We contemplated an action plan. Was BM2 back on the move?
We decided to try to flush him out, so we headed down route
142 toward Carthage. If he was still doubling into Carthage,
we would be safe. But there were several miles between Weld
and Carthage where the rails disappeared into deep woods
and we could easily lose sight of the train. We were taking a
considerable risk. About three miles out of Carthage we caught
the sight of a northbound train at speed through the trees.
Oh no! We came to a screeching halt, reversed direction and
passed back toward the big farm curve at Knox. This shot was a
must-have.
After several minutes of white-knuckle driving, we arrived at
Knox and set up at the foot of the hill near the farm road cross-
ing. The unmistakable sound of a Nathan M3 chime was soon
heard along with the chant of ALCo V16 251 and EMD 645
prime movers. For just a second, the sun peeked out on the
distant hillside as the train rounded the curve (3). On the point
was one of the former Conrail C425s, the 251, recently painted
into AGR’s yellow dip scheme. Trailing were a pair of GP38s in
the old solid green. The train hammered by at track speed as
we got back in the car and headed for Weld.
We made it back into Weld with time to spare. We parked the
car at the general store, and Joe and I split up. Joe lensed the
251 as it crept into town. The sun popped out and brightened
the sky for a minute (4). I shot from the porch of the general
store as the two trains passed at the Route 156 crossing (5). Joe
got a great shot of the deluxe caboose on BM2 passing the 200
(6a-6b), and then it was time to chase again.
We decided to leave CPIP and go with BM2. After a few min-
utes, we caught up with the train and went ahead to set up at a
through-girder bridge over a small river (6c). Three local railfans
were already there for the shot. The black storm clouds were
incredible as the 251 lead BM2 down the 1% grade. One more
4
4: BM2 enters Weld with empty pulpwood cars on the
team track, and an empty feed box car at the Osgood shed.
5
5: CPIP and BM2 pass in the center of Weld.
Journey to Allagash Part 1 - 5
MRH-Jan 2014
