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The Best (and worst) of CSXT's Mohawk Subdivision

-2006-

Intro: This photographic essay will attempt to document some of the more interesting events
and some of my favorite shots from 2006 along CSXT's Mohawk Subdivision, which runs from
just east of Amsterdam, NY to Syracuse, NY.  This line is part of the famous New York Central's
"Water Level Route", and now hosts an ever-increasing amount of freight traffic between
major Midwest cities and the Northeastern Coastal cities.

The photos on these pages were all taken with a Nikon D50 digital camera.  A 70-300mm lens
was used most often.  The camera was purchased in December of 2005.  I decided to
"go digital" when I realized that the lenses that I already owned for my Nikon N80 were
completely compatible with the D50.  I will not miss film, and as I type this, my N80 has
remained unused since the day I switched to digital.  All photos have been resized/cropped
and processed using Adobe Photoshop v6.0

Please email me with any comments or corrections.

For the full size image just click on the thumbnail.  Images will open in a new window

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January 16th

Late afternoon winter light shines on Q621 at MP 198, with Canadian National C44-9WL in
the lead.

 

January 17th

GCFX #3097, HLCX #7169,
and 3 CSX units take Q386 east.
I first caught it at MP200, but the
nice weather and sound of 4
veteran EMD's had me chasing it to
Big Nose Curve.

 


January 27th

Another beautiful day, so I hung out at one of my usual spots to capture from left to right, Q165 with a pair of new
ES44DC's, Q627 with an SD70ACe/SD70MAC combo, and a westbound empty grain train with a colorful
mix of power.  (note the lopsided number boards on the lead engine)!


But the real reason for heading out was word of Delaware Lackawanna C420 #334 on Q380.  Unfortunately the ALCO
was not running.  I bagged the train from the property of the Fort Plain VFW, and then an invigorating chase
to Fonda

 


February 7th

Some scattered lake effect snow showers were in the area.
Desperate for some "snow photos" during a very snowless season,
I spent a few hours at MP198.  Q162 with FURX and HLCX
power is first.

  


The rear of Q118 appears to have seen more snow from the west.  I liked this shot for a few reasons, one being the Vermont Railway trailer.


From left to right...Amtrak #48 is pretty much on schedule.  Leader #203 must've hit a small snow bank along the way.
B760's power, a GP40-2, is a study of details in this telephoto shot.  Q159 dusts a trace of snow
off the tracks with a pair of C40-8W's is in charge.  Leader #7308 was previously a Conrail unit.
Note the red marker lights.

 

February 13th

It's just more lake effect
snow, but the timing of
a heavy band, and
Q627 was right,
making for this scene
at MP 198.

February 14th

Superliners on the Lakeshore?  It happened because of standard equipment shortages due to snow in the Midwest.  The Superliners only ran to Albany, where passengers were transferred to single level cars.

 

February 15th

Mild temperatures and blue skies sent
me out for a few trains at MP 200.
At left is Q366 with an ex-Conrail
SD60I.  At right is Q390 with a mixed
5-unit lashup including 2 UP's, 2 leased engines, and a CN engine trailing which had "IC" stenciled on the cab.

 

     
February 21st

From left to right, Q156 with a Norfolk Southern leader at MP 198.  The once weekly Q152 is seen from the Nelliston
Freight House property.  A triple HLCX lashup is pulling S364.

 


February 27th

My wife and I had some business in Saratoga Springs.  Being a good Railfan, I had my camera and scanner with me.
As we headed home on the NY Thruway, I realized Q381 wasn't far behind us.  I had her stop at Lock 13, and when I saw the clean paint on a 4-axle GE (B40-8W), We chased it for another catch at MP 198.
Fortunately it had a slow order along the way.

 

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