Can You See the Big Picture?
We all like to think that we’re able to “see the big picture”. Myself included. Yet somehow, I have rarely photographed the “big picture”.
Looking at my shots from over the years, the train is predominant in 95% of the images. There’s nothing wrong with that type of photograph, but I wish I had taken more shots that show the overall scene.
So I’ve started taking more shots that show the “big picture”, where the train is but a small part of the overall environment. Kind of like a landscape photograph that happens to have a train running through it…
KCS manifest PALR (Port Arthur-Laredo) passes through Sugar Land, TX on March 17, 2010
Right Place @ Right Time = Lucky Shot
Three BN SD70MAC's accelerate a loaded coal train through Rosenberg, TX on April 20, 1997
How does the expression go? “I’d rather be lucky than good.” In this case, my good fortune helped create a memorable photograph.
The engineer of this Smithers Lake-bound coal train has just opened the throttle, creating a dramatic plume of black smoke just in time for its passage by my vantage point near the south end of the Rosenberg siding.
Lead unit BN 9598 was right at two years old in this shot. You wouldn’t expect a two-year old unit to smoke like this, but non-stop trips to and from the Powder River Basin pulling 15,000 ton coal trains will wear out EMD 710 power assemblies like no other service can.
I never cared for this paint scheme on the BN’s F units, but I do find it quite attractive on these SD70MAC’s.
PS- The UP, ex-SP, Glidden sub track is visible just to the right of the pilot on the lead unit. The BNSF and UP run parallel to each other for about 3 miles through Rosenberg.
Southernmost Southern Pacific
SP GP9 3361 works a cut at the SP's small yard in Brownsville,TX on Feb. 20, 1980
You can’t get more “southern” on the Southern Pacific than Brownsville, Texas. Brownsville was the end of the line for the SP in South Texas. Just a few miles south of the SP’s small yard was the International Bridge via which the SP would interchange traffic with the NdeM (National Railway of Mexico).
Do More With Less – Katy Style
When railroad officials need to inspect their plant, they will do so via business car, passenger cars that have been converted for use by company officers. The Katy had 2 cars for this service, heavyweight observation cars numbered 400 and 401. These two cars were the traditional, proper tool for MKT executives to inspect the railroad.
In late 1971, the Georgetown Railroad was in the market for two business cars. They approached the Katy with an offer to buy the 400 and the 401. As the Katy was always cash-strapped, they sold the cars to the GRR.
Of course, Katy officials still needed to inspect the railroad. Always resourceful, the Katy improvised. MKT V-P B.R. Bishop ordered the Denison Car Shops to make an inspection car. After all, how hard can it be?
The Katy's home-built Inspection Car 1045 at Eureka Yard in Houston, March 19, 1983
MKT Inspection Car 1045 was converted from an old boxcar. It entered service in 1973, providing a functional, albeit less luxurious, means for Katy executives to inspect their railroad.
The UP acquired the MKT in 1988. The UP, having a slightly different philosophy about how its officials should inspect the property, deemed the 1045 expendable.
The UP offered the 1045 to the City of Denison. Unable to find a place for the unique car, Denison passed.
Ultimately, the UP sold the 1045 to the U.S. Army. The intent was to rebuild it into an escort for military trains. Unfortunately, the need for guard cars on military trains was abolished in 1994, and the car was never refurbished for interchange service.
It’s currently at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, numbered FSO 1045. It does see use, rarely, transporting officials about the base.
Eastbound at Woodford – Pic of the Day
An eastbound Santa Fe manifest approaches an SP helper set at Woodford, CA in June of 1980
The early morning stillness at Woodford is shattered with the approach of an eastbound Santa Fe manifest in June of 1980. The train, led by SD45-2 5698, is battling the 2.2% Tehachapi grade in run-8 with a healthy dose of sand. The Woodford set-out track is occupied with an SP helper set, led by brand-new SD40T-2’s 8270 and 8267.
Isn’t the quality of the sunlight on this shot incredible? Amazing what being 2500′ above sea level can do for a photo. Note the San Joaquin Valley smog in the distant background.
What are the Odds?
We made a quick weekend trip to Fort Worth last month to visit family, and squeeze in some railfanning on Saturday. Sunday was a travel day, but I wanted to squeeze in a few more shots. When we left the hotel, we made a quick run by the Tower 55 area, just to see what might be running.
BNSF 4725 crosses over in front of a UP train at Tower 55 on March 13, 2010
Upon arrival, BNSF 4725, the H AMSTEA1 13A (Manifest Amarillo, TX – Teague, TX) was crossing over in front of a UP northbound. After it cleared up, we waited a bit before deciding to hit the road. We had a good drive ahead of us, and we still needed to stop by and say goodbye to some family.
Fast forward about 4 hours. We decide to get off of I-45 at Corsicana, just to take a look at the town and see what might be there. The UP had 2 sets of local power there, GP38’s and GP60’s. After a few roster shots, we head back toward the freeway. Right before we get to the on-ramp, we hear a BNSF detector. Not knowing the area well, I drove back to the diamond formerly known as Tower 72. This is where the UP (ex SSW) crosses the BNSF (ex BN).
