HERITAGE UNIT: MAIDEN RUN. It's 7:50 a.m. in the Adirondacks. Fog hangs over the mountain peaks. A flock of nearby Canada geese honk at this photographer as they form a breakfast gaggle. The burble of an Alco switch engine grows increasingly louder. Then, out of the mountain mist, we see SNC No. 821, right on schedule, as it pulls its first train after being repainted into full Delaware & Hudson colors. At track speed, it's an impressive sight. And it is a repeat of history. The first diesel owned by the D&H was also an Alco S2, and it was purchased specifically to handle freight traffic on this very branch. Tight regulations in the Adirondack Park restricted the railroad's ability to operate coal-fired steam locomotives deep into the mountains. Dieselization therefore occurred quickly on both D&H and NYC lines into the Adirondacks. (Previously, oil-burning steam locomotives were used.) This locomotive pays homage to that history of dieselization — a "first" on the D&H and "first" in the Adirondacks. Photo taken from private property after seeking permission.
From a hint of "Bee" (NKP 765), colorful "Bees" (KCS), "Bees" w/ "attitude", to "Bees" that "sting" your eyes, in their own way they have "Bee" on display! Equipment that "Buzzes" with Yellow & Black colors! ("Bees" can still "Bee" entering this "hive"!)
