The Strates Carnival Train is heading westbound over the former Erie Starrucca Viaduct, which has been in continual use since 1848, as these roofers take a moment to wave, watch, and take photos of this rare move with their cell phones.

This is the second year that the train has used a NYSW routing coming west from Middletown, NY, whereas for 5 years from 2007-2011, the train ran east on an all NS routing from Middletown to Croxton, NJ.

Last year however, the train waited for a NYSW crew at Sparrowbush for hours, and did not make it to Starrucca in daylight.

Thanks to a well executed plan, the NYSW crew had this train moving right away across The Southern Tier in daylight, albeit with a battered rare leader C40-8 8734, and 9760 (C40-9W) trailing.

Wednesday, July 31, 1749hrs.