Alcos are a rare breed these days. Thankfully, one of the best Aclo strongholds is just a short drive from my house. The lvionia, Aovn & lakeville RR is active 5-6 days per week in the northwestern croner of the FInger Lakes region in upstate NY.
I started the day at the LA&L's main yard and shop. RS36 #418 is a rare NKP suvivor:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8587.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8587.jpg.html)
At age 75(!), s2 #72 is the oldest locomotive on the LA&L:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8586.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8586.jpg.html)
C425 #428 was in the shop:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8590.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8590.jpg.html)
Number #319 has a unique history. She was built as the only C424 for the Pennsylvania RR. After working hard for PRR, PC and Conrail, #319 was rebuilt as a C424m and sold to the Green Bay & Western RR in 1980. The LA&L purchased her 15 years ago. The prime mover and traction motors are working. The LA&L plans to refurbish the old Century so she be used in revenue freight service.
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8595.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8595.jpg.html)
All photos in this post were taken by me Friday 7/22/2016 in Lakeville, NY. Property accessed with the permission of the LA&L.
Mnewhile, the LA&L had sent a local north. I intercepted it at the Rochester & Southern RR yard in Chili:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8643.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8643.jpg.html)
The power for the local was C425 #425 and high-nose C420 #420, seen switching at Genesee Junction in Chili:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8659.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8659.jpg.html)
After building a new train, the Alcos led it southbound. This location is East River ROad in West Henrietta:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8730.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8730.jpg.html)
Switching at the former Erie RR/ EL yard in Avon:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8778.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8778.jpg.html)
The LA&L sent out an MOW crew to check a switch in Avon:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8838.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8838.jpg.html)
With the work done, the local departs Avon for the day:
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8851.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8851.jpg.html)
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/Erielackawanna/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8863.jpg) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL/DSCN8863.jpg.html)
A complete slide show of my with the LA&L:
http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/slideshow/2016/July%202016/0722%20LAL
All photos in this post and the link were taken by me Friday 7/22/2016 in upstate NY. A big thanks goes out the employees of the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville RR for their friendliness and professionalism.
Great stuff!!
Thank you! Now that I have a scanner, it is interesting to hear the LA&L and R&S crews discussing what (if anything) NS dropped off at Silver Springs. The R&S acts a bridge carrier, so the LA&L interchanges indirectly with NS. I will also have an excursion announcement regarding the LA&L soon.