The Flickr Dakdillon Image Generatr

Decided to finally unearth this series of photos from the Dak Dillon and MPT Photography CNJ 113 photo session. I made the rookie mistake to put my faith into a high ISO setting. As you can see in the fine details, I've made a grave error.

However, enough was able to be saved after being cleaned and edited to present the hosts of the photo session, Dak Dillon, right, and Mark, left. Together this powerhouse tag team led a very underwhelming session into possibly the most enjoyable little night session ever.

After a busy day of hauling railfans and doing numerous run-bys, Valley Railroad Company 2-8-0 Consolidation 97, rests for a moment at the Essex Station in Essex, Connecticut. Hopping out of the cab, the fireman begins to check and asses 97's side rods and linkage.

Built in 1923 by ALCO. Originally intended for Cuba, it was sold to the Birmingham & Southeastern Railroad in 1926. After retirement in 1958, 97 was restored for excursion service in Vermont and later moved to Essex, Connecticut, in 1970. Since 1973, 97 has operated on the Valley Railroad, with a major overhaul completed in 2018.

Working its way up the line, Valley Railroad Company 2-8-0 Consolidation, 97, passes by Milepost 11. Peak fall season hasn't hit the Connecticut River Valley just yet, but hints of yellow are beginning to show in the trees

Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company.
*This image was taken on private property with permission from the crew and event organizers. Please do not trespass!*

Valley Railroad Company 2-8-0 Consolidation steam engine, 97, makes its way up the line towards the Goodspeed Station in Haddam, Connecticut. The route of the Valley Railroad Company is a very scenic route because the line parallels the Connecticut River, allowing for beautiful scenes like this.

Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company.
*This image was taken on private property with permission from the crew and event organizers. Please do not trespass!*

Valley Railroad 2-8-0 Consolidation type steam engine 97 effortlessly leads a local commuter train under a dense tree canopy in Deep River, Connecticut, bound for Goodspeed Station


Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company

Reading & Northern 4-8-4 Northern 2102 backs into the Reading Outer Station to couple up to its train. 2102 would be once again pulling the Iron Horse Rambles for first time for the 2024 season. As the engine arrives, many railfans who were at the Port Clinton sheds begin to arrive and grab their camera gear, one of those photographers, Dak Dillon, the one in the hat, no, the other hat, glances back to see where 2102 is and to what photo spots he might want as the massive steam engine crawls into the station.

With the evening light slowly disappearing, and a light rain rolling in, CNJ 113 wheels itself into the Minersville Station as a railway worker signals the crew.


Taken during a night photo session held by Dak Dillon and MPT Photography at the Minersville Train Station

Valley Railroad Company 2-8-0
#97 crosses over the Deep River Cove bridge in Deep River, Connecticut. Hauling a local commuter train up from Essex, the engine makes good time amidst the gloomy skies above.


Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company.
*This image was taken on private property with permission from the crew and event organizers. Please do not trespass!*

Hissing steam, clanking and wheezing air pumps, and the smell of hot grease fill the air as
Valley Railroad Company 2-8-2 #40 sits at the Essex station, awaiting orders to head out.


Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company.
*This image was taken on private property with permission from the crew and event organizers. Please do not trespass!*

Late into the night, a crew change takes place in the Essex rail yard of the Valley Railroad Company. The 2-8-2 Mikado #40 sits idle as its crew pauses for a brief chat.


Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company.
*This image was taken on private property with permission from the crew and event organizers. Please do not trespass!*

On the morning of October 9th, outside the engine sheds of the Valley Railroad Company in Essex, Connecticut, 2-8-0 consolidation steam engine 97 gets serviced before the busy day ahead. A crew member is seen washing out the ash pan of the locomotive.

Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company.
*This image was taken on private property with permission from the crew and event organizers. Please do not trespass!*

Late into the night, Valley Railroad Company 2-8-2 Mikado awaits in the Essex, Connecticut, yard as a crew change is under way. However, a short crew change becomes drawn out conversation between some of the crew, as the train crew sit waiting for the conversation to end.


Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company.
*This image was taken on private property with permission from the crew and event organizers. Please do not trespass!*

Valley Railroad 2-8-0 #97 rushes across Old Deep River Road in Essex Connecticut. A 1930s Ford coup waits at the crossing for the local commuter train to pass by.

Taken during the Dak Dillon Steam Charter held at the Essex Valley Railroad Company.