In this week’s Saturday Infrared Photo, we find The Valley Railroad Company 40 as they prepare to head to Essex, Connecticut, with a rare mixed freight move on October 8th, 2024, during a two-day photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography.
This section of trackage isn’t normally seen on the railroad’s regular operation as it’s south of the depot.
According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train.
Valley Railroad #40 is a ALCO 2-8-2 that was built in 1923. It was built as Portland, Astoria and Pacific No. 101, but never used there; transferred to Minarets and Western Railroad in 1921, later to Southern Pacific, then to the Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad. Purchased by the Valley Railroad in 1977.
Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 19mm, f/4.5, 1/125, ISO 400.