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An Anniversary, Amtrak, Amherst and Emily Dickinson.

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Today, December 28, 2015 marks the first anniversary of Amtrak’s final runs of the Vermonter on the old New London Northern line between East Northfield and Palmer, Massachusetts.

Until February 1995, this railroad line had been operated by Central Vermont, which at that time conveyed it to New England Central, which hosted Amtrak’s trains.

It was on a snowy evening nearly three years ago that I used my Canon EOS 7D to expose this image of the old New London Northern station at Amherst, Massachusetts.
It was on a snowy evening nearly three years ago that I used my Canon EOS 7D to expose this image of the old New London Northern station at Amherst, Massachusetts.

Step back 135 years. Before New England Central, before digital photography, Amtrak, or commercial electricity . . .

Poet, Emily Dickinson, today one of the best-known American wordsmiths of her generation, lived just a few blocks from this station.

On occasion Emily Dickinson may have traveled by train from Amherst to Monson, where she’d have visited members of her family who lived there. Perhaps she traveled to other destinations further afoot via connections with the Boston & Albany at Palmer.

Back in 1880 a train journey to Monson was easier than today, since then New London Northern served Amherst with three daily trains in each direction.

Two southward runs from Brattleboro afforded travel to Monson; one stopped at 6:46am, and required a change to a New London train in Palmer, which stopped in Monson at 8:24 am. The other was a through all-stops evening train that departed Amherst at 5:50 pm and stopped in Monson at 7:13 pm. There were similar schedules for northward trains.

Which of these schedules might she have traveled?

Her train’s consist, I imagine, was a light wood-burning 4-4-0 leading a wooden baggage car or possibly a combine coach and a second coach. Track speed was probably about a steady 30 mph, except climbing Belchertown Hill, and likely faster heading downgrade. More research would be necessary to track down the particulars.

Among the lines of her famous poem about her train travels read:

I like to see it lap the miles

And lick the valleys up,

And stop to feed itself at tanks . . .

From this description, it sounds more like the 5:50pm that routinely took water in Palmer before continuing its journey southward. But then, perhaps she was penning her lines about a northward run on its way back toward Amherst. Maybe the water tank mentioned was that located near the Amherst station. Just some educated guesses.

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photography, Tips and Technique

Amtrak Action Under Wire; Northeast Corridor in December 2015

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Consult your schedules, watch the signals, listen for the hum of the rail, and stay poised.

This is the heart of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, a raceway for passenger action. In between the fast flying Acela Express runs and Amtrak Regional trains are hourly all-stops SEPTA local runs.

Trains Under Wire.

On the morning of December 19, 2015, Pat Yough and I visited SEPTA stations north (east) of Philadelphia on the former Pennsylvania Railroad electrified four-track line. No GG1s today, but we did catch two old AEM-7s.

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Low level platforms here are soon to be 'improved.'
Low level platforms here are soon to be ‘improved.’
Amtrak ACS-64 number 651 leads train 153 at Levittown, Pennsylvania. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Amtrak ACS-64 number 651 leads train 153 at Levittown, Pennsylvania. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.

Tips of the day: stay sharp and remember that the long distance trains (Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Crescent, etc) are not listed in the Northeast Corridor schedule and can run ahead of the posted station times as listed in their respective schedules in the Amtrak National Timetable.

