This week we catch steam action at The Valley Railroad Company during a two-day steam photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography around Essex, Connecticut from October 8-9th, 2024. Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen and enjoy the trains!! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching!
The Valley Railroad Company #40 sits in s shroud of steam at the depot at Essex, Connecticut
The Valley Railroad Company #40 sits in s shroud of steam at the depot at Essex, Connecticut, on the night of October 8th, 2024, during a photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography.
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.
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 70mm, 2.8, 1/100, ISO 10,000.
The Valley Railroad Company #40 rests at the depot at Essex, Connecticut as the conductor and fireman talk…
The Valley Railroad Company #40 rests at the depot at Essex, Connecticut as the conductor and fireman talk, on the night of October 8th, 2024, during a photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography.
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.
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 40mm, 2.8, 1/100, ISO 10,000.
The Valley Railroad Company #40 steams out of Essex, Connecticut with a rare mixed freight move…
The Valley Railroad Company #40 steams out of Essex, Connecticut with a rare mixed freight move on the night of October 8th, 2024, after a photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography.
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.
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 24mm, 2.8, 1/160, ISO 12,800.
Canadian National 89 heads to the depot at the Strasburg Railroad as It prepares to pull the first train of the day…
Canadian National 89 heads to the depot at the Strasburg Railroad as It prepares to pull the first train of the day on October 7th, 2024 from Strasburg, PA.
According to Wikipedia: The Strasburg Rail Road (reporting mark SRC) is a heritage railroad and the oldest continuously operating standard-gauge railroad in the western hemisphere, as well as the oldest public utility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Chartered in 1832, the Strasburg Rail Road Company is today a heritage railroad offering excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives on 4.02 mi of track in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, as well as providing contract railroad mechanical services, and freight service to area shippers. The railroad’s headquarters are outside Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 36mm, 2.8, 1/1600, ISO 250.
Canadian National 89 pulls a passenger train through the countryside on the Strasburg Railroad…
Canadian National 89 pulls a passenger train through the countryside on the Strasburg Railroad as It heads back to the depot at Strasburg, PA, on October 7th, 2024.
According to Wikipedia: The Strasburg Rail Road (reporting mark SRC) is a heritage railroad and the oldest continuously operating standard-gauge railroad in the western hemisphere, as well as the oldest public utility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Chartered in 1832, the Strasburg Rail Road Company is today a heritage railroad offering excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives on 4.02 mi of track in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, as well as providing contract railroad mechanical services, and freight service to area shippers. The railroad’s headquarters are outside Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.
Canadian National 89 heads back to the depot at Strasburg, PA
Canadian National 89 pulls a passenger train through the countryside on the Strasburg Railroad as It heads back to the depot at Strasburg, PA, on October 7th, 2024.
According to Wikipedia: The Strasburg Rail Road (reporting mark SRC) is a heritage railroad and the oldest continuously operating standard-gauge railroad in the western hemisphere, as well as the oldest public utility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Chartered in 1832, the Strasburg Rail Road Company is today a heritage railroad offering excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives on 4.02 mi of track in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, as well as providing contract railroad mechanical services, and freight service to area shippers. The railroad’s headquarters are outside Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Film Wednesday – October 6th, 2024, East Broad Top 16 returns to Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania
Film Wednesday – October 6th, 2024, East Broad Top 16 leads a passenger train as they return to Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania.
According to Wikipedia: The East Broad Top Railroad (EBT) is a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge historic and heritage railroad headquartered in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania. Operating from 1871 to 1956, it is one of the United States’ oldest and best-preserved narrow-gauge railroads and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The railroad is now preserved for use as a tourist attraction until operations ceased in 2011. After a nine-year closure, in February 2020 it was announced that the railroad had been purchased by a non-profit foundation and regular train service resumed in the summer of 2021.
Tech Info: Mamiya C330 Professional, Ilford HP5 Film, Mamiya 80mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 400.
Film Wednesday – October 5th, 2024, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern 2102 heads toward Jim Thorpe, PA
Film Wednesday – October 5th, 2024, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern 2102 makes its way toward Jim Thorpe, PA during their first fall color run of the season.
According to Wikipedia: Reading Blue Mountain and Northern 2102 (historically known as Reading 2102) is a preserved “T-1” 4-8-4 “Northern” type steam locomotive. Originally built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in March 1925 as an “I-10sa” 2-8-0 “Consolidation” type locomotive for the Reading Company, No. 2102 was rebuilt by the Reading’s own locomotive Shops as a 4-8-4 “Northern” in September 1945, and it was used for pulling heavy coal trains for the railroad until being retired from revenue service in 1956.
Between 1962 and 1964, No. 2102 was used to haul the Iron Horse Rambles excursion trains. After the Rambles ended in 1964, No. 2102 was sold to Steam Tours Inc. of Akron, Ohio, and it spend the next several years pulling various fan trips in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. In 1985, it was sold again to Andy Muller to operate on his Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad alongside 4-6-2 No. 425, until its flue time expired, on October 27, 1991. Beginning in February 2016, the locomotive was restored to operating condition, and then it returned to service, in April 2022.
Tech Info: Mamiya C330 Professional, Ilford HP5 Film, Mamiya 80mm, f/4, 1/500, ISO 400.
Film Wednesday – October 9th, 2024, The Valley Railroad Company steam engine #97 heads out of Essex, Connecticut
Film Wednesday – October 9th, 2024, The Valley Railroad Company steam engine #97 heads out of Essex, Connecticut with three passenger coaches, during a Dak Dillon Photography photo charter.
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 No. 97 is a preserved 2-8-0 steam locomotive that was built in 1923 by the American Locomotive Company’s Cooke Works.
