Eastern Railroad Discussion > Busy day on the A&A

A friend had last week off from University, so we decided to head trackside on Thursday.  Our initial plan was to go to the B&P in hopes of catching one of the joint AVR-W&LE-B&P coke trains, but they only ran for a few weeks and are no longer running.  We figured we’d still head to the B&P to see what we could see.  We went in to Arcade, NY for breakfast and decided to check out the Arcade & Attica shop to see what was around.  Not expecting much, we were surprised to find not one but both of their tonners running outside their shop and ready to head to the B&P interchange.  Change of plans!

Photo 1 – ARA 113 and 112 heading to the B&P interchange.  There were 11 cars at the interchange.  Due to the light track and small units, 4 cars is the maximum train length.  ARA 112 would take the first four cars north, while 113 stayed at Arcade Jct. to switch.

Photo 2 – ARA 112 heads through downtown Arcade crossing Cattaraugus Creek.

Photo 3 – crossing NY-78 in Java Centre.  The conductor got off to flag the crossing; after stopping to pick him up 112 slipped a bit in the middle of the road.

Rob Smith
Hamilton, ON



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/17 13:45 by DundasMP23.

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Photo 4 – crossing the trestle over Beaver Meadow Road

Photo 5 – running parallel to a small pond next to Welch Road.  The train made some pretty unsettling banging and grinding noises while trundling along here but everything stayed on the rails.

Photo 6 – Switching the Reisdorf Brothers Feed Mill in North Java, NY.  It was fascinating to watch all the activity at the mill while 112 went about their work.  They spotted the four loads at the mill after they gathered eight empties to take back to Arcade.  
 

Rob Smith
Hamilton, ON



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/17 15:44 by DundasMP23.

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Photo 7 – In a well timed meet, 113 brought up 4 cars from Arcade and met 112 at Curriers, which is the turning point for the seasonal steam tourist train.  113 left their 4 cars on the main, and then cleared in to the siding to allow 112 to tie on.

Photo 8 – we decided to follow 113 back to Arcade.  113 went around  on the siding behind the Curriers station with the 8 empties.

Photo 9 – 113 and 8 car train approaching Arcade.

Rob Smith
Hamilton, ON

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It was only 1:00 p.m. when we got back to Arcade, so we debated about heading north to Buffalo, or going south to see what we could see on the WNYP and B&P.  South was decided.

Photo 10 – all was quiet in Olean, NY, however WNYP 406 struck a handsome pose outside their shop.

Photo 11 – it looked like most of WNYP’s units were around the shop, so we figured nothing was running.  Our inventory was inaccurate, because while heading towards the B&P we happened upon WNYP OL-4 returning from the B&P interchange in Salamanca.  A quick U-turn netted us a photo in Allegany, NY.  The paint on WNYP 435 sure has faded a lot over the past few years.

Photo 12 – knowing we were in good shape to catch northbound B&P train RISI, we headed south on US-219 figuring we’d sit in Mount Jewitt and wait for its arrival.  Passing through Bradford, PA we were surprised to see that the northbound was already there, and doing their work at “Tuna”.  We watched them switch, and then headed to Carrollton, NY for a half-decent photo of the two RCPE SD40-2s leading two of B&Ps own.

Not a bad day considering.  It pays to be good, but sometimes you just have to be lucky!

Rob Smith
Hamilton, ON

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Great photography of seldom seen subjects. Thanks for posting

Great Arcade and Attica coverage - You hit many interesting spots. Then you scored again!
Bob

Those center cabs look great
John

When did they get the 113?

Don't remember seeing that unit before.

Great photo series!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/17 17:45 by nhiwwrr.

Great stuff Rob-you did well thanks for sharing!

Mike Bannon
St Catharines, ON

Very neat photo essay on the Arcade and Attica RR - seems like the photos could have been taken in the '50s! In fact all the AA/WNYP/BP locomotives pictured are throwbacks to the '60s. Excellent!

80 tonner #113 was purchased in 2014, it arrived on the property in October of that year.  It came from Con Edision on Staten Island.

Thanks for the comments everyone. 

Rob Smith
Hamilton, ON

Interesting stuff...!!  Thanks for sharing.

Great job Richard !
 

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

Fantastic!

Rob:
The horse shoes you ere endowed with re still in the correct alignment!
Wonderful.

Bryce Lee