SEPTA local 9714 makes a station stop at Levittown, Pennsylvania. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
SEPTA local 9714 makes a station stop at Levittown, Pennsylvania. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Many times I've traveled on this train; Amtrak 56 the Vermonter, seen here approaching Levitttown behind ACS-64 635.
Many times I’ve traveled on this train; Amtrak 56 the Vermonter, seen here approaching Levitttown behind ACS-64 635.
Amtrak Keystone 663 is lead by Siemens-built ACS-64 610. The sharp photographer needs to keep the train numbers distinct from engine numbers. This can get a bit confusing on this section of line since both the ACS-64 locomotives (motors) and Keystone train use 600 series numbers. Just remember one is a piece of equipment, the other is a scheduled service.
Amtrak Keystone 663 is led by Siemens-built ACS-64 610. The sharp photographer needs to keep the train numbers distinct from engine numbers. This can get a bit confusing on this section of line since both the ACS-64 locomotives (motors) and Keystone trains use 600 series numbers. Just remember one is a piece of equipment, the other is a scheduled service.
Ouch! Bad luck, on an otherwise clear morning one lingering fluffy cloud quenched the sunlight just as one of two AEM-7s of the day passed. Engine 927 leads Amtrak train 155 at Levitttown, PA. FujiFilm X-T1 photo, adjusted in post processing with Lightroom to correct contrast, exposure and color temperature.
Ouch! Bad luck, on an otherwise clear morning one lingering fluffy cloud quenched the sunlight just as one of two AEM-7s of the day passed. Engine 927 leads Amtrak train 155 at Levitttown, PA. FujiFilm X-T1 photo, adjusted in post processing with Lightroom to correct contrast, exposure and color temperature.
Amtrak Keystone 662 is in push-mode with ACS-64 636 at the back. (In other words this is a trailing view.) FujiFilm X-T1 digital image.
Amtrak Keystone 662 is in push-mode with ACS-64 636 at the back. (In other words this is a trailing view.) FujiFilm X-T1 digital image with Zeiss 12mm Touit lens.
Who said you can't use a wide-angle when photographing a high-speed train. Acela Express 2250 was racing along at an estimated 125 mph when I exposed this view with my FujiFilm X-T1 digital image with Zeiss 12mm Touit lens. I had the camera in 'CF' (Continuous Fast, what I call 'turbo flutter') and the shutter speed at 1/2000th of a second.
Who said you can’t use a wide-angle when photographing a high-speed train? Acela Express 2250 was racing along at an estimated 125 mph when I exposed this view with my FujiFilm X-T1 digital image with Zeiss 12mm Touit lens. I had the camera in ‘CF’ (Continuous Fast, what I call ‘turbo flutter’) and the shutter speed at 1/2000th of a second.
SEPTA 9707 makes a station stop at Levittown on its way to Trenton, New Jersey.
SEPTA 9707 makes a station stop at Levittown on its way to Trenton, New Jersey.
Amtrak 98 rolls eastward (northward) at Levittstown on the final leg of its trip from Florida to New York Penn-Station. Remind me, why did Amtrak invest in new baggage cars?
Amtrak 98 rolls eastward (northward) at Levittstown on the final leg of its trip from Florida to New York Penn-Station. Remind me, why did Amtrak invest in new baggage cars?
Amtrak Keystone 664 had this battle-worn AEM-7 at the back. Quick action at Croydon allowed for a satisfactory trailing view of the aged electric in action.
Amtrak Keystone 664 had this battle-worn AEM-7 at the back. Quick action at Croydon allowed for a satisfactory trailing view of the aged electric in action.
I always like to catch the long-distance trains under wire. Amtrak ACS-64 606 leads train 91 the Silver Star on its run to Miami, Florida. Photographing the German-designed electrics under old PRR signal bridges makes for a contrast in time and technology that helps tell the story of today's Northeast Corridor.
I always like to catch the long-distance trains under wire. Amtrak ACS-64 606 leads train 91 the Silver Star on its run to Miami, Florida. Photographing the German-designed electrics under old PRR signal bridges makes for a contrast in time and technology that helps tell the story of today’s Northeast Corridor.
Amtrak train number 20, the Crescent was running ahead of its posted time when it passed Croydon. Pat Yough had checked the time on his smart phone, so we were poised for action when its headlight appeared.
Amtrak train number 20, the Crescent was running ahead of its posted time when it passed Croydon. Pat Yough had checked the time on his smart phone, so we were poised for action when its headlight appeared.

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photography, Tips and Technique

Reading & Northern: Cressona, Pennsylvania—Retro Railroad Fantasy?

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Is it a retro railroad fantasy to make images that resemble those of the late-Reading Era in 2015?

Reading & Northern GP39RN 2532 leads one of the company's Santa Trains at Becks near Cressona, Pennsylvania. This locomotive was originally classified as EMD GP30 and is painted to resemble Reading Company freight locomotives as they appeared in the 1970s. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Reading & Northern GP39RN 2532 leads one of the company’s Santa Trains at Becks near Cressona, Pennsylvania. This locomotive was originally classified as EMD GP30 and is painted to resemble Reading Company freight locomotives as they appeared in the 1970s. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.

Traveling with Pat Yough, I made this selection of photographs at the former Reading Company yards at Cressona, Pennsylvania in December 2015.

Back in the 19th Century, Philadelphia & Reading consolidated various railroads primarily for the movement of anthracite. In its heyday, this railroad was one of the busiest and most profitable in the United States.

Coal demand and transport has changed dramatically in the last 130 years.

Reading Company’s operations entered a long decline in the 20th century and were finally folded into Conrail in 1976. Reading & Northern emerged as a Conrail spinoff in the 1980s.

Reading & Northern's old Reading Company yards at Cressona, Pennsylvania. Exposed in 'monochrome mode' with my LX-7. I'v adjusted the tonality with an in-camera red-filter setting.
Reading & Northern’s old Reading Company yards at Cressona, Pennsylvania. Exposed in ‘monochrome mode’ with my LX-7. I’ve adjusted the tonality with an in-camera red-filter setting.

Today, using a host of vintage railroad equipment R&N provides freight service and seasonal excursions in the spirit of the old Reading Company. Anthracite remains among the commodities moved by the railroad.

R&N paints its vintage locomotives and some freight cars to resemble those of the late-era Reading Company.

This is a similar view to the black & white image above, and aimed to include R&N's GP39RN. This could be a view of an R&N freight, or perhaps almost passable as a view of the Reading Company from the 1970s. Yet, its really a Santa Train excursion. CNJ 113 is at the back of the train. Lumix LX7 photo.
This is a similar view to the black & white image above, and aimed to include R&N’s GP39RN. This could be a view of an R&N freight, or perhaps almost passable (if we cropped the ‘derail’ sign, and ignore the graffiti-covered 1980s era freight cars)  as a view of the Reading Company from the 1970s. Yet, it’s really a modern R&N Santa Train excursion. Restored CNJ 0-6-0 113 is puffing away at the back of the train. Lumix LX7 photo.
Trailing view of R&N's no-GP30 disguises the true nature of the day's excursion. This could easily pass as a R&N freight. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Trailing view of R&N’s neo-GP30 disguises the true nature of the day’s excursion. This could easily pass as a R&N freight. FujiFilm X-T1 photo.

The line between documentation and photo recreation is blurred.

Through select cropping, I can either reveal the nature of the passenger excursions, or at first glance make R&N’s excursions operation appear like a Reading Company freight from the mid-1970s, or even its own weekday freights.

When does documentation become a re-creation? In the case of R&N does such a distinction even matter?

