Featured Photo

Arguably, this is one of my best ever train takes!

The train in the pic I “chased” for quite a ways, …and, at times, managed to get ahead of it, which wasn’t always easy, especially when one considers that getting roadway access like I did here, was, at times, challenging. The photo shows a matching set of B&O Chessie System GP40-2 locomotives. The train in this grab I photographed in south central Pennsylvania at a location on what was once the Western Maryland Railway’s Hanover Subdivision in the town of Brodbeck which dotted the WM system map.

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd engine numbers are, in respective order, 4301, 4191 and 4022. At the time (mid-1980s) it would have been unusual to find a trio of matched locomotives all positioned elephant-style. I love the grassy area in the foreground and that it had been recently mowed, the railroad crossing crossbuck and how its support post is actually a section of railroad rail (I’ve never seen that before and haven’t seen again since), the cluster of buildings with the parked car in front, and how the tree’s canopy frames the lead locomotive.

If you zoom in closely, you will notice that to the right of where the second unit’s fuel tank is located, there looks to be a steel railing of sorts with attached plate with the painted-white numbers 4-3-5 on it. This could possibly be a reference to the distance away this would be from Baltimore (43.5 miles away) or the number on what looks to be a bridge over a small creek here, in which case it would be Bridge No. 435. If you happen to know for sure, in “Comments”, you may wish to shed some further light.

All material copyrighted 2026, Alan Kandel. All Rights Reserved.