Welcome to Brian Solomon’s Exploration of Railway Photography!
Tracking the Light posts new material daily.
Köln Hbf in August 1998, exposed on Ilford HP5.
A few words from the author:
I’ve been making railway photographs since the days of black & white film and Kodachrome slides. This passion, this obsession—I inherited from my father and it’s something I share with many friends.
This is more than a casual pursuit; for the last 20 years, I’ve earned the majority of my income as a result of railway publishing, a career that blends my knowledge of railways with photography and writing skills. One project at time (although often over-lapping), as an author and photographer I’ve participated in more than 60 books. I enjoy sharing photographs, the stories behind them, and how I made them with my friends and readers.
I highlight the tools, tricks, techniques and other means of making compelling images.
Connecticut Company car 1326 in the Tunnel of Lights. FujiFilm X-T1 with 18-135mm lens.CNJ 113 approaching Minersville, Pennsylvania. Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera.Important, yet subtle compositional elements at work.Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland. The Munster Double—October 2017. FujiFilm XT1 digital camera with 28-135mm lens.Exposed on Fujichrome slide film using a Nikon F3 with 180mm Nikkor lens.Irish Rail 088 leads the HOBS near Islandbridge in Dublin on July 30, 2014. Exposed with a Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.Richard J. Solomon (at left) exposes a short video clip as New England Central job 610 passes Stafford Springs, Connecticut on October 28, 2013. Canon EOS 7D fitted with 20mm lens.July 22, 2017; CSX at West Warren, Massachusetts, exposed on Kodak Tri-X using a Leica 3A with 21mm lens.
A few words from the site’s author:
I’ve been making railway photographs since the days of black & white film and Kodachrome slides. This passion, this obsession—I inherited from my father and it’s something I share with many friends.
This is more than a casual pursuit; for the last 20 years, I’ve earned the majority of my income as a result of railway publishing, a career that blends my knowledge of railways with photography and writing skills. One project at a time (although often over-lapping), as an author and photographer I’ve participated in more than 60 books. I enjoy sharing photographs, the stories behind them, and how I made them with my friends and readers.
I highlight the tools, tricks, techniques and other means of making compelling images.
WHOOPS! Not every photo wins a prize. If you miss an ordinary train, well you can try again. Miss a rare special move, you might feel like giving up and taking up something passive, like bus spotting. If you think your camera is the cause of the problem, don’t blame yourself, get a better camera! Tracking the Light offers advice and practical tips on how to make better photos.Kodak Tri-X processed in Ilford Perceptol 1-1 with water for 8 minutes at 70F, then toned in Selenium for 7 minutes. Negatives rinsed, washed, dry and scanned in color using an Epson V750 Pro.On October 9, 2004, Vermont Rail System freight 263 is near the summit of the old Rutland Railroad near Mt Holly, Vermont.Metro North conductor gives train 6538 the highball at Green’s Farms, Connecticut, November 2015.Wide-angle views with grainy black & white film screams late 1960s to me.Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1 using the external adjustable rear display panel to compose the image while holding the camera close to the ground.Lightroom work panel showing the positions of slider controls.On July 24, 1997, a Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia freight rolls west at Cape Jack along the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.TTC Streetcar at corner of King and Queen Streets, Sunnyside, Toronto, February 8, 2010. Digital image exposed with a Lumix LX-3 set at ISO 80.
Eastward GO Transit trains near Sunnyside at sunset on February 8, 2010. Canon EOS-3 with 100-400 zoom; Fujichrome RVP-100. See: Toronto, February 8, 2010.Southern Pacific 4449—Lima 4-8-4, passes Hooker Creek, California in 1991. Exposed on Kodachrome 25 slide film with a Nikon F3T fitted 35mm PC lens.
There is no one ‘correct’ way to make photographs, although there are techniques that, once mastered, tend to yield pleasing results. I hope to expand upon those themes in these internet essays by telling the stories behind the pictures, as well as sharing the pictures themselves.