R&N offers a window on the old order, which is a relief for a railroad photographer aiming to step back from the contemporary scene dominated by massive class I carriers with modern six-motor safety-cab diesels moving unit trains of coal, ethanol and intermodal containers, and modern passenger trains.

LX7 panned photo.
LX7 panned photo—relatively slow shutter speed and careful continuous panning motion allowed the main subject to remain sharp while the background slips into a sea of blur.

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photography, Tips and Technique

Amtrak’s Philadelphia 30th Street Station: decorated for the Holiday Season.

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In the hustle to get to where you going, don’t forget to take in the finer points of traveling.

The week around Christmas is one of the busy travel seasons for Amtrak and can be an interesting time to make photographs.

Amtrak’s former Pennsylvania Railroad Station at 30th Street in Philadelphia is one of the nicest large terminals in North America.

Lumix LX7 photo.
Lumix LX7 photo.

Amtrak_30th_St_Station_Philadelphia_Solari_Board_P1360288

Amtrak_30th_St_Station_Philadelphia_Christmas_Tree_P1360290

 

Amtrak_30th_St_Station_Philadelphia_Angel_P1360291I made these photos at 30th St. the other day with my Lumix LX7 while waiting for Amtrak train 148, which connects Washington D.C. with Springfield, Massachusetts. (This is a direct train, and one of the few that still changes from electric to diesel at New Haven.)

ACS-64 number 649 leads train 148 on track 4 at 30th Street Station. I boarded the Quiet Car.
ACS-64 number 649 leads train 148 on track 4 at 30th Street Station. I boarded the Quiet Car.

After exposure I made nominal adjustments to the RAW files using Lightroom. To clean up the images and make them more pleasing to the eye I adjusted contrast and color saturation.

Slight adjustments can make a photo ‘snap’ which gives that extra something special that helps grab your attention. Extreme adjustments can alter the image and produce far-fetched fantasy images. (Which at Christmas in Philadelphia could be a good thing, right?)

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Tracking the Light: New Jersey Transit’s Hoboken Terminal, December 2015—a dozen new images!

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I made my first photographs at the old Lackawanna Hoboken Terminal with my father back in 1976. He made his first photos there about 20 years earlier.

NJT_Hoboken_terminal_detail_P1350278

Today, Hoboken Terminal survives as one of the last great waterfront railroad terminals. Perhaps, the last great American waterfront terminal.

There’s no longer a Lackawanna Limited for Buffalo, nor any of the Lackawanna EMD F3s or F-M Trainmasters that my dad saw, but New Jersey Transit’s Hoboken Terminal remains as one of the most atmospheric locations in the New York City area to make railway images.

Hints of the old order; the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western was one of the great railway companies of the early 20th century.
Hints of the old order; the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western was one of the great railway companies of the early 20th century.

While I’ve featured Hoboken Terminal previously on Tracking the Light, (see: Hoboken?!) I exposed all of these photos in one morning about ten days ago using my Lumix LX7.

My intent here was no to make one photo, but rather a group of images that capture the character of the place.

New_York_skyline_P1350284

NJT_Hoboken_terminal_detail_P1350477

I featured New Jersey Transit’s Hoboken Terminal in my new book Railway Depots, Stations & Terminals published by Voyageur Press this year. The book is available through Amazon and other outlets.

NJT_Hoboken_terminal_P1350250

NJT_Hoboken_terminal_detail_P1350253

NJT_Hoboken_terminal_detail_people_walking_P1350254

NJT_Hoboken_terminal_P1350257

NJT_Hoboken_terminal_P1350258

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NJT_4002_Hoboken_terminal_P1350262

NJT_Hoboken_terminal_P1350245NJT_Hoboken_terminal_skylight_P1350247NJT_Hoboken_terminal_detail_P1350282NJT_4201_Hoboken_trailing_view_P1350460New Jersey Transit’s Hoboken Terminal is in my new book Railway Depots, Stations & Terminals published by Voyageur Press this year. The book is available through Amazon and other outlets.

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A Window Back in Time; Exchange Place.

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This is another of my ‘Then and Now’ attempts from last week’s exploration of Jersey City.

As previously mentioned: my fascination with Pennsylvania Railroad’s Jersey City waterfront terminal at Exchange Place, inspired a family trip to look for vestiges in February 1983. This is my window back in time.

Exchange Place in Jersey City as I photographed it with my Leica in February 1983. I'm looking south toward the Colgate-Palmolive Building. About the only thing left of this scene today is the bank building at the left.
Exchange Place in Jersey City as I photographed it with my Leica in February 1983. I’m looking south toward the Colgate-Palmolive Building. About the only thing left of this scene today is the bank building at the left.

Both my dad and I made a few photos. At the time I was trying to get a sense for how things looked decades earlier. (Pop, had made views of PRR MP54s by day and by night at the old terminal, which by 1983 was long gone.)
Fast forward another 32-33 years, and I find that Jersey City has been completely transformed. Most traces of Conrail’s waterfront track have been replaced by modern development, while NJ Transit’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail now winds through the city.

Working from my 1983 view at Exchange Place, on my recent visit I spent an hour walking around in concentric circles trying to figure out where I’d made the old photo. How hard could this be?

Complicating matters, I’d only been there once, my father was driving, and my memories from this one visit are a bit hazy.

Yes, I remember the day, and I recall making the photos, but how the various locations related to one another remained a bit sketchy. This was especially difficult because today the setting has been so completely changed that many of the landmarks in my old image are gone.

