NR-2 in Preston Providence & Worcester train NR-2 heads south along the Thames River in Preston, CT past a sunken barge.

NR-2 in Preston Providence & Worcester train NR-2 heads south along the Thames River in Preston, CT

NR-2 past MP8 in Preston Providence & Worcester train NR-2 heads south along the Thames River in Preston, CT past milepost 8

NR-2 in Two Towns Providence & Worcester train NR-2 enters Ledyard, CT after crossing over the inlet to Poquetanuck Cove.

NR-2 in Two Towns P&W NR-2 continues south along the Thames, spanning two towns - Ledyard and Preston

P&W NR-2 along the Thames Providence & Worcester train NR-2 rolls south along the Thames River - the front half in Ledyard, CT, the rear in Preston. Visible in the distant background is the Mohegan-Pequot bridge carrying Route 2A over the Thames River between Uncasville and Preston.

The end is in sight The tail end of P&W NR-2 appears near Poquetanuck Cove in Preston, CT, about to cross into Ledyard

All in Ledyard now P&W NR-2 is now completely in Ledyard, CT as the tail end of the train passes by my position.

Along the Thames The tail end of P&W NR-2 skirts along the Thames River in Ledyard, CT

NR-2 through Fairview P&W NR-2 pulls south through Fairview Yard in Groton, CT

Through Fairview P&W NR-2 pulls south through Fairview Yard in Groton, CT

Bigger is Better A comparison of the two Niantic River Drawbridge moveable spans on Amtrak's Shore Line - the smaller one being the existing, more than century old span. The new span should be in full service by the end of 2012.

NAN Progress A view of the construction site around Amtrak's Niantic River drawbridge replacement project.

NAN Progress A view of the construction site around Amtrak's Niantic River drawbridge replacement project.

Amtrak 171 at NAN Amtrak Northeast Regional train 171 crosses over the Niantic River Drawbridge as work continues on the new bridge.

NR-2 approaching NAN P&W NR-2 approaches NAN from the east.

P&W NR-2 at NAN Providence & Worcester train NR-2 crosses over the Niantic River Drawbridge on Amtrak's Shore Line. In the background is the replacement bridge, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.

NR-2 heading west The tail end of P&W NR-2 moves through the curve in Niantic as traffic goes by on Route 156. Of note is the new track alignment for the new bridge, located to the left of the train.