With her whistle pouring out a shrill warning, the former Aberdeen & Rockfish Mikado #40 steps briskly through the crossing at Old Deep River Road on the northbound run to Chester, Connecticut. The holiday trains from late November through the end of December are the best photographic opportunities on the Valley Railroad. The leafless trees allow the low-angle sun to penetrate more sections of the line and the cold temperatures practically guarantee that there will always be a nice, white plume. Unfortunately, this day will be the last day of operation for the line. When the fires are dropped in the coming evening, the steamers will hibernate until late April.
