Ready to leave the pit Valley Railroad Mikado No 3025 prepares to head off of the pit in Essex, CT starting out the 2012 season

Heading for the main Valley Railroad No 3025 heads for the main in Essex on the first day of the 2012 season

Bending the iron A Valley Railroad fireman throws the switch at the south end of Essex yard, bringing No 3025 onto the passing siding so they can tie onto their train

Crossing the Road No 3025 heads through the switches, getting ready for the first day of the 2012 season

A happy girl My daughter Callie gets video of Valley Railroad No 3025 as they prepare to shove back

Shoving back No 3025 heads back down the siding, preparing to tie onto their train

Through the yard Valley Railroad No 3025 heads through the yard on the first day of the 2012 season

Railfans filming A pair of railfans watch 3025 pass by her train on the first day of the 2012 season

Tied on Valley Railroad No 3025 waits at Essex Station with her train for the passengers to board on National Train Day

Callie gets her shot Callie gets her shot of 3025 waiting at the station

Waving to the passengers Valley Railroad President Bob Bell waves to the passengers riding the first train of the 2012 season, and celebrating National Train Day

Chris at the Crossing Valley Railroad Conductor Chris flags the crossing at Deep River Landing as the train shoves into the siding.

Happy Cub Scouts A troop of Cub Scouts waves out of the window of one of the coaches

Wrong Way at Tate's Cut Valley Railroad No 3025 backs into Tate's Cut in Deep River, CT. Historically, the Valley runs their locomotives facing north - No 3025 is facing south for an upcoming photo charter.

Back on the Main No 3025 heads back down the main to run around their train, preparing for their southbound run back to Essex

Shoving up the siding No 3025 shoves back up the Deep River siding to tie onto their train for the soutbound trip

Tying On Valley Railroad No 3025 reverses to tie onto their train at Deep River Landing, preparing for the trip back south to Essex

Passing Milepost 5 Mikado No 3025 pulls the train south past milepost 5 in the Centerbrook section of Essex, CT

Approaching the crossing Valley Railroad No 3025 pulls their train towards the Old Deep River Road crossing in the Centerbrook section of Essex, CT

Over the Crossing Valley Railroad No 3025 pulls their train over the Old Deep River Road crossing in the Centerbrook section of Essex, CT