the hill. We set up the cameras, and Joe did the honors with
the flash bulbs. Footing was slippery, with frost on the grass of
the embankment. He nearly fell into the river below! Despite
the limited time and tight conditions, we nailed what might
just be THE shot of the entire trip (22). We quickly got out of
the way as the crew got onboard. The Alcos notched up, nearly
stalling on the frost-covered rails as they pulled their tonnage
up the 1.1% grade. What a sound!
After that, we were faced with a decision. Our original plan
was to spend the day on the Kennebec Sub. around New
Sharon. But where was MB1? We probably would have heard it
blowing through Weld if it had passed in the wee hours of the
morning. Something told us to stay put. We crossed the river
and walked down the track of the White Mountain Branch for
a bit until we found a spot. By now, the sun had come up and
22b
22: Second AD1 awaits a new crew at the crossing at
Milepost 7 at dawn.
Journey to Allagash - 6
the sky was clearing to a deep blue. And then, in the distance,
a horn! Our patience was rewarded as MB1, powered by Alco
C420 208, a freshly-shopped GP9 and an M420 came into view,
many hours late and clearly looking to make up time. Now THIS
was railroading!
There would be no chase because we had walked in. By the
time we got out of the woods, the train was long gone. We
knew we nailed a killer shot. Besides, it was time to head for the
Kennebec Sub. We headed north to Madrid and then onto Route
4 south for the one-hour drive to New Sharon. New Sharon was
an important spot on the AGR, home to a modest yard, die-
sel servicing facilities, and a major AGR customer, the Franklin
County Feeds mill. It was also the location where the Atlantic
Branch veered off toward the Maine Coast at Lincolnville.
23a
23a-23b: An all-yellow consist of Alco and EMD power
leads MB1 at Milepost 7 on the Androscoggin Sub. as
the sun finally makes an appearance.
MRH-Feb 2014
