Lousy'sPhotoBlog - RainyTrain
When the train arrived in Tobyhanna, PA, a deduction which did not require much meteorological schooling was that the sky would "open up" soon -----> 1
The question was, "How soon?"
In the train were some tank cars filled with propane to leave on a customer's lot. The cars were a considerable distance from in the engine - where no one gets rained on.
"Well...let's get out and assess the situation." -----> 2
A glance skyward was not encouraging... -----> 3
...but an extended hand felt only a sprinkle, at most -----> 4
"OK, partner - let's give this a go" -----> 5
"I'll uncouple in back of the cars for the customer." -----> 6
"Then you move the train waaaaay down there, I'll throw the switch and you can back the cars onto the customer's property."
But moments after the plan had begun -----> 7
...the sprinkle intensified..... -----> 8
...into a downpour; -----> 9
...then into a wind-whipped monsoon. -----> 10
Bottom line is: Having a plan and sticking to it -----> 11
...was in the interest of... -----> 12
...keeping a customer satisfied -----> 13
Now that the three cars - formerly in the middle of the train - were delivered to the customer, the next chore was hooking the remaining two parts of the train together. -----> 14
Although lighter rain persisted during most of the additional 30-mile ride south to Slateford, PA, the Tobyhanna torrent was not repeated. Some places en route included Pocono Summit -----> 15
...where sissy Kim - like at Tobyhanna - was sheltered by the overhang of the station's roof -----> 16
Mount Pocono (Kim was also station-bound) -----> 17
Cresco (from beneath a tree) -----> 18
Henryville (Good ol' trees) -----> 19
Analomink (Trees serve another purpose, too :>) -----> 20
Gravel Place (Only sprinkles) -----> 21
...suburban Delaware Water Gap (No rain) -----> 22
...and finally Slateford, -----> 23
...where darkness prevented photo #24. Photo #25, however is two days older and shows what was done: Part of the train was put on the shortest siding (left) in the Slateford Yard; part of the train was put on tracks closest to the Delaware River (right), and mostly-loaded cars (center) were then hauled back to Scranton -----> 25
Not only darkness, but also an empty stomach suspended "train chasing" 'til another day.
As mentioned in several of my 51 other blogs (a list of which can be seen after clicking on "complete archive", upper right), providing no-cost blog space to its members has become the primary attraction at this first-class, multi-faceted website; as has the thought that somebody may actually see - and comment about - this blog. Thank you when either of the aforementioned happens.
If not because of this blog, I hope that you will find many other reasons to.....
Keep smilin'
Kim
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Reader Comments
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Thanks for finding this blog about the rainy train...and for checkin' in!
Janet - The four cars behind the green and yellow engine are also engines. So this train had five engines! ...but that many are needed for the return trip, when there is an elevation rise of 1,400 -feet in a 15-mile stretch. To further accentuate the need for power, when the train is going to Slateford it has mostly empty cars to be exchanged for mostly full cars for the return trip. Also, all of the engines are 50-plus years old. An uphill climb is a challenge to most old geezers :>)
Duane - I hope you guys have a ball at Gold Beach!!!
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