Article by Michael C. Smith/Photos by the author.

When I was younger my aunt lived in Manchester, about a half-hour east of Rochester, New York. She lived on Merrick Avenue, about half a block from the old Lehigh Valley roundhouse complex. Since the age of 10 I used to love exploring the ruins of these once great railroad shops. I was always just a little disappointed that I had only ever seen one active train in that area. Now that I look back it makes sense because we only visited on weekends, most of the time on a Sunday. In those days, Conrail was operating this small remainder of the LV while Ontario County sought a permanent operator. I didn't know that at the time, but I wondered if there were any trains left in this part of the state.

Twenty years later when I read that there would be an excursion run from Shortsville to Canandaigua I knew I would have to get it on film. The Finger Lakes Railway (FGLK) has operated this section of former New York Central track since 1995. Enjoying a successful resurgence of freight business, FGLK has recently opened its doors to the public. The excursion was scheduled for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving 2002 with five trips per day! That should give me plenty of opportunity to get the photographs I wanted. I chose to go on Saturday because my wife had to work and I figured that would give me the most time to complete my mission.

Since its start in 1995, annual carloads have more than doubled. The Finger Lakes Railway operates a network of branch lines that radiate out of Geneva. The Finger Lakes connects with the Ontario Central (former LV) at Shortsville, with CSX in Lyons and Solvay, and with NS in Geneva. FGLK operates over 140 miles of former Conrail branch lines in central New York State.

Saturday morning came cold and cloudy, which is to be expected during winter in western New York. I loaded up the car, grabbed a breakfast sandwich and headed east down the Thruway to NY 21. I got to Shortsville just before the return of the first trip so I had time to check out the displays in the restored depot. The former NYC depot is now home to the Lehigh Valley Historical Society. Several model railroad displays had been set up and a slide show of various vintage LV scenes was running off in the corner. There were several glass cases with photos, models and memorabilia that had been donated to the display. A snack bar had been set up and was busy serving the increasing crowd of people awaiting the next southbound train to Canandaigua.

The sound of horns let me know that the chase was about to begin. The burble of GE power filled the damp morning air. This was my first chance at seeing FGLK's repainted ex-Conrail B23-7's (Geeps make up the rest of the fleet). I would have to say that they looked pretty nice bracketing the repainted coaches. The B-boats were painted like NYC freight units, black with lightning stripes, and "FINGER LAKES RAILWAY" spelled out in NYC typeface. The coaches (#7201 "Geneva" and #7601 "Seneca") are of Canadian origin and were acquired from VIA a few years ago. They also wear a nice version of NYC two-tone passenger gray, lettered "FINGER LAKES SCENIC RAILWAY."

This part of town was new to me, so I wasn't quite sure what kind of shots were available. Not having a map of the area I decided that I'd better get a little ahead of the train to get set up for my first shot. I learned later that it would not be difficult to get ahead because the train averaged about 10 to 20 mph the entire way.

I found my first opportunity at Littleville Road about a mile out from the depot. I stopped just past the crossing and shot the train as it crossed some wetlands on a small fill. With it being so late in the season the surrounding foliage was a mix of faded brown and a nondescript gray. The country around here is predominately farm land but recently a few industries have sprouted up within sight of the railroad, though few utilize it. I continued south on NY 21 after that, which parallels the railroad for a while as it heads south, where I found my next location. On my left the right-of-way traverses an open field before crossing Hanna Road. I shot from the shoulder of the road out my open window using the maximum 80mm zoom on my Cannon point-and-shoot. I tried several different shots at this location. I was able to show the train in its entirety while showcasing the rural farm scenery.

I turned east down Hanna Road and made my first right to follow the train the rest of the way into Canandaigua. At this point I discovered a large red wooden structure next to the tracks and thought it would make a nice prop. I was able to get both "coming" and "going" shots at this spot. In town I got some so-so shots as the set passed by some covered hoppers on a siding, but the train was obscured by some trees and brush. I decided to head up to NY 232 to capture the train at the crossing. The train stopped just short of the grade crossing circuit for NY 232 (Main Street) Canandaigua. Located on scenic Canandaigua Lake, it has been the Ontario County seat since its founding in 1789. Many of the buildings at this end of the line close in on the right-of-way so it's hard to compose a decent shot without a wide-angle lens. I was able to shoot from a small park adjacent to the line where the train had stopped to change ends.

As the train began the fourth trip of the day I was joined by my friend Sam Swisher, who used a map to help me locate any good locations I might have missed. The railroad stays in sight of the highways most of the time, but it never hurts to have a navigator!

By the time of the fifth trip the weather was closing in a bit so we decided to call it a day and head for home. It was nice to finally get to see a train on the old NYC tracks between Shortsville and Canandaigua. I am looking forward to future excursions along this very scenic line, as there are many more great photos waiting to be had.