Friday, February 10, 2023

Friday Fun - On the Valley Line Today

One of the fun things about modeling the Valley Line is that my daily commute from Old Saybrook to Hartford, CT follows much of the old mainline.  But it's closest at the Hub of Valley Line operations - Middletown.

Middletown has been served by a variety of operators since my prototype NHRR folded - Penn Central, then Conrail, Connecticut Southern, Providence & Worcester, and now Genesee & Wyoming. Even though operations today aren't as busy as in years past, you can still occasionally see the old 1911 Airline railroad swing bridge being used and motive power idling away waiting for its next assignment.

Lately on my way into work, I've noticed old P&W-painted power sitting on the old Valley Line but it was just today that I had the time to stop and take a few photos. While things don't look like they used to (just compare these pics to my banner photo), it's still awful nice to see the Valley Line still in service!





10 comments:

  1. Hi Chris, Neat to see a P&W engine still hanging around. Used to see them almost daily here and working in New London. Sent you an email on 4 FEB with questions about detailing one of your RS-1s. Bill Gill

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    1. Hey Bill! Thanks for stopping by here and for reminding me about your email. Apologies for the tardiness of my reply. Watch your inbox... :^)

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    1. Thanks! I tried to get in about the same position as the historic photo - but the engine was definitely in a different place...

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  3. Chris,
    The trees have certainly grown up! I would not have noticed that the first photo matched your banner if you hadn't mentioned it.

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    1. They sure have! There are some historic photos on this line where it's absolutely impossible to replicate them.

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  4. Hi Chris, I suspect this unit handles switching around Middletown in addition to making trips to Hartford and return.

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  5. Surprised you actually caught it with the swing closed. Great shots of the area and 2011.

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