Tech Info: Mamiya C330 Professional, Ilford HP5 Film, Mamiya 80mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 400.
East Broad Top steam locomotive #16 pulls a mixed freight through the early morning fog…
East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a mixed freight through the early morning fog as they head out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, during the museum’s Friends of the East Broad top event.
According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 80.
East Broad Top steam locomotive #16 pulls a mixed freight through the early morning fog…
East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a mixed freight through the early morning fog as they head out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, during the museum’s Friends of the East Broad top event.
According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 80.
Dave Domitrovich works on adjusting the pop off valve on East Broad Topsteam locomotive #16
Dave Domitrovich works on adjusting the pop off valve on East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16, at Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, during the museum’s Friends of the East Broad top event.
According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, 70-300mm, f/5.3, 1/640, ISO 400.
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 sits outside the engine at Port Clinton, PA
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 sits outside the engine house as dawn begins at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on October 5th, 2024, as it waits to begin its first day of the year of pulling Fall Foliage Excursions.
According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124.
The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s.
In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains.
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 31mm, 5.6, 1/2 second, ISO 200.
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 at Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 pulls away from the outer station at Reading, Pennsylvania on October 5th, 2024,during its first day of the year of pulling Fall Foliage Excursions.
According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124.
The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s.
In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains.
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 32mm, 2.8, 1/2000, ISO 180.
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 pulls away from the station at at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on October 5th, 2024,during its first day of the year of pulling Fall Foliage Excursions.
According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124.
The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s.
In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains.
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 70mm, 5.6, 1640, ISO 64.
CSX I025 sits at the beginning of the viaduct that passes over the flood plain leading up to the bridge at Henderson, Ky
CSX I025 sits at the beginning of the viaduct that passes over the flood plain leading up to the bridge at Henderson, Ky that crosses over the Ohio River with the CSXT Pride in Service Honoring Our Law Enforcement unit leading on October 26th, 2024.
The train was held up for about 2 hours as members of the Henderson Fire Department finished putting out a tie fire on the bridge that spans the river on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Henderson, Kentucky; fortunately, except for the ties, the bridge is made out of steel.
CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/2500, ISO 100.
CSX M648 with the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad (CE&I) heritage unit leading…
CSX M648 with the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad (CE&I) heritage unit leading heads north across the Ohio River from Henderson, Kentucky, after members of the Henderson Fire Department finished putting out an initial tie fire on the bridge that spans the river on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Henderson, Kentucky on October 26th, 2024, and fortunately except for the ties, the bridge is made out of steel.
The fire did disrupt traffic on the CSX Henderson Subdivision for a couple hours and while CSX M648 did make it across after being delayed about 30 minutes and after the ties were first put out, afterwards the ties reignited and delayed hot intermodal I025 on the Evansville, IN, side of the river for almost two hours, till the ties were completely extinguished.
According to the CSX Website: July 26, 2024 – CSX has unveiled its 17th heritage locomotive, paying tribute to the historic Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad. This locomotive is part of CSX’s ongoing series celebrating the rich legacy of America’s railroads.
The C&EI was established in 1877, initially serving as a regional line connecting Chicago with southern Illinois, St. Louis, Mo. and Evansville, Ind. Over time, it expanded its reach, becoming an important link between the Midwest and the southern United States. The C&EI played a vital role in transporting coal, agricultural products, and manufactured goods, significantly contributing to the region’s economic development.
In 1967, the C&EI was absorbed by the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. In the 1980s, as CSX expanded its network, it acquired various lines and assets from other railroads, including parts of former C&EI lines that had been integrated into the Missouri Pacific. This indirect acquisition process allowed CSX to incorporate the historic routes and legacy of the C&EI into its expansive system.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/1250,
Members of the Henderson Fire Department work on putting out a tie fire at Henderson, Ky
Members of the Henderson Fire Department work on putting out a tie fire on the bridge that spans the Ohio River on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Henderson, Kentucky as a fire boat works from below. Several ties were involved in the fire on the afternoon of October 26th, 2024, and fortunately except for the ties, the bridge is made out of steel.
The fire did disrupt traffic on the CSX Henderson Subdivision for a couple hours and while CSX M648 did make it across after being delayed about 30 minutes and after the ties were first put out, afterwards the ties reignited and delayed hot intermodal I025 on the Evansville, IN, side of the river for almost two hours, till the ties were completely extinguished. I’ll be posting shots with M648 with the CE&I heritage unit leading across the bridge this afternoon, so stay tuned!
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/2000, ISO 110.
Paducah and Louisville Railway 2118 heads up the morning local on January 28, 2009…
Paducah and Louisville Railway 2118 heads up the morning local on January 28, 2009 as it waits for a MOW crew to arrive at Richland, Kentucky to remove an ice laden tree from the tracks during the 2009 Ice Storm, as people around the state woke to over 2″ of ice covering most of Western Kentucky.
This photo was made from the bottom of my driveway the morning of the ice storm, after I slowly made my way down the driveway to get the photo. At this time, I was still working for the Messenger Newspaper, and it ran on the front page as well on the Associated Press wire services.
It was an interesting time and my home, which is on a hill to the right out of frame, was without power for about 10 days, till I was finally able to get a generator to power the house. Of course, a day later I got the power restored, but the generator has been used several times since then when we lost power!
Tech Info: Nikon D300, JPG, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 1600.
n this week’s Saturday Infrared Photo, we find The Valley Railroad Company #40…
In this week’s Saturday Infrared Photo, we find The Valley Railroad Company #40 steaming along the Pratt and Post Coves Preserve as a kayaker watches from the water at Deep River, Connecticut on October 9th, 2024, as part of a two-day photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography.
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 an ALCO 2-8-0 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 @ 16mm, f/5, 1/500, ISO 400.