SNOW TRAIN . . . but where's the snow? The Saratoga & North Creek Railway began operating "Snow Trains" between Saratoga Springs and North Creek, N.Y., with the start of the winter season. The plan was to facilitate travel between the Albany/Saratoga Region and Gore Mountain, a popular skiing destination. However, to the dismay of some skiers and many railroad photographers, this winter has been incredibly mild in the Adirondack Mountains. (My former colleagues at WNYT-TV in Albany, N.Y. have called it the least snowiest February on record.) Though Gore Mountain's snow-making capability kept the skiers happy, the SNC "Snow Train" should more aptly have been named a "Brown-and-Barren-Landscape Train." Only the first two weekends of "Snow Train" operation featured snow on the ground. The first run on Friday, Dec. 30th, 2011, occurred during fresh snowfall, as did the second weekend of runs, which commenced (as seen here) on Jan. 6th. In this view at Stony Creek Station, the rising sun is barely visible through the tree branches directly above the rear of the locomotive, showing just how early these trains were on the move . . . and how difficult they were to photograph. UPDATE: snow finally covered the SNC operating area over the weekend of March 3rd and 4th. Check out my friend John Sesonske's photos, here and here! Digital Photo. ?2012 Aaron Keller. All rights reserved.
This album seeks to portray classic New England and Upstate New York imagery. It showcases the most perfect examples of regional identity, with special attention to structures and landscape.
