A drab locomotive did nothing to brighten the scene on a cloudy winter morning at Jefferson, Junction, Pennsylvania, or JN Cabin. The train is on the Delaware & Hudson Penn Division, and the “Jeff Connection” to Conrail’s Southern Tier line is on the left. The Jefferson Connection is a bit deceptive to the casual visitor. The connection to the Southern Tier is less than two miles away, as is the point where the Penn Division passes under the Southern Tier at the Starrucca Viaduct. It seems that the connection would drop down to the meet the Penn Division at JN, but it is relatively level. The north slope of the famed Ararat grade begins at Lanesboro, and the Penn Division rises from there to JN. A closer look at the train indicated that it is indeed climbing.