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Tracking the Light is a work in progress; I typically add new material on a weekly basis or as events and image present themselves.
Exposed with a Canon EOS 7D with 200mm lens set at ISO 400, f9 at 1/500th of a second. White balance set to ‘daylight’ to avoid allowing the camera to balance for sunset conditions which would have minimized the reddish-orange effect of sunset.New England Central’s southward freight approaches Mansfield Depot, Connecticut. Digital photo exposed using Canon 7D with f2.8 200mm lens; ISO f5.6 at 1/1000 second.Searchlight signal at Brookfield, Wisconsin exposed with a Nikon F3T with f1.8 105mm lens on Fuji Provia 100 film.Trailing view of R&N’s no-GP30 disguises the true nature of the day’s excursion. This could easily pass as a R&N freight. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
LUAS on Abbey Street. Four Courts. October 2013. Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.Mass-Central 1751 leads the northward freight at Forest Lake, north of Thorndike, Massachusetts on October 24, 2013. Canon 7D photo.It’s what they call a ‘hail mary shot.’ New England Central 611 rolls north at East Northfield, Massachusetts in a fading glimmer of October sun. Photo processed digitally to lower contrast, increase saturation, and improve color balance. FujiFilm X-T1 photo Exposed on October 29, 2015 at East Northfield, Massachusetts.
Wonderful photos, just was reading Mr. Solomon article in Feb. 2029 Trains Magizine and checked out his blog.
Jaka B. on said:
I love your work, but I was a bit surprised to see that Slovenia — and especially the scenic Bohinj Railway — didn’t make it into your Railway Guide to Europe. The railroad is even on UNESCO’s tentative list to become a World Heritage Site. Perhaps an idea for the next edition?
Hello, just curious if you received my reply from several days ago?
I’m in Ireland and so sometimes email doesn’t work as well crossing the Atlantic as one might hope.
Please let me know. All the best, Brian Solomon
Michael Ebner on said:
Dear Brian,
I am a avid subscriber to your fine blog
I am completing a book entitled ‘Ever Changing: Narratives from Metropolitan America.’
It consists of four case studies :! Greater Princeton NJ; Naperville IL; Irvine, CA; and Gwinnett County, GA.
I have seen, and admired, two of your Princeton Junction images
I am wondering if you would share with me the rights to use them. I would,needless to say, cite you in the credit line
Thanks so so very much for your consideration + your daily posts on Tracking the Light
I had no idea that any of O&W’s Style B’s survived. Thanks for all the information. That’s fascinating.
Paul Lubliner on said:
I took my first K25 35mm image of Erie Delaware Division Style “S’s” n 1972, but my Dad got a couple of me with T.O. Double armed MP 169-1 “HF” in August of 1964, while in absolute pristine condition.
By 1979 I’d switched to a Pentax 6x7cm for Semaphore imagery and when K 64/120 appeared in 1986 I used that film exclusively until the it’s discontinuance in the mid-late ’90’s. That despite the $1.00 per image cost at that time (~$6 in today’s money) and then for mostly paired 3D images of insitu semaphore settings (no action possible so no trains for those.)
Jerry MacElroy Erie, later EL and finally Conrail Supt. of Signals lived right off Rt17 at MP 169-1 about a mile up that due east back road. Back in 1980, he assisted me with the obtaining of a complete and full height standard “ERIE Style S” formerly located just east of Deposit, N.Y. (MP175-2) at a total cost of $100 “For Permission to Enter the Property” which I still have, as well as a genuine 1908 version (the Erie had quite a few of the first version west of Binghamton as the road didn’t really wait until 1910 as you’ve suggested) and another one off the Susquehanna at Passaic, N.Y. (Over Rt. 22). Then too there’s that double armed NYO&W Style B the only one that survives off that road……. all now out here in California.
