he is building.

Another great looking building!

Mark checks all his settings!

Bill, Bill, John and Melony

Harold checks out the village of Onderdonk as Brad and Bob look on.

Finally, the King! Paul owner of JP's Trains and Hobbies in Latham, NY!

Everyone Wants In On The Action

It's a cold and blistery 2010 President's Day in Delanson, NY. I'm the conductor on D&H train 939 picking up eight empty autoracks from the SNY interchange before heading south to Binghamton. Bill Mischler took the photo of me finishing my work.

Rob Dennis