I had the opportunity late morning yesterday to follow NYS&W 3040 as it powered a two car freight up Paris Hill on the Utica, NY branch. The Susquehanna had not tackled the hill since late last week & it was a tough slog as the rails were encrusted in snow & ice.

The Paris Hill grade, from Clayville to Paris, is 1.8% making it the stiffest main line grade on the line's predecessor, the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, this according to Taber in Volume 2, page 322, of his treatise on this fallen flag.

It was very cold indeed as I snapped these pics, zero to a few degrees above. But the brilliant blue winter sky made me forget about the brutal cold and I focused on snapping a few shots.

Photo 1: Approaching Main St crossing, Clayville, NY.

Photo 2: Nearly there.

Photo 3: Crossing Main St, Clayville, NY.

Photo 4: Nearly at the summit, Paris Station, NY.

Photo 5: Passing a local institution, Lincoln-Davies Lumber, Paris Station, NY.

Photo 6: Sangerfield bound!

Nice photo series! I always liked the color scheme on these NYS&W units. They look especially good in the snow too. Thanks for posting...