Streamliners at Spencer photos by Brian Solomon

In May 2014, I traveled to the North Carolina Transportation Museum for their spectacular Streamliners at Spencer event where I made hundreds of images. More than 25 locomotives from around the country were on display.

I’ll be adding new photos from the event over the next few days.

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North Carolina's cars used on the Piedmont service were among the displays.
North Carolina’s cars used on the Piedmont service were among the displays.

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Classic diesels lined up around the turntable at Spencer. Lumix LX-7 photo.
Classic diesels lined up around the turntable at Spencer. Lumix LX-7 photo.

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Pennsylvania Railroad keystone on E8A 5711.
Pennsylvania Railroad keystone on E8A 5711.
Late evening sun at the round house. Lumix LX-7 photo.
Late evening sun at the round house. Lumix LX-7 photo.
Wabash 1189 goes for a spin. Lumix LX-7 photo.
Wabash 1189 goes for a spin. Lumix LX-7 photo.
Electro-Motive classic: Atlantic Coast Line E3A number 501.
Electro-Motive classic: Atlantic Coast Line E3A number 501.
Lackawanna painted Fs with a photo freight at dusk. Lumix LX-7 photo.
Lackawanna painted Fs with a photo freight at dusk. Lumix LX-7 photo.
Union Pacific 949 on the turntable.
Union Pacific 949 on the turntable.
Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens. 200 ISO.
Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens. 200 ISO.

I worked with four different cameras, in part to test the abilities of the Lumix LX-7 and Fuji XE-2.

Below are a sampling of my results.

This year I’ll be writing and illustrating a book on streamlined trains for Voyageur Press. In the text I’ll trace the origins of streamlining, its theory, applications, and effects. In addition to locomotives such as those pictured here, I’ll also investigate famous trains such as Burlington’s (Pioneer) Zephyr, Union Pacific’s Streamliner, Southern Pacific’s Daylight, Milwaukee Road’s Hiawatha, and Pennsyvlania’s GG1 electric.

 

Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens. 200 ISO.
Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens. 200 ISO.
Wabash 1189. Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 40mm lens.
Wabash 1189. Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 40mm lens.
Burlington E5A. Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.
Burlington E5A. Exposed with Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens.

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Lumix LX-7 view of diesels at Spencer, North Carolina.
Lumix LX-7 view of diesels at Spencer, North Carolina.
A magnificent collection of fallen flags (and NS).
A magnificent collection of fallen flags (and NS).
It's not all about the locomotives, this fine old passenger car caught my eye.
It’s not all about the locomotives, this fine old passenger car caught my eye.
One of three DL&W painted F-units on display.
One of three DL&W painted F-units on display.

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Wabash 1009. What's in a number? (When 1009 =10,000.)
Wabash 1009. What’s in a number? (When 1009 =10,000.)
May 28, 2014; Norfolk & Western 611. Exposed with a Lumix LX-7.
May 28, 2014; Norfolk & Western 611. Exposed with a Lumix LX-7.

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Tracking the Light posts new material daily!

8 comments on “Streamliners at Spencer photos by Brian Solomon

  1. It’s been 2 years since STREAMLINERS AT SPENCER, and I have recently enjoyed your work on the event, for a second time. I hope you give some thought to the STREAMLINERS 2016 event at Goulburn N.S.W. in early October. They’ll be plenty of opportunities for you and your cameras to work your miracles.

  2. I was at the Streamliners at Spencer event also, but I really enjoyed seeing your work. Through it, I saw so many images that I could not, or did not “see” when i was there.

  3. John Cannizzaro on said:

    Thank You Brian ,
    Your work is always top notch and interesting in many ways.
    It’s very enjoyable to see these photos on a daily basis . Photo equipment has
    come a long way since my old Argus C-3 and Kodak Tri-X film !

  4. Hi Brian,
    Thanks! Give me a shout sometime.
    My phone remains the same.
    Talk soon,
    Brian

  5. Brian Burns on said:

    Brian,

    It’s been a while. Keep in touch. This site is good, as your work is always enjoyable to view or read.

    Brian Burns

  6. Thanks Tom! The event was extremely well done. I was impressed by the great variety of equipment on display and the space available for photographs. I’ve experienced record numbers of visits to Tracking the Light and plan to continue to feature images over the next few days. Stay tuned! Cheers, Brian Solomon.

  7. Tom Sharratt on said:

    Very nice coverage, Brian – My wife and I have really enjoyed seeing this wonderful event through your lens!

  8. Scott on said:

    I say get the XE2 I have one and can say the glass is outstanding and the files are nice to. Have a great time for me I can’t make it.

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Railway photography by Brian Solomon

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