16-11-27 PHOTOS: Thanksgiving at the Airport

One handicap of the Halethorpe Station is the presence of a track fence that somewhat mars the view of trains in the opposing direction. The low level West Baltimore MARC station lacks such a fence, but that station is located on a low speed section of track that makes video coverage bit less exciting. The clear solution to my problem was the Martin State Airport MARC station off I-95 north of the City. Not only is it equipped with low level with duckboard platforms serving all 4 tracks(!), but Amtrak trains pass the station at full speed. There is only limited MARC weekend service outside the daylight hours, but with unobstructed photo angles I figured that the Martin Airport station would be just as strong as a railfan magnet as the Halethorpe Station had been. It would also allow me to catch the second of the Holiday Extra Arrow sets about 30 minutes earlier in the day, which was important this late in the year.

Unfortunately, my prediction turned out to be wildly off the mark as not a single other railfan showed up throughout the 2 hours I was camped out at Martin airport. While things got a little boring from time to time, I did indeed get a number of great photos, although towards the end of the day I had found myself transported to Planet Golden Hour and, unlike director Michael Bay, even I can admit when there is too much of a good thing. End result was I caught both southbound Arrow Holiday Extras, one MARC holiday extra and one Amtrak Regional Extra. You can find the full set of photos here.

First on the scene was Amtrak Train 91, the southbound Silver Starve, pulled by ACS-86 #655. Fortunately I had already purchased my lunch at a nearby IKEA.

Amtrak Acela Express train #2254, with power car #2025, and another southbound AX with power car #2038, show off the ideal lighting available at Martin Airport at that time of year. 

Northbound lighting was not so good as seen here with a 10-car Train 96 pulled by ACS-86 #646.

A bit of cloud had drifted in frot of the sun when Amtrak Holiday Extra #1057 rolled by with NJT Arrow III #1392 in the lead.

 Wider angle shot of Weekend AX #2251 with power car #2003.

Unfortunately my luck did not hold out and MARC equipped Holiday Extra #1065 was powered by Amtrak ACS-86 #608 instead of a MARC HHP-8. Still, a 6 car single level train trailed by cab car #7756 was a nice sight in the era of split level coaches.

Golden Hour was in full swing as Holiday Extra train #1099 passed by with NJT Arrow III #1361 leading. Note the crowd of people in the vestibule cab. I also got a nice acknowledgement on the horn.

9-car Regional Train 96 was fitted out with an extra food service car behind ACS-86 #648.

Northbnound AX #2256 with power car #2032.

No food for the weary. Northbound Silver Starve Train 92 passing Martin Airport.

Amtrak Regional Train 132 had a pair of extra Amfleet II coaches added on to the front behind ACS-86 #658.

The proverbial fat lady singing was Amtrak Regional Extra #1134, which was running as a second section behind Regional #132. The trainset was equipped with an extra food service car and two Horizon cars.

As before I was using a body mounted GoPro to shoot video of the the trains that passed Martin Airport from about 2:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon. I did miss a couple, but below is a list of what I was able to capture. Not bad for just two hours!

Southbound Amtrak Silver Starve with ACS-86 #655.
Northbound Amtrak Acela Express #2254 with power cars #2023 and #2025
Northbound Amtrak Regional Train 96 with ACS-86 #646.
Northbound Amtrak Acela Express #2260 with power cars #2026 and #2029
Southbound Amtrak Holiday Extra #1057 with Arrow III MU's
Southbound Amtrak Acela Express #2251 with power cars #2003 and #2001.
Northbound Amtrak Regional Train #156 with ACS-86 #622.
Southbound Amtrak Regional Train #145 with ACS-86 #620.
Northbound Amtrak Holiday Extra #1065 with ACS-86 #608, MARC coaches and MARC cab car #7756.
Southbound Amtrak Holiday Extra Train #1099 with Arrow III MUs and speed horn effect.
Southbound Amtrak Regional Train #99 with ACS-86 #648.
Northbound Amtrak Acela Express #2256 with power cars #2032 and #2010.
Northbound Amtrak Train 92 Silver Starve with ACS-86 #659.
Southbound Amtrak Acela Express #2251 with power cars #2031 and #2030.
Northbound Amtrak Regional Train #132 with ACS-86 #658 and extra Amfleet II coach.
Northbound Amtrak Regional Extra Train #1134 with ACS-86 #651.



Well I'm not sure if I'll be back next year, but Martin Airport MARC Station is really an under appreciated NEC photo location. I'd highly recommend it for future Thanksgivings or just regular NEC travel days. Next week I head to Chicago where it's off to the races on the METRA Milwaukee District.