It's getting late in the afternoon as Q424 coasts eastward down into the community of Chester, just about done with it's descent of the 13 miles of 1.5% grade that twist and turn down the east face of Washington Hill. Fall foliage here in Chester is just about as peak as it's going to get this year, which is a stark contrast to the state of things further up the mountain where inclement weather and dropping temperatures have taken a hefty toll on the presence of color in much of the area to the west. Significantly masked from view by intruding vegetation is the old B&A coaling tower, one of two remnants that still remain here from Chester's days as a round-the-clock helper base, an operation very much necessary during steam days, and on some occasions (as was the case earlier in the afternoon) are still needed today.
