Fall in upstate NY

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 07:53:16 PM

October brought the fall colors and (this year only) the 50th anniversary of the Erie Lackawanna merger. With those good reasons in mind, I headed out to the former Erie/EL mainline... which is now part of NS's Southern Tier Mainline.

I caught 38T rounding the curve on a beautiful, clear Saturday.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Linden, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 07:54:55 PM

Besides the auto racks, 38T had plenty of covered hoppers in the mix.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Linden, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 07:56:02 PM

The tail end of 38T disappearing into the fall colors.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Linden, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 07:58:58 PM

About an hour later, this NS manifest freight (probably 13T) came rumbling around the bend, heading east.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Linden, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 08:01:41 PM

OK, I had to shoot into the sun... but that 2nd locomotive looks like a former BN unit. I can recall BN units operating on EL during its final days, as well as the early days of CR, so this unit made me feel rather nostalgic.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Linden, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 08:03:35 PM

I'm also certain the second train had to be 13T, judging by the mixed bag in the consist.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Linden, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 08:07:08 PM

After the 2nd eastbound train passed, I explored the area and stumbled across this old feed mill. It must've been pretty cool to see an Erie 2-8-0 or EL RS-3 setting out cars next to the mill back in its heyday.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Linden, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 08:10:10 PM

This spur looks like it serviced the mill once upon a time. I think there was at least 1 spur and possibly even a 2nd one that have been removed, based on ground conditions.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Linden, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 08:15:33 PM

The following weekend was the 50th anniversary of the Erie Lackawannam merger and I headed out to Silver Springs. This is where NS interchnages with the Rochester & Southern, a former B&O branchline that CSX sold to GWI in 1986. The track at left is part of the former Erie/EL, while the tracks next to it and behind the depot are former B&O (nee Rochester & State Line RR). The depot itself was built by the Erie and is still used by NS today... which is a bit of a rarity in NY these days.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Silver Springs, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 08:17:07 PM

The white milepost dates back to the Erie, while the newer mile marker above it was recently added by NS.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Silver Springs, NY. Miles are marked on the former Erie by the distance from the terminal in Jersey City.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 08:20:32 PM

Later in the afternoon, NS symbol freight 310 (Bellevue to Gang Mills) came rolling through after making a drop for the R&S about a mile or so up the tracks.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Silver Springs, NY.

Matt L · December 02, 2010, 08:26:13 PM

Although the tracks point in a southerly direction here, 310 is actually an eastbound train. It will drop off freight for freight destined for the Corning/Elmira area and several shortlines at Gang Mills, then head back west (as 309) after dark. The industry at the left is serviced by the R&S.

Photo taken by me 10/9/2010 in Silver Springs, NY. The shadows were growing long, so I decided to call it a day after 310 passed. I hope everyone enjoys this series.