Shades of the New York Central System. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad's excursion train from Utica to Thendara (Old Forge) is descending to its terminus in the Mohawk Valley after carrying summer tourists into the mountains. The lead unit carries a NYC-inspired scheme. As of June, 2011, one of the railroad's F-units, no. 1500, will soon be off the property; however, two MLW RS-18s are set to begin hauling this season's excursion traffic. (To the chagrin of some photographers, the railroad is beginning to paint equipment into its own black, yellow, and green scheme; however, the goal is for the railroad to develop its own unique identity apart from its NYC heritage.) Memories of these veteran diesels, bracketed here against a pine tree, juxtaposed against a deep blue sky, and struck by strong, late-day light, will remain with us; and soon we will hear the friendly burble of MLW/Alco engines on this fabled former New York Central branchline. Scanned from Fujichrome Velvia 50. Shot with Canon L-series 24-70mm f2.8 lens.