On October 8th, 2016 my organization is hosting a Rails event in Michigan. I am pretty keen to have someone speak on the war effort, WWI, and the American Railroads. Might you suggest someone?
I will do my best to identify the signal’s function, but I don’t have a Norfolk Southern rule book handy, which may be the best source of information.
Brian S.
Joe Kurilec on said:
Hi,
Saw your article in the 1-2016 issue of Trains on “Reading the Lights”. I have a question and would like to send you 3 images taken on the NS in North Ridgeville,OH. They are of an X signal that blinks red every 3 or 4 seconds. I have asked this question to “Ask MR” and “Trains”. I have had no reply and DO understand that they get many requests. Seeing this article, which was VERY good, I am hoping that you could answer my question on what these signal are for.
THANK YOU! Joe Kurilec,MMR
Hello Nuala,
I sent an email several days ago, but I haven’t heard back from you, so I presume you did not get it?
Brian
Nuala Garvan on said:
Hi Brian
I would love to use one of your photos in a case study I am doing. We have done some work for Irish Rail, but need a photo that best reflects where we worked.
Great shots Brian, Jaw-drop camera work.. I’m here in Dublin, found you accidentally (the beauty & perpetual mystery-tour surprise of the ‘net)
It was that killer evening shot of the TTC streetcar at Queen & King that brought me to your site. I know Toronto. (T.O.) The colors & light in that shot are arresting. Some amazing spontaneity in your shots here on your site, & some of them, maybe because of the inherent nature of long-distance rail travel, are lonely-looking.
Then your Dublin Luas shots caught me by surprise. Us Dubliners tend to abbreviate or anthropomorphise our services/amenities, so a growing number are referring to using a Luas ( gaelic word meaning speed,velocity) as ”catchin’ a Daniel day..” (Lewis) or ”..jumpin’ a Jerry Lee..”
Brian,
I am a member of a group restoring the Greendell Station on the Lackawanna Cutoff. Thought you might be interested.
Steve
Sands Ritchie on said:
A new insight gained by finding your sight. Thank you!
Not just the dramatic, but the every day is inspiring.
Train people seek out trains – your images bring out all the meaning, the smells, the sounds…
I’ve been fortunate to grow up in the north-east US and traveled elsewhere in the world, where trains were and still are the arteries of transportation for people and commerce. Even in death, the old, abandoned iron mine railways continue to connect people with the landscapes they live in.
Very nice work, Brian. I was with a mutual friend in the Berkshires photographing Conrail about 20 years ago and you came walking down the track. I should be able to keep in touch in a more suitable manner as a subscriber.
Glad you enjoy the site. Erie is one of my favorite subjects, having only known it from the Conrail-era forward. I’ll post more Erie relatied photos from time to time. Cheers, Brian S.
Brian Rogers on said:
Hi Brian,
I’m delighted to have discovered your website just now. Found it in the Erie-Lackawanna listserv. Grew up on the Erie in western NY.
regards, Brian Rogers
John Kokolski on said:
Love what I have seen of your work. Thanks for supporting Bill with his new store. I did a lot of consignment with Tuckers and will continue with Bill.
Bob got us into the model train business, which we operate as Springfield Southern Hobbies. We miss him still. Russell and Bill have become good friends. About once a month, we are in the store, bringing Bill our latest finds.
Love his sense of humor and knowledge. More often than not, he can turn something ugly into something that sells for us. Hope to see you at the shop or at a show. We also have a facebook page under the name listed above.
Next time I’m in the area, I’ll be sure to stop by. IRM is always a joy to visit.
Brian Solomon
John Mustard on said:
Hi Brian: I am a volunteer in the Used Book Store at IRM. Your books come to us as donations from people who have bought your books when new. Your books are very popular and have generated a lot of revenue for the museum. Thank you, and stop and visit with us some time. We are open Wednesdays and weekends during the season.
