The first run of the 2011 North Pole Express on the Valley Railroad appears out of the darkness in Essex, CT. Canon EOS 50D, Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC, two Lumedyne flashes

The first run of the 2011 Valley Railroad's Halloween themed Fright Train heads north through Essex, CT. Canon EOS 50D, Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC and two Lumedyne flashes

VALE 40 runs with the cylinder cocks open while carrying heavy smoke emission across the meadow. Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Vale 40 getting greased up.

VALE 40 crosses the Falls River Bridge in the hands of a student during "Your Hand on the Throttle" Program. Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Up A Creek. #40 crosses the icy waters of Deep River Creek with a Polar Express train. In the winter months, good boots are required to obtain this shot, unless you have an unusual... (more)

Upriver. Each winter, the Valley Railroad stays busy late into the Christmas season with holiday runs along the scenic Connecticut River. On an unseasonably warm December afternoon... (more)

Valley Railroad's Halloween Fright Train heads north through Essex, CT. Canon EOS 50D, Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC, Lumedyne and Canon 420EX flash

VALE 40 rests on the pit after the last day of regular operations for Fall 2010. Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

In loving memory of Pete Frederickson-- this was Pete's last run up the Valley line. A true professional engineer, he will be greatly missed by all that knew him. In this image, Pete throttles 40 ... (more)

With sunset a scant 15 minutes away, Valley Railroad Mikado #40 pushes her PSX 40 consist south across the icy waters of Chester Creek enroute to Deep River Landing. There, she'll utilize the pas... (more)

The primary power on Connecticut's Valley Railroad is this 87-ton Mikado, built in 1920 by Alco's Brooks Works for the Portland, Astoria & Pacific RR as their #101. In 1935, she was sold to the A... (more)

Two crew members grease up VALE 40 before the first run.

Valley Railroad #40 simmers in the yard posed next to the line's GE 80-ton switcher.