SOUTHERN COMFORT | With 80 miles of Vermont track needing attention in the wake of Irene, New England Central has sub-contracted skilled railroad repair help from all over the country. Donald Lather, Victor Blusk, Jess Lott, Chris Riner, and Richard Tueckhardt came from Maryland and Georgia to repair washouts, restore railroad beds and track. Their companies, Crane Masters and Utilco, seldom work in New England. "We've never been this far north," said one of the crew, adding, "we're 1300 miles from home and have been working flat out for more than two weeks. Vermont was hit hard." (Herald / Bob Eddy)