Good writing, photos of an area we miss. In the 70s I worked in a state of the art electronics plant in Nashua built in a 100+ year old textile mill and could look out my office window to see a B&M switcher heading up the Hillsboro branch. Sure wish I had used my Minolta SLR a lot more
Wonderful photos, just was reading Mr. Solomon article in Feb. 2029 Trains Magizine and checked out his blog.
I love your work, but I was a bit surprised to see that Slovenia — and especially the scenic Bohinj Railway — didn’t make it into your Railway Guide to Europe. The railroad is even on UNESCO’s tentative list to become a World Heritage Site. Perhaps an idea for the next edition?
Just discovered your site…a real delight.
Hello, just curious if you received my reply from several days ago?
I’m in Ireland and so sometimes email doesn’t work as well crossing the Atlantic as one might hope.
Please let me know. All the best, Brian Solomon
Dear Brian,
I am a avid subscriber to your fine blog
I am completing a book entitled ‘Ever Changing: Narratives from Metropolitan America.’
It consists of four case studies :! Greater Princeton NJ; Naperville IL; Irvine, CA; and Gwinnett County, GA.
I have seen, and admired, two of your Princeton Junction images
I am wondering if you would share with me the rights to use them. I would,needless to say, cite you in the credit line
Thanks so so very much for your consideration + your daily posts on Tracking the Light
I had no idea that any of O&W’s Style B’s survived. Thanks for all the information. That’s fascinating.
I took my first K25 35mm image of Erie Delaware Division Style “S’s” n 1972, but my Dad got a couple of me with T.O. Double armed MP 169-1 “HF” in August of 1964, while in absolute pristine condition.
By 1979 I’d switched to a Pentax 6x7cm for Semaphore imagery and when K 64/120 appeared in 1986 I used that film exclusively until the it’s discontinuance in the mid-late ’90’s. That despite the $1.00 per image cost at that time (~$6 in today’s money) and then for mostly paired 3D images of insitu semaphore settings (no action possible so no trains for those.)
Jerry MacElroy Erie, later EL and finally Conrail Supt. of Signals lived right off Rt17 at MP 169-1 about a mile up that due east back road. Back in 1980, he assisted me with the obtaining of a complete and full height standard “ERIE Style S” formerly located just east of Deposit, N.Y. (MP175-2) at a total cost of $100 “For Permission to Enter the Property” which I still have, as well as a genuine 1908 version (the Erie had quite a few of the first version west of Binghamton as the road didn’t really wait until 1910 as you’ve suggested) and another one off the Susquehanna at Passaic, N.Y. (Over Rt. 22). Then too there’s that double armed NYO&W Style B the only one that survives off that road……. all now out here in California.
Hello there,
On October 8th, 2016 my organization is hosting a Rails event in Michigan. I am pretty keen to have someone speak on the war effort, WWI, and the American Railroads. Might you suggest someone?
Dear Joe,
You may send the photos to me at:
briansolomon.author@gmail.com
I will do my best to identify the signal’s function, but I don’t have a Norfolk Southern rule book handy, which may be the best source of information.
Brian S.
Hi,
Saw your article in the 1-2016 issue of Trains on “Reading the Lights”. I have a question and would like to send you 3 images taken on the NS in North Ridgeville,OH. They are of an X signal that blinks red every 3 or 4 seconds. I have asked this question to “Ask MR” and “Trains”. I have had no reply and DO understand that they get many requests. Seeing this article, which was VERY good, I am hoping that you could answer my question on what these signal are for.
THANK YOU! Joe Kurilec,MMR
Hello Nuala,
I sent an email several days ago, but I haven’t heard back from you, so I presume you did not get it?
Brian
Hi Brian
I would love to use one of your photos in a case study I am doing. We have done some work for Irish Rail, but need a photo that best reflects where we worked.
Let me know what’s involved.
Many thanks
Nuala
Thank you, your comments are much appreciated! Glad the internet delivered as promised.