Exchange Place in December 2015: Perhaps after the renovation work on the bank building (at left) has been completed, I’ll come back and make another view.
Exchange Place in December 2015: Perhaps after the renovation work on the bank building (at left) has been completed, I’ll come back and make another view.

I’d all but given up. I went for a spin on the Light Rail, and my way back north towards Hoboken, I recognized the setting for my 1983 image.

Now then, how could I have known that my 1983 Exchange Place view was indeed at today’s NJ Transit Exchange Place light rail station!

The location of the awnings makes the direct recreation complicated. Ideally I'd need to stand back a little further with a 50mm lens perspective to precisely the same view of the bank on the right (as shown in the 1983 view).
The location of the Light Rail awnings makes the direct recreation complicated. Ideally I’d need to stand back a little further using a 50mm lens perspective to precisely recreate  the same view of the bank on the right (as shown in the 1983 view).

Construction on the bank building made for a difficult comparison view, as does the Light Rail’s supporting infrastructure: awnings, ticket machines, catenary poles, etc, which precluded standing in the exact same spot.

Actually, the bank building on the left is just about the only common anchor between my two images. Almost all the other buildings in the 1983, including the Colgate-Palmolive building in the distance, have been replaced by newer structures.

Jersey City P1350781

And, while there are tracks in both views, these are on different alignments and serve entire different purposes.

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Take a Spin on Metro-North; West Haven to Grand Central Terminal.

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On Thursday December 10, 2015, my father and I traveled on Metro-North to Grand Central Terminal.

West Haven, Connecticut is a modern station with long high-level platforms that opened just a few years ago.

Grand Central remains as impressive as always.

Our train was well-patronized and nearly at standing room by the time we departed Stamford.

This is impressive ridership, considering Metro-North operates a half-hourly inbound service from New Haven, with even more frequent rush-hour service from Bridgeport, and additional trains from Stamford. Not to mention Amtrak’s long distance trains to Penn-Station.

As always, there’s always opportunities for photography

I exposed these photos using my Lumix LX7 digital camera.

The sky was clearing when we arrived at West Haven. Check yesterday's post for views of a train of antique Metropolitan cars.
The sky was clearing when we arrived at West Haven. Check yesterday’s post for views of a train of antique Metropolitan cars.
Amtrak ACS-64 618 leads an eastward Regional train at West Haven.
Amtrak ACS-64 618 leads an eastward Regional train at West Haven.
My MetroCard that was good on Metro-North, the New York City Subway and PATH.
My MetroCard that was good on Metro-North, the New York City Subway and PATH.
Metro North train 1541 glides to a stop at West Haven. A good few passengers were ready to board.
Metro North train 1541 glides to a stop at West Haven. A good few passengers were ready to board.
In the bowels of Grand Central.
In the bowels of Grand Central.
America's most famous railway terminal!
America’s most famous railway terminal!
New Haven Line departure boards.
New Haven Line departure boards.

Would you like to learn more about Grand Central? Consider my new book Railway Depots, Stations & Terminals published this year by Voyageur Press! I cover GCT and many other great stations. Don’t miss out order a copy today. Available via Amazon and other outlets.

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My Latest Book: The World’s Most Exotic Railway Journeys is Available Now.

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This latest effort is a window into many lands. I’ve dedicated the book to the members of the Irish Railway Record Society. It features the work of a variety of accomplished travelers.

Cover photo by Scott Lothes.
Cover photo by Scott Lothes.

It is the product of John Beaufoy Publishing.

Estonia©Solomon_664830

It is available on Amazon among other popular outlets.

Get a copy today!

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photography, Tips and Technique

Shocking Railroad Photographic Technique? (Hint, if you’re not viewing Tracking the Light, Click the link)

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Every so often I like to stir up the muck, open a few eyes, raise a few fists, and perhaps invoke a couple of smiles.

I made this digital photograph using a recently devised camera technique. I created  the image  ‘in-camera’ using my mirror-less FujiFilm X-T1 with the electronic shutter; I did this without unusual external attachments, filters or complicated post-processing manipulation.

So, how did I do it? And why?

Amtrak_train_160_Readville_shocking_photo_DSCF7878

Shocking railroad photograph? Sometimes a technique is so raw, so radical, or so non-conventional, your eyes will grip the results, while your brain tries to add up the dots.

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photography, Tips and Technique

Railroad Photography Tip: Signal Warning, Old Heads Fading Fast—ten original photos.

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Searchlights at Ayer.
Searchlights at Ayer.

At one time the Boston & Maine was a poster child for the General Railway Signal Company.

These days some of the old GRS searchlight signals remain but they are rapidly disappearing.

Here’s a railroad photography tip: catch the old signals while you can, they are fading fast, and soon they will be gone.

I’ve issued this signal warning before, and I’ll do it again.

Over the last month, I exposed these photos along the old B&M in the vicinity of Ayer, Massachusetts. These railroad photos are intended as more of a record, than as active illustrations of the old signals.

Looking east at Ayer, Massachusetts.
Looking east at Ayer, Massachusetts.
In many places B&M searchlights are approach lit, in others they are continuously lit, such as here in Ayer.
In many places B&M searchlights are approach lit, in others they are continuously lit, such as here in Ayer.

Searchlights_in_Ayer_DSCF7481

B&M was among railroads that used staggered heads for intermediate signals. Notice the use of both the traditional 'G' plate and the more recent 'D' plate.
B&M was among railroads that used staggered heads for intermediate signals. Notice the use of both the traditional ‘G’ plate and the more recent ‘D’ plate.

