Railfan Heaven - A Cab Ride
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During the annual merchandise auction at our local PBS station,
I successfully bid on not one, but two cab rides between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake on the
Adirondack Scenic Railroad. I finally redeemed the certificates
on September 30, 2005.
Before the trip I gathered lots of information. It appeared that I'd be riding in an ex-Alaska RR F7A
for the 20 mile round trip. Since there are no turning facilities, that looked problematic, but I'd just have to see.
After a nearly three hour drive, I arrived in Lake Placid, starting point for the trips. Seeing a sign for the
Lake Placid Fire Station (always guaranteed to get my attention) turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it saved me from travelling through downtown
Lake Placid, at least for now. A couple of turns later and I was at the Lake Placid railroad station, way early. I toured through downtown
Lake Placid, returning on the same road I'd just taken. This time I stopped at the fire station for a visit, acquiring
a couple of patches for the collection in the process.
On returning to the train station, there was still no sign of activity, so I visited a nearby convenience store for something to
drink, and got back to the station just in time to see the first signs of life from the locomotive.
Ah - the locomotive. As I mentioned, I'd expected an F7A or two. Instead, I found an ALCO C424
idling on the head end. I later found that they found water under the engine, hence the open doors. I parked and wandered
a bit, finally running into ADK Lake Placid assistant manager Bill, who it turned out was the engineer that day. He told me
to meet him at the engine in a bit, which I did. After we climbed onto the engine, he showed me around a bit and left to
take care of more pre-departure business. I took the opportunity to get a shot of the control stand
and the builders plate in the cab. I'd be seeing more of the control stand later.
The old ALCO was idling nicely. I also noticed a picture of the 4243 on the back bulkhead of the cab - an indication of an
earlier life. Further research after I returned home shows that she started life as SP&S 303, and
following duty in BN green, she served the Massachussetts Central for a while. I suspect that the orange I saw on some of the
handrails dates from the SP&S days, but Rusty (our fireman for part of the day - more on that later) thought it was from the MC
days. I don't know what their paint scheme was, so I can't really say one way or the other.
The rest of the train consisted of four cars - "Timber Train" 7401, a coach, Adirondack 521, a baggage with fences across
the open doorways, so the hardier riders could enjoy the nippy breeze of that late September morning, then Adirondack 800,
which includes the concession, and finally Adirondack 5042, another coach.
Looking around a bit more, I made note of my views out the front and back
windows from the fireman's side, where I would spend most of my time.
With our scheduled 10 am departure time fast approaching, Bill returned and did the mandated air tests, carefully explaining
each to me during our conversation. I did manage to convey that I had a good concept of what went on in the cab, even if
I lacked a lot of details, and that made his explanations just that much better.
Shortly after ten, brake tests completed and passengers loaded, the radio crackled with the conductor's "Highball, Lake Placid,"
and off we went, conducting the running brake test as we rolled out of the yard. Bill told me that in the "old days" the
passenger trains would approach the Lake Placid station at nearly 45 mph, braking just as they approached the station. That's
all the more impressive considering curves like this approaching the station.
Once we passed out of the yard limits (NORAC Rule 86 - Proceed at a speed that allows you to stop within one half of your
sight distance), I'd like to say that Bill notched the old girl up to take us up to track speed (25 mph). But I'm more tempted
to say that he notched up the dynamic brakes - almost immediately out of Lake Placid the track heads downhill on a 2% grade.
Nonetheless, we rolled through some beautiful country while our train followed
dutifully behind.
The Adirondack Scenic RR favors the old Hancock Air Whistle for a lot of its signalling. The sound is less harsh than the
standard five chime air horn also found on 4243, but wasn't as convincing to a couple of deer that chose to cross the tracks
right in front of us. A couple blasts on the horn convinced them to scoot. The Hancock is reminiscient of steam whistles,
and somehow seems right when blowing for the numerous hiking trail and private crossings that are scattered along the line, as well
as the many crossings within the villages at each end of the line..
The busy state highway gets the regular horn treatment, though.
Speaking of villages, we soon arrived in Saranac Lake. Speed limit within the village is 10 mph. Hiking is a major industry
in the Adironack region, and Saranac Lake capitalizes on that. Between the community college (the tracks run between the
main campus and the phys ed facility - there are standard RR gates on the walkway) and the cemetary, there is a
trail alongside the tracks.. A little further on, near this bridge, the trail appears to
cross the tracks and run up the ramp on the right side of the bridge. There is no official crossing there, however.
