Tag Archives: Doug Riddell

Father’s Day Special—Part 2

  • Trolling through my slide archives the other day I came across a series of images  made back in August 1996.Back then, I was working at my desk at Pentrex Publishing in Waukesha, Wisconsin when Doug Riddell and his family walked into the office. At that stage, Doug was our columnist for Passenger Train Journal, and  I’d been working with him for two years, but this was my first time meeting him face to face. We all enjoyed a memorable meeting.It’s important to have a camera at the ready. I exposed this series of Fujichrome slides with my Nikon F3T with an external Vivitar flash.
  • Dick Gruber and Doug Riddell in August 1996. Exposed on Fujichrome with a Nikon F3T with Vivitar flash.
    Dick Gruber and Doug Riddell in August 1996. Exposed on Fujichrome with a Nikon F3T with Vivitar flash.
    Doud and Ryan Riddell with Carl Swanson—editor of Passenger Train Journal. Exposed on Fujichrome with a Nikon F3T with Vivitar flash.
    Doug and Ryan Riddell with Carl Swanson—editor of Passenger Train Journal. Exposed on Fujichrome with a Nikon F3T with Vivitar flash.

    Doug_and_Ryan_Riddell_in_Waukesha_Aug1996_MOD1_Brian_Solomon©_268296

  • I especially like the photos of Doug with his son Ryan. Back then Doug was an Amtrak Engineer; today he is retired, but his son carries on the family tradition.Two weeks ago, it was Ryan’s birthday, and so Doug, Pat Yough and I, made a point of photographing Ryan working Amtrak’s Silver Star, train 92. (see: Tracking the Light Special Post: Happy Birthday Ryan Riddell!)
  • Ryan and Doug RIddell.
    Ryan and Doug Riddell June ’15.
  • I think the photos here help put Ryan’s Birthday post in better context! Happy Father’s Day to Doug! And to all the fathers and sons working for the railroad!
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Tracking The Light Presents: a Clear Morning waiting for Amtrak’s Autotrain—Seven Photographs.

 

Amtrak’s Autotrain (trains 52/53) is one of America’s most unusual daily services. This runs non-stop between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida and is designed as a passenger/auto ferry.

It is Amtrak’s longest and heaviest train. It is one of the only trains that is regularly scheduled to use the older 800-series General Electric Genesis diesel-electrics (model P40).

Because of its length and unusual motive power, it makes for an interesting subject, provided you can find a place to photograph it that conveys these attributes.

On Monday, June 8, 2015, Doug Riddell met Pat Yough and me at Ashland, Virginia. Among our goals for the day were to photograph Amtrak 52 (the northward Autotrain).

The old passenger station at Ashland, Virginia at dawn on June 8, 2015, looking south. Fujifilm X-T1 photo.
The old passenger station at Ashland, Virginia at dawn on June 8, 2015, looking south. Fujifilm X-T1 photo.
The old passenger station at Ashland, Virginia at dawn on June 8, 2015, looking north. Fujifilm X-T1 photo. (White balance set to 'daylight' rather than 'auto' to enhance the effect of sunrise).
The old passenger station at Ashland, Virginia at dawn on June 8, 2015, looking north. Fujifilm X-T1 photo. (White balance set to ‘daylight’ rather than ‘auto’ to enhance the effect of sunrise).
Doug elaborates on his book Santa Trains. Lumix LX7 photo.
Doug elaborates on his book Virginia’s Legendary Santa Trains. Lumix LX7 photo.

Based on our experience a few days earlier (see: Tracking the Light visits Ashland, Virginia—June 4, 2015) where we’d photographed the southward Autotrain in the rain, I’d suggested Ashland because of the long tangent and accessibility. Doug concurred and suggested a favorite spot near Patrick Street.

Amtrak number 53, the northward Autotrain, led by locomotives 831 and 816 at Ashland, Virginia. This train was running a on a 'limited clear' aspect behind a northward CSX intermodal freight. Fujifilm X-T1 with 18-135mm lens set to 135mm (telephoto). Notice the unusual grade crossing signal with the bracket arm at right.
Amtrak number 53, the northward Autotrain, led by locomotives 831 and 816 at Ashland, Virginia. This train was running a on a ‘limited clear’ aspect behind a northward CSX intermodal freight. Fujifilm X-T1 with 18-135mm lens set to 135mm (telephoto). Notice the unusual grade crossing signal with the bracket arm at right.
Amtrak number 53, Exposed with a Fujifilm X-T1 with 18-135mm lens set to 34mm . Notice the unusual grade crossing signal with the bracket arm.
Amtrak number 53 is the longest passenger train consist in America, Exposed with a Fujifilm X-T1 with 18-135mm lens set to 34mm . Notice the unusual grade crossing signal with the bracket arm.

And so we waited. Good things come to those who wait! The morning was clear, and although 52 fell down a bit (it was running behind schedule), its delay benefited us greatly. Not only were we treated to a steady parade of northward trains with soft June sunlight, but the light gradually improved.

 

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Tracking the Light Special Post: Happy Birthday Ryan Riddell!

  • Doug Riddell, Pat Yough and I set up near Stony Creek, Virginia to photograph Amtrak’s Silver Star, train 92.
  • Amtrak train 92, the Silver Star north of Stony Creek, Virginia.
    Amtrak train 92, the Silver Star north of Stony Creek, Virginia.

    My aim was to catch Doug waving at his son. Doug Riddell is a retired Amtrak engineer and his son has followed in his footsteps.

  • Ryan and Doug RIddell.
    Ryan and Doug Riddell.
  • On this day 31 years ago, I was preparing for my high school graduation. Where were you?

    Exposed using a Fuji X-T1.

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Panoramic composite at Ashland, Virginia.

I exposed this photo of Doug Riddell at Ashland, Virginia on June 4th 2015.

The camera sews together a burst of images made during a slow sweep of the camera across the scene.

The trick to making an interesting panorama is including subjects of varying distances from the camera which add depth.

Exposed with a Fujifilm X-T1 at Ashland, Virginia.
Exposed with a Fujifilm X-T1 at Ashland, Virginia.

Main Street, Richmond, Virginia—October 2, 2005.

I was on a personal tour of Richmond hosted by my friend Doug Riddell. This was aimed at making photographs, while exploring some history of the area and the nuts and bolts of real railroading.

We paused at Richmond’s Main Street Station to make this photograph of an Amtrak train bound for Newport News. Hoppers roll by on an adjacent bridge.

I was intrigued by the technological contrast between the Genesis diesel-electric and the old Budd-built baggage car behind it. Now, ten years later, Amtrak is replacing its old baggage cars with new cars.

 Exposed on Fujichrome with a Nikon F3 with Nikkor f2.8 24mm lens.

Exposed on Fujichrome with a Nikon F3 with Nikkor f2.8 24mm lens.

The old baggage were among Amtrak’s last heritage equipment inherited from the private railroads when it assumed passenger operations more than four decades ago.

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