Roads

[Mark Spremulli]

If someone were to chase the train at the road crossings, could a hyundai Elantra handle the roads to them even though the car doesn't have 4 wheel drive?

[John McNamara]

There are six crossings:

Jayne's Way: Easy access, but very close to Sheepscot Station. If the train has left the station, you won't get to Jayne's Way in time.

Brook Crossing: Blocked by a cable; short walk to track; very close to Jayne's Way. If you shoot the train at Jayne's Way, you won't get to Brook Crossing in time.

Sutter's Crossing: Gated. It's a fairly long walk (five minutes?) from the gate to the track.

"Sheepscot Mills" Crossing: Access forbidden by landowner.

Trask Crossing: Easy Access, but very close to Alna Center. If you shoot the train at Trask Crossing, you won't get its arrival at Alna Center;

Averill Road (Alna Center): This road is difficult to find and has about a one foot drop off the Route 218 pavement at the southern end of its entrance. It's doable but be careful. The road itself has a somewhat high center near the beginning, but gets better closer to the station.

In summary, you can't chase the train on a single run, as it takes too much time to get back and forth between Route 218 and the track. However, you could plan to do one or two widely spaced crossings during each run of the train. The characteristics of your car are not a problem, except perhaps at Averill Road (access to Alna Center Station).

-John

[Jason M Lamontagne]

While most of the crossings don't specifically prohibit access, out of respect for our neighbors I would discourage racing up and down these roads to see our trains go through.  Kids play on many of them, the property owners, including the fire chief at one, already must navigate these narrow, winding dirt roads, and then pay to maintain them, etc.  In short, our neighbors are friendly and tolerate our volunteer's traffic to maintain the line- we don't want to overstay our welcome by overusing their roads.

Limited, respectful use of some of these roads has been and probably could continue for photography.  Alternatively, the train will drop you at a y location for later pick up, and you can walk the right of way between locations.

See ya
Jason

[Kevin Madore]

Hi Mark,

My rule of thumb at the WW&F is one shot per run.  The advice that the other folks have offered is very sound.  You really cannot chase this train.   Attempting to race down some of the dirt roads will not only aggravate the neighbors, but it will beat the heck out of your car.  Not worth risking either.  

If you park along the dirt road that leads into Alna Center, you can walk in and shoot the switching moves there.  Then, when the train goes north, you can either hike in that direction and catch them when they come up the ladder (headed south), or wait in the field at Alna Center and get them when they come back past the station.   The Alna Center area probably offers more opportunities during one round trip than any other.  It is good in the morning and in the afternoon.   In the morning, the ladder shot is good.  In the afternoon, the ladder area is in shadow and the AC station area is lit.

The WW&F folks do occasionally bring out the freight cars and run an early morning or late afternoon special.   The Annual Picnic announcement indicated that they may do something this Saturday evening.  Any of these special operations are also great opportunities to shoot unique trains in good light.   Look at some of my stuff on RP.net and see what is possible.

Happy hunting!

/Kevin