| Finally I get this engine photographed in full sunlight. And I had to go through hell to get it. The train was doing a crew change at the road crossing for the NS West Brownsville Yard. Just my luck that some railroad safety van happened to be sitting nearby. The van driver got out and I asked if I was okay to be there. He said something to the effect of I was on government property and in violation of Department of Homeland Security laws, especially with the use of a camera. Furthermore he said I was being recorded on the van's camera. After three years of railfanning this is the first time I've ever had an encounter like this. He said I could use the crossing and go on the road on the other side. Isn't a road government property too? Anyhow that was the side with bad sun. And I told him the reason I was here was because there are only two EMD SD60's left in Conrail blue, to his surprise. He relaxed a little after that and allowed me to have some quick photos, and I was on my way. So I thank him. But I do not thank the terrorists who have caused our laws to be so unreasonable now. Life after 9/11 is never going to be what it used to be. NS 6718 is former Conrail 5578, built in November 1994. At the time this was the last EMD SD60I in Conrail blue. In March 2012 it has been repainted black. |