Tag Archives: #High Speed Train

photography

I Can’t Believe I Did This!

If thirty-five years ago you had told me that I’d be able to photograph high-speed trains at night, I’d have thought you were talking about blurry streaks through the darkness.

However, in 2026 I have the tools in hand to freeze an Amtrak Acela traveling at more than 100 mph at night—and without flash.

Kris and I arrived at the Newark, Delaware, station with enough time for me to check the asmtransitdocs.com app on my phone.

“Acela 2128 is through Elkton. We should be seeing a headlight in about two minutes.”

I grabbed my Nikon Z7-II fitted with my Nikkor “Fast Fifty.” I saw the rapidly approaching headlight and quickly set the camera to ISO 25,800, with the shutter speed set to “Auto.” Bright lights illuminated the station platforms.

A new Acela set blitzed through the station traveling at 108 mph.

I was able to use a shutter speed of 1/1,600 of a second, which froze the motion of the train. The results astounded me.

Trailing view of Amtrak’s Acela passing the station at Newark, Delaware. Photo exposed using ambient light at 1/1600 second.
Amtrak’s Acela at 108mph! In this view you can see the bright platform lights that illuminated the scene.

Tracking the Light Pushes the Limits of Railroad Night Photography!