RK update 020410
(02/04/10)
+I had a very enjoyable ride home yesterday afternoon.
(58 +50) Railroad tunnels can be tricky to capture on film without an illegal foot or vehicular trek. Let's face it, the tunnel will usually sharply pierce a hillside or mountainside, whereby the roadway will gradually ascend that brae from another direction, many times not even nearby, and the track property is always posted. Unless the roadway climbs next to the tracks at the tunnel, a photo may be difficult.
Take the Metro-North tunnel under the village of Otisville, in the town of Mount Hope, for example, which is the next railroad tunnel through the Shawangunk Range south of the defunct Bloomingburg/Wurtsboro tunnel I tried to reach a few reports back.
Yesterday, I asked co-worker Jimmy who lives near Otisville if the tunnel was accessible, and he said, "Sure! I rode my ATV through it once. Scared the ***** outta' me!" So I asked if he meant that it was "wheels" accessible, referring specifically to RAKNID, and he said yes. So, after work, I aimed for Otisville.
>The Otisville Tunnel is the longest tunnel on New York's Metro-North commuter railroad, at approximately 1 mile in length. It was sold to Metro-North by the Norfolk Southern Railway in 2003. It was built by the Erie Railroad and is part of the Erie Main Line. It operated under the auspices of Conrail until it was acquired by Norfolk Southern as part of the breakup of Conrail. Metro-North took over passenger service in 1984.< (Wikipedia)
I approached from the east and instead of following Route 211 under the rail line, I turned left on Kelly Hill Road and checked out the Otisville Station Parking Facility and rails. Though I can see the tunnel from the rail stop, it's quite a distance away, and I can't include RAKNID in the shot. No good, so I skirt the eastern portal's rails on Kelly Hill Road, and as I rise up the slope, the tracks disappear from street view well before the tunnel. Hmmmm.
Okay, onward to the western side. Leaving the village on 211, I turn right on Otisville Road and ride over the western portal, again finding no apparent access. I turned around and checked it out from the shoulder above - no access. Damn.
Resolved to try elsewhere at this point, I start heading home. Riding back east on 211 through the village, I pass a Mount Hope police car heading west, and then catch up to a Metro-North utility pickup heading east. Who better to ask if there's an accessible view? So, I follow it a short distance and it pulls in to the station lot. When it stops, I explain my need and chat up the driver to see if there's an accessible view. "Not on that", he tells me, pointing to RAKNID, "but take a look to see if the gate's open", and he points me to the far side of the station lot. "If it is, you can get in/get out", inferring I should be quick about it. I ride to the west end of the lot, and the gate's open...
Through it I ride onto the railbed, and^ bumpity^bump^ the^ stones^ toward^ the^ portal^, where I capture this:
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_10090.JPG
I take a looksee image back toward the station, and in the distance see the Metro-North guys crossing the track to work at a large electrical box.
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_10091.JPG
Picture captured, I^ bumpity^bump^ the^ stones^ back^ to^ the^ station lot, and as I progress through the gate into the lot, a police car lights me up...
(16 +100)(aka 001843) Uh-oh. As I stop, I hop off and head to his window, but he motions me quickly back to the bike. I walk back and wait, and when he approaches, I explain what I was doing on the railbed, and that I had their (pointing to the rail guys) permission. He confirms that I just stated I'd been permitted to be there, and then lets me ride off. As I'm never hesitant to thank a cop for letting me be on my way, off I go.
I banged a left on 211 and as I went under the rails I reminded myself that law enforcement pics are part of this hunt, and as I look back toward the tracks, I see that the cop is now with the rail guys, so I turn around and head back. As I approach, I hear one of the rail guys say, "What? Is a cop image required?" I laughed confirmation as I walked toward them, and started regaling them with the other items on the list. "A rainbow!", one exclaims, "You could've gotten that yesterday!" These guys were very helpful to my needs yesterday:
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_10092.JPG
Helpful, too, was Officer Brian Benjamin, of the Town of Mount Hope Police Department, who was more than willing to write me up for my dirty license plate, and confirmed for me that it was a no-cost ticket...
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_10093.JPG
Today, I headed to the NJ border hamlet of Unionville intending to capture Tim's Auto and Truck Detailing in my lens, as seen in Google Streetview. It's now Hank's... 8^(
Ride on.
Roadkill
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9838.jpg
Kinda makes it rough on us when we're competing against people that can make it through three or more states in the same time period.:joke: And for those of us out here in the wilds of west TX and the panhandle, one can travel 3 to 4 hours before one finds anything on your list other than an animal other than a pet and a county sign.:joke: Just messin' with ya....was just wondering if you are aware of the distances involved in this part of the country. Our NM brethren don't have it any easier.
hyea:
