Trackside Log for Sunday, June 10, 2007

Well, it was day two of my Altoona, Pennsylvania trip and I awoke to yet another beautiful day. I couldn't ask for anything better. Once again I departed for Lilly to see what would show up. As soon as I pulled in I noticed an eastbound passing by. Luck was with me as the train was equipped with helpers. At least I was able to get a photograph of locomotives on the rear.

• 0723 Lilly, PA - NS eastbound - helpers NS 3347-NS 3341
• 0802 Lilly, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9679-NS 9167
• 0834 Lilly, PA - NS westbound - NS 2711-NS 9569

The next train I accidentally missed photographing the head end power, but again was able to photograph the helpers.

• 0840 Lilly, PA - NS eastbound - NS (C40-9W)-NS (C40-8) w/ helper NS 3342-NS 3339
• 0847 Lilly, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9859-NS 9732-NS 2679 w/ helper NS 3423-NS 3427
• 0851 Lilly, PA - NS westbound - NS 8398-NS 8868

I thought it might be a nice time to make the move to the steel bridge at Cassandra so off I went for beverages and new scenery. Unfortunately the traffic was rather slow for the first couple hours.

• 0916 Cassandra, PA - NS westbound helper - NS 3350-NS 3340
• 1026 Cassandra, PA - NS westbound - NS 8441-NS 2727
• 1127 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9144-NS 9806
• 1137 Cassandra, PA - NS westbound helper - NS 3362-NS 3425
• 1142 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9598-NS 9325
• 1211 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound power - NS 9307-NS 2533
• 1216 Cassandra, PA - NS westbound (2 cars) - NS 9154-NS 9879
• 1226 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound - NS 2730-NS 2701
• 1241 Cassandra, PA - NS westbound - NS 3338-NS 3359-NS 9201-NS 9150 w/ helper NS 3345-NS 3351

When the clock read 1300 I was about ready to leave. I decided to start driving back home but I would follow the Buffalo & Pittsburgh as far as Salamanca, New York. The first stop was Du Bois, Pennsylvania where the B&P usually stores some engines.

• 1456 Du Bois, PA - BPRR power - BPRR 886-BPRR 7822-IMRR 40

After a few photographs of the power in Du Bois I was off to Bradford where I paused for food and went to see the Rochester & Southern engine that is normally stationed there.

• 1654 Bradford, PA - BPRR power - R&S 879

After Du Bois I drove to Salamanca, New York and explored for a little while. I drove by the old Erie station which has definitely seen better days. It's in rather poor condition right now. I decided to also explore Olean, New York but found nothing terribly interesting when I got there. On a whim I chose to drive back to Canada via Gowanda, New York and visit the New York & Lake Erie to see what was there. When I was approaching the station, I was quite surprised to see a crowd gathered around. As luck would have it, at the very moment I was arriving, the freight train was returning and a truck was just finished loading a steam engine. Very quickly I photographed the freight, the steam engine and assorted other power parked around the station.

• 1912 Gowanda, NY - NYLE southbound - BSOR 5010
• 1913 Gowanda, NY - NYLE power - DL 1013-NYLE 6758
• 1913 Gowanda, NY - NYLE power - Viscose Company 6 (0-4-0T)
• 1916 Gowanda, NY - NYLE power - NYLE 6764

It turns out I picked a very opportune time to visit Gowanda. The tank engine was loaded up and left town soon after I arrived. That was a pretty amazing finish to a fine trip. Too bad they all can't be this productive!