Great shots Brian, Jaw-drop camera work.. I’m here in Dublin, found you accidentally (the beauty & perpetual mystery-tour surprise of the ‘net)
It was that killer evening shot of the TTC streetcar at Queen & King that brought me to your site. I know Toronto. (T.O.) The colors & light in that shot are arresting. Some amazing spontaneity in your shots here on your site, & some of them, maybe because of the inherent nature of long-distance rail travel, are lonely-looking.
Then your Dublin Luas shots caught me by surprise. Us Dubliners tend to abbreviate or anthropomorphise our services/amenities, so a growing number are referring to using a Luas ( gaelic word meaning speed,velocity) as ”catchin’ a Daniel day..” (Lewis) or ”..jumpin’ a Jerry Lee..”
Nice
https://www.facebook.com/GreendellNJStationMuseum
Brian,
I am a member of a group restoring the Greendell Station on the Lackawanna Cutoff. Thought you might be interested.
Steve
A new insight gained by finding your sight. Thank you!
Not just the dramatic, but the every day is inspiring.
Train people seek out trains – your images bring out all the meaning, the smells, the sounds…
I’ve been fortunate to grow up in the north-east US and traveled elsewhere in the world, where trains were and still are the arteries of transportation for people and commerce. Even in death, the old, abandoned iron mine railways continue to connect people with the landscapes they live in.
Thank you Thomas! All the best, Brian Solomon
Good Morning Brian,
thanks for sharing your photos and ideas. It was nice to visit your page.
God bless you.
Thomas (Germany)
Very nice work, Brian. I was with a mutual friend in the Berkshires photographing Conrail about 20 years ago and you came walking down the track. I should be able to keep in touch in a more suitable manner as a subscriber.
Brian: would you have Wisconsin Central views you could share with us at WC2scale.org? Great photographs! Bob Menzies moderator/owner.
Glad you enjoy the site. Erie is one of my favorite subjects, having only known it from the Conrail-era forward. I’ll post more Erie relatied photos from time to time. Cheers, Brian S.
Hi Brian,
I’m delighted to have discovered your website just now. Found it in the Erie-Lackawanna listserv. Grew up on the Erie in western NY.
regards, Brian Rogers
Love what I have seen of your work. Thanks for supporting Bill with his new store. I did a lot of consignment with Tuckers and will continue with Bill.
Bob got us into the model train business, which we operate as Springfield Southern Hobbies. We miss him still. Russell and Bill have become good friends. About once a month, we are in the store, bringing Bill our latest finds.
Love his sense of humor and knowledge. More often than not, he can turn something ugly into something that sells for us. Hope to see you at the shop or at a show. We also have a facebook page under the name listed above.
John and Michelle
great pix
Great site!
Next time I’m in the area, I’ll be sure to stop by. IRM is always a joy to visit.
Brian Solomon
Hi Brian: I am a volunteer in the Used Book Store at IRM. Your books come to us as donations from people who have bought your books when new. Your books are very popular and have generated a lot of revenue for the museum. Thank you, and stop and visit with us some time. We are open Wednesdays and weekends during the season.
Great photos.
Great photos, indeed.
Nice article on LV 211
Thank you!
I post new material every morning.
I hope you enjoy it!
Cheers,
Brian Solomon
Looking forward to following the blog!
thanks!
Railroads and Photography – a terrific mix. Thanks for the beautiful shots.
Yes, of course, please share with a credit to Tracking the Light. BS.
Good Morning Brian
I would like your permission to post some of you photos, with a photo credit to you, on my ‘Ribbons Of Steel’ board on Pinterest.
Cheers
Bill Shattuck
Thank you for sharing your craft, and these great photos.
I’d love to see those some time! Brian Solomon
Good writing, photos of an area we miss. In the 70s I worked in a state of the art electronics plant in Nashua built in a 100+ year old textile mill and could look out my office window to see a B&M switcher heading up the Hillsboro branch. Sure wish I had used my Minolta SLR a lot more