Check out my book; Classic Railroad Signals published this year by Voyageur Press. Also available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets.

The searchlight style of signal was developed more than 90 years ago. It has been out of favor for new installations for more than two decades.
The searchlight style of signal was developed more than 90 years ago. It has been out of favor for new installations for more than two decades.
High green! (There's a train coming).
High green! (There’s a train coming).
Fallen soldiers.
Fallen soldiers.

Old_searchlight_heads_P1340924

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Check out my book; Classic Railroad Signals published this year by Voyageur Press. Also available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets.

 

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

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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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Historic Relic; old Railway Station at Holden, Massachusetts.

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One hundred and thirty five years ago, the railway station was key to many communities commerce and communications. It offered the connection to the world.

My 1880 Official Guide is a window on the past. The Boston, Barre & Gardner Railroad (among the companies later melded into the Boston & Maine network) schedule lists three trains a day in each direction stopping at Holden, Massachusetts.

Trains ran from Worcester to Winchendon stopping at Holden at 8:28 am, 4:15 pm, and 7 pm, and Winchendon to Worcester  at 9:06 am, 1:22 pm, and 7 pm.

Obviously based on this schedule, there was a planned meet between northward and southward trains at the station.

In its heyday, back in 1880 Holden was an important station. It served as a telegraph office and as a transfer point for stagecoaches to Rutland (Massachusetts).

Today the old station is but a relic, the vestige of another time. Its train order signal is no longer part of the rules of operation; and the last passenger train passed in 1953. Yet the railroad remains active.

The old Boston & Maine station at Holden is a reminder of earlier times. Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera.
The old Boston & Maine station at Holden is a reminder of earlier times. Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera.

Providence & Worcester’s freights connect with Pan Am Railways/Pan Am Southern at Gardner and this has developed as a route for the movement of new automobiles and ethanol moving via the port of Providence, Rhode Island.

Providence & Worcester's southward freight symbol GRWO shakes the walls of the old station. Don't wait here for a 4-4-0 with combine coach on the 4:15 pm train to Winchendon. (It doesn't run any more).
Providence & Worcester’s southward freight symbol GRWO shakes the walls of the old station. Don’t wait here for a 4-4-0 with combine coach on the 4:15 pm train to Winchendon. (It doesn’t run any more).

My book, Railway Depots, Stations & Terminals features a variety of railway stations in New England, across America and around the world. It was published by Voyageur Press this year and is available from Amazon and other outlets.

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photography, Tips and Technique

Railways Under and Over; Tram and Train, Prague 2000.

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Here we have two forms of railway transport in an active image.

I’ve always liked photos that show transport on two levels (or more). This photo worked out well. I caught a tram passing below a steeple-cab electric in suburban Prague in early June 2000.

What makes the whole image more interesting is the tram passenger flagging the car to stop. This puts a bit life in the photo.

Incidentally, if you haven’t been there, Prague is one of the great tram cities, and offers endless opportunities for photography.

Exposed on Fujichrome Sensia 100 with a Nikon F3T with 24mm lens. Slide scanned using an Epson Perfection 600, file adjusted for contrast using Lightroom.
Exposed on Fujichrome Sensia 100 with a Nikon F3T with 24mm lens. Slide scanned using an Epson Perfection 600, file adjusted for contrast using Lightroom.

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photography, Tips and Technique

Rescuing a New Haven EP-3 from the Shadows: A Lesson in Slide Scanning.

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Back in the day it wasn’t always easy to obtain a satisfactory exposure. Sometimes we got it wrong.

Such was the case on February 6, 1959, when my father made a very dark slide of a New Haven Railroad EP-3 electric leading a long distance train at 204th street in The Bronx.

Did a cloud block the sun at just the wrong moment? Did he simply use the wrong setting? Who knows. But the other day, I rescued this very dark slide from his ‘doubles file’ long stored out of sight.

By my estimate I’d say it is about 2-3 stops underexposed.

Slide Scanning in three 3.5 parts

I made three scans of this slide, from which I produced four variations of the image.

This is the first scan: I exposed normally using my Epson V600 with the Epson software set for ‘auto exposure’. The result pretty dark, yet still lighter than the original.
This is the first scan: I exposed it normally using my Epson V600 with the Epson software set for ‘auto exposure’. The result pretty dark, yet still lighter than the original.
For my second scan, I optimized the exposure and manually set the highlights and shadows using a histogram graph. Using Lightroom I exported two variations. This is the first, which is unmodified from the scan.
For my second scan, I optimized the exposure and manually set the highlights and shadows using a histogram graph. Using Lightroom I exported two variations. This is the first, which is unmodified from the scan.
My second variation of the second scan required a bit of work in Lightroom in order to adjust contrast, highlight and shadow detail, while boosting the saturation, clarity and other controls. The result offers better exposure, color and contrast, but it is too grainy.
My second variation of the second scan required a bit of work in Lightroom in order to adjust contrast, highlight and shadow detail, while boosting the saturation, clarity and other controls. The result offers better exposure, color and contrast, but it is too grainy.
For my third scan I opted for a different approach. I used VueScan and opted for a multiple pass scan (which in effect scans the slide 3 times to obtain the greatest amount data from the slide). I imported this scan into Lightroom and made my corrections for color, contrast (local and global), saturation and etc, but also used the noise suppression feature. Since this results in an over-all softening of the image, afterwards I locally sharpened key areas of the image.
For my third scan I opted for a different approach. I used VueScan and opted for a multiple pass scan (which in effect scans the slide 3 times to obtain the greatest amount data from the slide). I imported this scan into Lightroom and made my corrections for color, contrast (local and global), saturation and etc, but also used the noise suppression feature. Since this results in an over-all softening of the image, afterwards I locally sharpened key areas of the image.

