Laser Show At Sunset. As the colors change on the trees across MTA Metro-North Railroad, leaves fall on the tracks, which causes numerous operating problems for trains. The Laser Train car (MNCW 5010) is one of two Comet IIIs (5009 is the other) purchased by the MTA for West-Of-Hudson service. After retirement, both came to the east side of the river. This car is equipped with Laser Precision Solutions (LPS) technology, and works by vaporizing ("laser ablation" of) leaf residue off of the rails throughout the system. The task of leaf removal had previously been done by MNR's "Water World" trains spraying water. During the autumn season, leaves falling on the tracks can cause "slip-slide" conditions when run over by trains, and are especially a problem for braking. Poor rail adhesion causes flat spots on train wheels, which requires the trains to be withdrawn from service for maintenance. The Laser Train does this traveling at track speed while trains that spray water must travel much more slowly to be effective. In 2023, this resulted in "the lowest wheel-true cost season on record". This colorful wrap was applied by MNR, with a leaf design decorating the car. The train usually has a BL20GH for power, but this week has used MNR painted P32AC-DM MNCW 218.
A continuously growing album of photos that IMHO reveal the awesome and seldom-seen beauty of the railroad world from the dimming of day to dawn's early light! From dusk to dawn, trains roll on! (I'm still finding gems of sunset-to-sunrise surprises!)
