A Smoky 503 Leads West Out of Northern Maine Junction -7/31/23

On July 31, 2023, I got word that L072 (NMWA) was getting ready to leave Hermon with a wide cab EMD in front. After waiting for quite a while for the RJ Corman surfacing crew to finish up in Carmel (as seen in this video on the siding at Carmel), the train got on the move west. Quick off, it became apparent that 503 was having some sort of health issue as it was blowing black smoke nearly every time the engineer grabbed a notch; this was especially apparent on the grades at both Hermon and Carmel. After busting through some dark cloudy weather, we finished the chase at Etna with some beautiful storm lighting, leaving the train to continue west toward a pending live recrew with WA-2. I hope you enjoy this smoky westbound chase!

[@jackseamon7064]

Great video! A slow train drudging along on a midsummer day. A very nice recording of what happens off of the high-speed lines moving manifests across the country. Actually this is the beginning for some carloads and the ending for others. The actual lifeblood. Thank you.

[@GrampaWaltRailProductions]

Great video!

[@steventurner820]

503 may not be looking good with the smoke but it still sounds good!