 

My question: all of this scanning and correction required about 45 minutes of my time. While it was neat to rescue this long forgotten image of an EP3 electric, would my time be better spent making less labor-intensive scans of properly exposed slides from the same period?

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Bangor & Aroostook Railroad Photo and a Great Rolling Ribbon!

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Tracking the Light: a Train in Maine.

For me this one image of the Bangor & Aroostook really conveys the spirit of a railroad in motion and captures the lay of the land of coastal Maine.

What makes a great railroad photo? It has to be more than just a picture of an interesting train.

Brandon Delaney was driving his Toyota sports car and I was leaning out the window with my Leica as we paced the northward Searsport Turn. I made this image as we passed a grade crossing at Prospect, Maine.

Exposed on August 5, 1986 on Kodachrome color slide film.
Exposed on August 5, 1986 on Kodachrome color slide film.

The great rolling ribbon of Highway 174 is one of several visual threads that helps tie the photo together and makes for added interest. The electric poles and grade crossing signals are cool elements too.

This isn’t just a railroad photo of a GP9 on the move, but an image showing a train in motion crossing a distinctive landscape.

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Snow and Old EMD Diesels: Stafford Springs February 1985.

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It was a great day for black & white photography.

Fluffy snow had been falling all morning. Central Vermont’s freight arrived in Palmer and quickly organized to continue south.

I followed the train’s steady progress over State Line Hill, then set up in downtown Stafford Springs, Connecticut where I made these photos on Ilford FP4 black & white negative film using my Leica 3A with 50mm lens.

Central Vermont southward freight at Stafford Springs, Connecticut on February 2, 1985.
Central Vermont southward freight at Stafford Springs, Connecticut on February 2, 1985.
Trailing view of the same train crossing Route 32 in Stafford Springs.
Trailing view of the same train crossing Route 32 in Stafford Springs.

For me this pair of images does a great job of exemplifying my experience with Central Vermont in the mid-1980s when three, four, five, six, and sometimes seven vintage GP9s would work tonnage freights. The sounds of those old diesels still resonates in my memory.

Would these images have be improved by modern color digital photography? Would they survive for 31 years with virtually no attention from me? For that matter, where will these old negatives or the scans be in another 31 years?

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Glory of Sunrise—November 18, 2015.

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Timing is everything; good information helps.

As I approached the Tenneyville bridge in Palmer (that’s the Route 32 bridge in modern parlance), I heard two CSX trains talking to each other. It was obvious a meet was in progress between CP79 and CP83 (east and west ends of the signaled dispatcher controlled siding).

When I crossed the bridge, CSX Q293 (westward empty autoracks) was easing along below me. The signals at CP83 had just cleared and the sun had just peaked above the horizon.

In a matter of moments, the engineer on Q293 would begin to accelerate. I needed to act quickly.

With my VW, I can accelerate faster than a long freight train, and I was lucky that the roads were clear of traffic.

I drove to a known photo location near the location of the old Boston & Albany freight house (demolished in 1989). This has the advantage of being open, while providing a long view on the tangent track through Palmer yard toward the rising sun.

I arrived with just enough time to set my FujiFilm X-T1 and expose a series of photos of the train rolling west out of sunrise. Soft morning clouds dampened the harshness of the direct light.

CSX Q293 rolls west against a backdrop of the rising sun at Palmer, Massachusetts on November 18, 2015. The Tenneyville Bridge is visible in the distance. My set up time: about 15 seconds.
CSX Q293 rolls west against a backdrop of the rising sun at Palmer, Massachusetts on November 18, 2015. The Tenneyville Bridge is visible in the distance. My set up time: about 15 seconds.

Here I’ve included both a long telephoto view, and a wide angle to give you a sense for both the lighting and the location. The wide view required a bit of contrast control and exposure adjustment to make for a satisfactory final image.

The range of contrast of this wide angle view required a bit of post processing. I prefer the telephoto view, but this one gives a good lay of the land. Both were exposed using my FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera. If I had had time, I'd have exposed some color slides.
The range of contrast of this wide angle view required a bit of post processing. I prefer the telephoto view, but this one gives a good lay of the land. Both were exposed using my FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera. If I had had time, I’d have exposed some color slides.

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Classic Black & White: July Morning in Cold Stream Canyon on Donner Pass.

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Walking in Steinheimer’s footprints.

On July 10, 1993, I spent the day on Donner Pass, focusing my morning efforts in the famous Coldstream Canyon west of Truckee, California where Southern Pacific’s former Central Pacific line winds nearly three miles up the canyon, turns on a tight horseshoe curve at Stanford Flat to continue its ascent on the far side.

The area is rich in history. Yet, it can be a challenging place to capture in photographs.

Having thoroughly explored this area on foot on earlier visits, I’d located this angle at Andover that shows SP’s double track line on two levels. The tracks in the photograph are less than a half mile apart as the crow flies, but about five miles distant on the timetable.

Helpers had gone downgrade a while earlier and met a westward GJWS-Q (Grand Junction to Warm Springs ‘Quality’ manifest, ie a carload train) at Truckee.

In this view the freight is in run-8 (maximum throttle) roaring up the canyon. More than ten minutes would pass before it reached the upper level.

