On the way to work a couple of weeks ago I noticed a short work train on the line used by Pan Am/Norfolk Southern/CSX/Boston Metra. Two shiny black SD60 locomotives with Precision Locomotive Leasing markings were slowly pulling a flat car with a side plow furrowing the ballast as a flat car carrying cable reels following it laid blue cable in the furrow and at its end folded the ballast over the now buried cable. A Precision extended vision caboose was coupled behind the cable car. I could not get a good look at the work because of foliage, a fence, and beckoning work; but I was able to take a few shots of the operation. The second SD60 was a three-pane "Cyclops" version I had not seen before. I don't know if the cables are related to PTC upgrades, but the line has had its signal bridges taken down in the last year. Four or five workers walked along the slow moving train as they monitored the plow and cable insertion.
Terry O'Kelly
