Tag Archives: MBTA Commuter Rail

Railroad Photography Lesson: Making Modern Ugliness Interesting—Take a Pan photo.

Railroad photography isn’t necessarily aided by a windswept empty car park, a host lighting poles, catenary masts, fences, not to mention the metal monstrosity posing as a footbridge.

This was the scene at Readville, Massachusetts on Sunday, Morning, December 6, 2015.

An MBTA train heading for Boston was due shortly. Since locomotives operate on the south-end of consists, I set up for a trailing pan photo. I focused on the new engine and allowed the setting to settle into a sea of blur.

Readville, Massachusetts on Sunday December 6, 2015.
An MBTA HSP46 passes Readville, Massachusetts on Sunday December 6, 2015.

This is one means of making the ugliness more interesting.

Exposed at 1/60th of a second using my FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera. Contrast controlled in post processing using Lightroom.
Exposed at 1/60th of a second using my FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera. Contrast controlled in post processing using Lightroom.

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DAILY POST: Screamer’s Swan Song?

MBTA F40PHs Roar West on the Fitchburg.

On Thursday (December 19, 2013) I made these photos of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Commuter trains on the old Fitchburg route.

A screamer roars west of Derby on December 19, 2013. Pan photo exposed with a Canon EOS 7D.
A screamer roars west of Derby on December 19, 2013. Pan photo exposed with a Canon EOS 7D.

For some 35 years, Electro-Motive F40PH diesels have worked these lines. MBTA’s early F40PHs supply head-end power from the 16-645E3 prime mover by running the engine at high rpms. The result is a high-pitched scream that has given these locomotives their nickname.

Replacement locomotives are on their way and the first have already arrived. How much longer will these old screamers work the Fitch? Bets anyone?

Screamer kicks up snow near Shirley, Massachusetts. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens. Contrast adjusted in post processing.
Screamer kicks up snow near Shirley, Massachusetts. Canon EOS 7D with 100mm lens. Contrast adjusted in post processing.

 

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