I exposed this photograph on Kodak T-Max 400 black & white film using a Nikon F3 with Nikkor zoom lens fitted with a yellow filter.

Key to the success of the image was shading the front element from the sun with my notebook to minimize flare.

Another subtle element is SP’s twin headlight arrangement on the leading SD40T-2: this had been a trademark of SP’s diesels, but by the mid-1990s very few locomotives still carried both headlights and it was getting relatively rare to find one leading.

SP GJWSQ ascends Cold Stream Canyon on the morning of July 10, 1993.
SP GJWSQ ascends Cold Stream Canyon on the morning of July 10, 1993.

This is one of my favorite black & white photos that I exposed on Donner Pass, and reminds me of the work of the late Richard Steinheimer who had been photographing in this canyon decades before I made my exploration.

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Four Classic Kodachromes: Ghost Railroad and the Water Level Route—May 13, 1989.

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About a week ago I was asked by regular Tracking the Light reader Ciarán Cooney if I had exposed  photos on May 13, 1989.

This request was prompted by my posting images from May 6th of that year. (See: Amtrak 63, Ivison Road, South Byron, New York, May 6, 1989.).

I consulted my notes from that year, and found that I’d photographed extensively on that day! (Hooray for my old notebook!)

At the time I was about a week away from completing my course work at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where I earned a BFA in Photographic Illustration, and I was making good use of the fine Spring weather in Western New York State.

That day I began my photography on the Water Level Route at East Rochester, and worked my way eastward toward Lyons, New York.

Conrail SD50 leads symbol freight PXSE (Pacific Express to Selkirk, New York) eastward on the number 1 track at CP342 near Newark, New York.
Conrail SD50 leads symbol freight PXSE (Pacific Express to Selkirk, New York) eastward on the number 1 track at CP342 near Newark, New York.

I was particularly fascinated by the abandoned truss bridge over the old New York Central west of Newark, New York. This had carried the Newark & Marion, which had served as part of the Pennsylvania Railroad. [See: AbandonedRails.com for more about this line. ]

Using my Leica M2 with a 35mm Summicron, I opted for a vertical format. Conrail's CP342 near Newark, New York on 13May1989.
Using my Leica M2 with a 35mm Summicron, I opted for a vertical format. Conrail’s CP342 near Newark, New York on 13 May1989.
Another eastward freight with an SD50 in the lead. I wouldn't complain today about seeing three freights with Conrail blue SD50s! Back then they were pretty common, but still nice to see.
Another eastward freight with an SD50 in the lead. I wouldn’t complain today about seeing three freights with Conrail blue SD50s! Back then they were pretty common, but still nice to see.

On an earlier trip, I’d photographed this bridge on a dull day using a 4×5 camera.

On May 13th, I worked with my Leica M2 exposing Kodachrome 25 color slides, and featured Conrail trains passing below the bridge.At that time SD50s were standard locomotives on many of the railroad’s carload trains.

Later, I explored other vantage points along the busy Conrail east-west mainline.

Amtrak F40PH 362 leads train 68 along the former New York Central mainline east of Newark, New York. (Incidentally, Newark, New York should not be confused with the larger and better known Newark, New Jersey, that is on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor).
Amtrak F40PH 362 leads train 68 along the former New York Central mainline east of Newark, New York. (Incidentally, Newark, New York should not be confused with the larger and better known Newark, New Jersey, that is on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor).

Thanks to Ciarán for encouraging this foray into my slide archive!

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Searchlights on the Wane (But I warned you).

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Back in my Pentrex Publishing days (in the mid 1990s) I wrote an editorial about the ultimate demise of the searchlight signal.

Even then, this style of hardware was out of favor for new installations, yet thousands of the old signals still remained.

Today they are fast disappearing, and at many installations they are already gone.

Old searchlights west of Ayer, Massachusetts. Once common, this style of signal has been out of favor for decades and are now rapidly being replaced.
Old searchlights west of Ayer, Massachusetts. Once common, this style of signal has been out of favor for decades and are now rapidly being replaced.

Two weeks ago, when traveling with Bob Arnold and Paul Goewey, we opted to photograph an outbound MBTA train passing these General Railway Signal searchlights on the old Boston & Maine west of Ayer, Massachusetts

MBTA train 453AM works west of Ayer. How long will this new diesel and these old signals co-exist? Bets anyone? The replacement signals are already in place at Shirley.
MBTA train 453AM works west of Ayer with HSP46 2027 in the lead.. How long will this new diesel and these old signals co-exist? Bets anyone? The replacement signals are already in place at Shirley, a mile or so to the west.

I wanted to feature one of the new HSP-46 diesels passing the vintage signals to show the contrast in technology. The window for making this type of photograph is rapidly narrowing, as these searchlight’s replacements are in place and will soon be cut in.

My book Classic Railroad Signals, published by Voyageur Press, details many varieties of older signal hardware and tells the story of American signaling with stunning photographs and detailed historical information. Get your copy today!

See: http://www.quartoknows.com/books/9780760346921/Classic-Railroad-Signals.html

Also see January 2016 TRAINS Magazine for my 10-page article on how to read signals.

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Brian Solomon’s ‘Reading the Lights’ featured in January 2016 TRAINS

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My author’s advanced copy of January 2016 TRAINS arrived the other day. This magazine features my ten-page article on how to interpret railroad signals.

This is the first page of the opening spread for my article in January 2016 TRAINS.
This is the first page of the opening spread for my article in January 2016 TRAINS.

