Often in our drives around Strasburg, I’ve gazed across the field near the Esbenshade farm, as Strasburg Rail Road’s returning excursion was on its last leg to the East Strasburg station—its engine gliding along, firebox a-glow, and a wisp of condensation and smoke trailing from its stack.

A couple of weeks ago, I was 30 seconds ahead of the returning train, and noted there was no traffic behind me. I saw a clean place to pull over, and I thought, ‘now’s my chance!’

My Z7-II was fitted with the ‘big zoom’ (70-200mm), and I lined up my shots just as I’d seen them so my time from the car, carefully aiming to place the locomotive neatly against the background, while timing the turn of the drivers to catch them ‘rods down’.

Soft Spring sunshine helps.

Tracking the Light Explores the Details of Railroad Photography!