Tag Archives: #Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

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Railroad Photography 101-Class 2, Part II

I mentioned that during last week’s Railroad Photography 101 class (held at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania), I was working with two cameras. Previously, I displayed the images I made with a FujiFilm XT1 with 12mm Zeiss Tuoit.

The photos in this post were made with my Nikon Z7-II with 24-70mm lens.

I’ve often said that when it comes to photography ‘there is no “right” answer’. Which is why I often try to learn from other photographers, and why I’m always experimenting with equipment and technique.

For these photos, I set up the museum’s portable LED lights to provide better lighting a on select locomotives. The intention was to direct diffused light into shadow areas and allow for more uniform exposure.

My next class at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is scheduled for Tuesday June 10th. See: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/railroad-photography-101-session-three-tickets-1318803158749?aff=oddtdtcreator.

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Announcements, photography, Rail transit marathon, Tips and Technique

Brian Solomon’s Railroad Photography 101 Session 2: Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Next Tuesday, May 13, 2025, I’m giving the second class of my Railroad Photography 101. This will largely emulate the program of my first class. I hope to impart skills, perspectives, techniques to participants, while offering a better understanding of railroad photography.

This will be held on Tuesday, May 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and will emphasize technique and the approach to indoor light.

If you are interested in attending, see:  RRMuseumPA.org .

I hope to see you there!

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Announcements, photography, Rail transit marathon, Tips and Technique

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania at Milepost 50.

Yesterday (Tuesday, April 22, 2025), I was a guest at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

I paid my first visit to the museum almost 45 years ago. At the time I was dismayed that the DD1 electric was stored at the back of the museum where it was inhabited by pigeons. Today, it is positioned out in front.

Yesteday’s event was attended by various dignitaries, Friends of the Museum, members of the public, and guests. Museum Director Pat Morrison presided over the event. To mark 50 years, the bell on Pennsylvania Railroad 4-4-2 7002 was rung, speeches were made, a ribbon was cut, and a band played (although not all at the same moment.)

I wonder what the museum will be like in 2075?

I made these photos using my FujiFilm XT1 with 16-55mm Fujinon lens.

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Success at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

My first Railroad Photography 101 class held at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania proved to be a success.

We had limited the number of participants to a small, but manageable number.

I started with a 25 minute overview of photography, offering photo tips and discussion of locomotive portraits and other subject matter, before delving into details on lighting, composition and technique. Then the participants were given an hour to wander around the museum to make photographs of their own. I had pre-arranged for some of the safety barriers to be temporarily removed to allow for unobstructed views of key locomotives.

At the end, I told a few anecdotal stories and answered questions.

My hope is that everyone learned something helpful and useful to advance their own photography.

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Reading’s Rocket

Among the world’s oldest surviving locomotives is Reading’s Rocket. This was recently relocated from Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

It was named to honor of Robert Stepenson’s original Rocket of 1829—the locomotive that is the ancestor of most subsequent reciprocating steam locomotive designs.

Reading’s Rocket was built in England in 1838 by Braithwaite & Company and shipped across the Atlantic to the Port of Philadelphia and then by canal to Reading, Pa. It was first steamed in May of that year, and began working in passenger service in July 1838.

The locomotive later greatly altered from its original appearance and then subsequently restored to more or less its as built condition.

Thanks to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania for facilitating my photographs of this rare and antique machine.

Photos exposed using a Nikon Z7-II with 24-70mm Z-series zoom.

Typical of early locomotives, Rocket has inside connect rod connections and inside valve gear. This vital equipment—located between the wheels of the locomotive—is key to the engines operation, but goes largely unnoticed by most observers.

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Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in the Details.

I love to wander around the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and study the old equipment on display.

I made these photos of the displays on a recent visit using my Nikon Z7-II set to a high ISO. This permitted me to make detail photos handheld.

Do you have a favorite?

I do.

G5
X54
E44
GP30
E6s
Tahoe
Rau Studio
EPA 800
B1

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Treasures in the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania at Strasburg is among America’s finest railway museums. Not only does the museum have one of the best collections of significant locomotives, rolling stock and artifacts, but their indoor display offers superb interpretation in a railroad themed environment.

During our visit on St. Patrick’s Day, I made these photos using my Nikon Z6 with 24-70mm Z-series lens.

Adobe Lightroom is an excellent tool for processing museum photos because it easily enables lightening of shadow, controlling highlights and contrast, while adjusting color temperature and color balance. This allows for significantly more pleasing images.

Statue of Pennsylvania Railroad’s Alexander Cassatt.
Pennsylvania Railroad baggage car.
Kris poses in front of Pennsylvania Railroad class D16sb 4-4-0. In 1981, I traveled behind this antique on the Strasburg Rail Road.
Pennsylvania Railroad 5901, the only surviving Electro-Motive Division E7A.
Detail of a statue of Baldwin Locomotive Works founder, Matthias Baldwin (1795-1866).
Pennsylvania Railroad class B1 electric 5690.
On January 1, 1980, I photographed this former PRR GG1 electric at New Haven, Connecticut. Today, it is one many locomotives displayed at the railroad museum of Pennsylvania.
This Union Switch & Signal color light once authorized train movements on the Reading Company.

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