A tip-in-hand made for an opportunity at Bird-in-Hand!
Our friend and fellow photographer, Pat Yough, tipped us off that Keystone 655 was heading our way and helped arrange for Cab Car 9635 to lead west of Philadelphia.
So what’s the big deal? This is one of at least two former Metroliner cab cars painted in Amtrak’s so-called Phase VII scheme, which—when applied to these vintage cars—closely resembles the look they wore in the mid-1970s. Pretty cool stuff. And while we’ve seen this on various occasions, it always pays to act on a tip!
Kris, Seamus-the-Dog, and I beelined for Bird-in-Hand to catch the train. A lineside billboard features a bright light, which helps provide illumination for nocturnal movements such as 655.
We didn’t wait long before the gleam of headlights shimmered on the rails, announcing the westward train’s approach.
To make dynamic images of the passing train, I set my Nikon Z6 III to f/1.4 at 1/60th of a second and panned with the movement.
Soon we’ll be heading into longer days, bringing fewer opportunities for night photography—but more chances to work in the evening dusk.
Tracking the Light explores night photography!