The bridge is a curiosity in itself. Both track approaches still have the supporting poles for the "telltales" still
in place, albeit without the ropes. The bridge itself is not what it appears to be. All of the timbers are for show, supporting
only themselves - steel beams actually support the roadway, supported themselves by a concrete foundation that has
been shrouded with creosoted timbers. Pretty neat!
The "Moody" and "Rule 86" signs heralded our arrival at the beautiful Saranac Lake station, which once served both NYC and
D&H. We cut off from the train and ran around the train for the return trip. It was interesting
to be a railfan in the cab, having fans on the ground taking pictures of your ride. On the second
trip, I'm sure I was in a fans video as he shot the run-around moves, since I was standing in the open doorway of the cab.
We backed up to our train under the guidance of the conductor and were soon
ready to head back. We had plenty of time, so I got a couple more shots of the train
and the train and the station. My favorite shot there is this one,
which looks very much like what you'd see in a brochure. I may see if the Saranac station/museum would like to use it.
You may have noticed that for the return trip we ran long hood forward. This necessitated bringing Rusty, one of the crew members from
the train up into the cab to act as "fireman" - an extra set of eyes since the engineer is blind to the right side of the engine.
It's easy to see why "long hood forward" died as a regular design feature on diesel electric locomotives. During the
trip back to Lake Placid, engineer Bill offered me the right (now left) seat, which I enthusiastically accepted. After blowing
for a hiking trail crossing (after which I neglected to shut off the bell), I was immediately faced with that 2%, but now as an upgrade. At
least there were no more crossings to distract me. It wasn't long before the grade forced me to throttle up to notch 8, or full
throttle, which just kept us at the 25 mph speed limit. A soft spot forced a temporary slowdown, then it was back up to
speed for a couple more minutes, after which Bill took over for the arrival in Lake Placid.
At the Lake Placid station we again ran around the train to prepare to head for Saranac Lake again.
Once again, I was amused to see the fans young and old watching the activity. Under different
circumstances, I'd have been there with them. Before long, we were all coupled up and tested and
ready to head out again.
Since we'd already discussed operation of the locomotive a lot on the first trip, I had more time for a few more pictures
on the second trip. The leaves were just beginning to turn (which was what brought many of the riders out that day), but
even without the vivid fall colors, the scenery is always spectacular in the High Peaks region, be it
a river, a pond, or just the view along one of the few tangents on the line.
At Saranac Lake we again ran around the train (and I starred in someone's video). The Alcophiles among us (I'm a convert)
will certainly appreciate that I managed to document a prime characteristic of ALCO's, the smoke -
right before we ran across the crossing next to the station and Bill blasted that Hancock in my ear....
Before long, we were ready for our second trip back from Saranac to Lake Placid. This time I managed to keep the speed up
better, but I still forgot to shut off the darned bell!
About the only person I saw that day who was more excited about the events at hand was the youngster who, along with his
grandmother, rode with us as we ran the locomotive around the train at Lake Placid to set up for the third trip of the day.
Bill let him pull the whistle cord a couple of times, and he was beside himself...
Of course, we forgot to get a picture of me actually at the throttle, but we do have the obligatory
posed picture of yours truly in the 'drivers seat.' The throttle may be in notch 0, but I'm facing the same way as
I was when I was running...
I only had certificates for two rides, so after lots of farewells, and suggestions that I needed to seriously consider volunteering with the Adirondack (I'm told I could probably
make engineer in a couple of years - I was thinking about it well before this trip, though), I headed for home, but not before
stopping at the state road crossing, where I messed up the shot of the engine crossing the road,
and the Saranac Lake Station for a final shot of 4243 passing the station, soon to once again do the
dance of running around the train, this time for the final trip of the day.
To say that I had a magnificent time would be an understatement, and I would do it again. The entire Adirondack crew was
a joy to be around. They are very much like a family, and certainly made me feel that I was part of it for the day. I would
be remiss if I didn't thank the Adirondack Scenic RR for donating the cab rides to WPBS - they are a railfan's dream come true.
And I'll certainly be looking to start volunteering with them, as soon as I have the time.