Soon enough I see a headlight pop into view in the distance. It’s a southbound BNSF train.
A southbound BNSF train approaches the BNSF/UP diamond in Corsicana, TX on March 13, 2010
As the train approached, I wondered if it could be the same train I saw as we were leaving Fort Worth. It could be, but what are the odds….? No more time to think about it as I had to concentrate on getting the shot right.
BNSF train H-AMSTEA1 13A hits the UP (ex-SSW) diamond at Corsicana, Texas on March 13, 2010
The train comes by at a pretty good clip. As the train goes by me I notice the light is perfect for a going-away shot of the train.
BNSF 4725, an Amarillo to Teague, TX manifest, passes through Corsicana, TX on March 13, 2010
Going-away shots completed, I reviewed the images from earlier in the day and, sure enough, it was the same train I had photographed some 5 hours and 90 miles back.
Now I’ve intentionally chased a train or two in my day, but this is the first time I’ve chased a train, unintentionally, for 90 miles. What are the odds?
More UP 844
After spending 8 hours chasing the UP 844 this past Sunday, you might think that we had our fill of this steam engine. But you would be wrong…
Eric and I spent 13 hours on the road this past Tuesday as the UP 844 made the Houston-Bloomington leg of the Valley Eagle Tour. We left the house about 0700, picked the train up in downtown and followed it all the way to Bloomington. After arrival there, we spent another 4 hours hanging out at the depot as the locals came out in force to see the spectacle of mainline steam in 2010.
We were able to capture some video, but the edit of that footage was put on a back-burner because it was time for my annual torture session. Yes, the dreaded Form 1040.
Meanwhile, a few stills from Bloomington.
The "Valley Eagle" in a rare moment of solitude, Bloomington, Texas on April 13, 2010
I used the Canon 5D’s B&W mode for the first time for this shot. I really like the look that the in-camera processing gives to the image. It’s hard to describe, but the image seems almost buttery-smooth compared to the normal B&W conversion made in Photoshop.
The 844, in a perfect rods-down pose, at Bloomington, Texas on April 13, 2010.
The 844 is returning to Cheyenne, making the Olmito to Bloomington run today. We plan on getting out to meet it tomorrow as it runs from Bloomington to Houston.
Missing the Shot By a Split-Second…
A UP rail train makes the turn north at Tower 26 in Houston on Feb. 28. 2010
I almost didn’t even stop to photograph this train as the light was very sketchy, but when I heard it would take the diverging route at Tower 26, I decide to give it a try.
As the light on the train was nosy, I put the 70-200 lens on the camera to get a head-on shot. I took a few shots as it went through the switch, and put the camera down to watch the train go by.
As it started making the turn, I suddenly noticed that the signals would make a nice framing element. I quickly brought the camera back up and took this shot, but I knew that I had missed it.
In the 2-3 seconds it took to compose and focus, the lead engine had traveled just far enough to be partially obscured by the signal cabinet.
After uttering a few choice adjectives about my mistake, I resolved to do the shot right the next time the opportunity presents itself at Tower 26.
Houston Chronicle UP 844 Video Report
The Houston Chronicle is doing almost as much rail video as me the last 2 weeks. You’ll recall the segment they did regarding the UP 2010, Boy Scouts of America unit about a week of so back.
Here’s their take on the arrival of the UP 844 to Houston this past Sunday, April 11, 2010.
Valley Eagle Tour – Hearne to Houston
I did a quick edit on the footage that I captured today of the SHEHO-11, aka UP 844 and its special train on the Hearne to Houston leg.
Long story short, lots of run and gun shooting (fun) amid horrific driving conditions (not fun).
Enjoy the video…
The Show is Over
The CIKCA, 7635 East at El Casco, CA on Nov. 8, 1987 with a 4 unit point helper led by SP 7950
On the perfect SoCal morning of Nov. 8, 1987, the CIKCA (City of Industry-Kansas City Auto) charges up San Timoteo Canyon at El Casco.
The point helper set of SP 7950 / DRGW 3078 / SP 8266 / P&L 3044 was added to the road power of SSW 7635 / SSW 7630 / SP 7765 at the bottom of the hill at Loma Linda.
All totaled, 21,600 HP raw, unadulterated diesel-electric motive power blasted by me. The sensory experience of 7 units in run 8, yet only making 30 mph, was overpowering.
The noise, vibration and smoke was an unforgettable show. Sadly, a show that’s over.
Of course trains still battle the grade here, but it really isn’t the same.
Today, the same train can be run with 3 GEVO’s, 2 up front and 1 DPU. Mix in some EPA mandated noise suppression and the passage of this train today is still interesting.
It just doesn’t evoke the same sensory overload that I experienced on that perfect SoCal morning some 23 years ago…
U-Boat on the Coast Line – Pic of the Day
SP U33C 8681 with an SP Coast line manifest train at San Jose, CA on Jan. 14, 1973
You sure don’t see too many C&O or Penn Central boxcars these days. Then again you don’t see any U33C’s, much less in the SP scarlet & gray “bloody nose’ paint scheme.
The 8681 is accompanied by GP35 6589 and SD45T-2 9250 in this classic view of 1970’s style railroading…
Southwest Rails 