This issue features some of my favorite signal photographs.

Cover of January 2016 TRAINS.
Cover of January 2016 TRAINS. (photo by Scott Lothes)

To learn more about historic American signaling check out my new book: Classic Railroad Signals published by Voyageur Press.

This is a follow-up to my original book on Railroad signaling published in 2003.

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Pan Am’s Fresh Blue Diesels Work West at Shirley—November 18, 2015.

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Tracking the Light on the roll!

We were heading for Ayer. We’d heard some non-descript chatter on the radio about Pan Am’s POED (Portland to East Deerfield). I had the MBTA schedules on my lap. The sun was shining brightly.

Bob Arnold was driving, Paul Goewey was riding shotgun, and I was in the back.

“There’s freight cars moving west!”

“It’s the POED, turn around”.

“The new SD40-2s are in the lead!”

These were the coolest engines in New England as this moment in time, and they’d handily presented themselves in nice light.

Our opportunity was narrow and before long we were saddled with waddler (a slow moving car that impeded our forward progress). However, the freight was only ambling up the grade, and we began to overtake it.

I rolled down my window, set my FujiFilm X-T1 to ‘turbo flutter’ (continuous high) with a 1/60th of a second shutter speed to ensure the effect of movement, and made bursts of images of the shinny blue engines on the move.

Art of the pace: Bob was driving so I leaned from the rear passenger window and exposed a series of images. By selecting a slower shutter speed I was able to convey motion. He's a secret: although the pacing action resulted in most of the ground blur, I was also panning back to keep the locomotives sharp and had my image stabilization 'on'. This takes practice.
Art of the pace: Bob was driving so I leaned from the rear passenger window and exposed a series of images. By selecting a slower shutter speed I was able to convey motion. Here’s a secret: although the pacing action resulted in most of the ground blur, I was also panning back to keep the locomotives sharp and had my camera’s image stabilization ‘on’. This takes practice.
Both the locomotives and the car are moving, yet at different speeds, so compensation is necessary or everything will turn into a sea of blur.
Both the locomotives and the car are moving, yet at different speeds, so compensation is necessary or everything will turn into a sea of blur.

Despite the frustrations caused by our less than quick progress, we were soon ahead of the freight. At Shirley, Massachusetts the road and the old Boston & Maine are parallel. Bob asked “where should we stop.”

“Pull in short of the new signal bridge. . . Here, it’s open and clear.”

It was a fire drill as we bailed and assumed photographic stance trackside. POED was bearing down with its diesels roaring. We only a few moments.

I set my camera’s focus position, readjusted my shutter speed (to stop the action), set my zoom to a wide position to allow for more broadside on the engines, and looked to minimize poles, wires and extraneous brush. My shutter setting was still in ‘turbo flutter’.

I waited until the locomotives were close and exposed a prolonged burst of images, while aiming to position the lead locomotive nose at the upper left of the frame for maximum visual impact.

Nice clean locomotives work west on heavily blasted track at Shirley, Massachusetts on November 18, 2015.
Nice clean locomotives work west on heavily ballasted track at Shirley, Massachusetts on November 18, 2015.
I turned for a trailing view looking toward the new signal bridge. Word of advice, get the old searchlights before their gone. (That was our next project).
I turned for a trailing view looking toward the new signal bridge. Word of advice, get the old searchlights before their gone. (That was our next project).

In short; we scored! Yea team!

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In all these Years, We’d Never seen this before!

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It is always a delight to stumble upon something relatively unusual and have the foresight and knowledge to make the most of the opportunity.

The old Boston, Barre & Gardner was among the railroads gobbled up by the growing Boston & Maine during the golden years of American railroads. The line primarily extended from Worcester to Gardner and beyond to Peterboro, New Hampshire.

Historically, the route crossed B&M’s Fitchburg line on a set of diamonds in front of the Gardner station. Back in 1880, three passenger trains a day served the 27 miles between Worcester and Gardner.

By the 1950s, one lonely train covered the run, and this made its final journey on March 7, 1953. Check out Robert Willoughby Jones’ book Boston & Maine: Forest, River and Mountain for photos.

These days, the line between Worcester and Gardner is operated by Providence & Worcester, and I’ve featured it on several occasions on Tracking the Light, while a short vestige of the north end of the route extends from a connection with Pan Am Southern in Gardner to a shipper a short distance away.

A vestige of the old Boston, Barre & Gardner makes for a little bit of living history.
A vestige of the old Boston, Barre & Gardner makes for a little bit of living history.
Pan Am Railway's F1-1 is a local based out of Fitchburg and works this rarely used section of line as required.
Pan Am Railway’s F1-1 is a local based out of Fitchburg and works this rarely used section of line as required.

Last week, Bob Arnold, Paul Goewey and I were photographing in Gardner when we noticed the flange ways were clear on this rarely used stub branch. ‘There’s got to be an engine up the line,’ I said, and we went to investigate.

We found our quarry, and waited for the locomotive to return.

A lone GP40 eases its way down the branch passed a furniture store.
A lone GP40 eases its way down the branch passed a furniture store.
The locomotive crosses Main Street in Gardner, near the corner of Chestnut.
The locomotive crosses Main Street in Gardner, near the corner of Chestnut.
The Furniture Center is among the buildings that feature in old photos of the branch crossing B&M's Fitchburg Division mainline. This image required a bit of post processing contrast adjustment to retain detail in the deep shadows of the charcoal painted locomotive and the bright highlights of the building beyond.
The Furniture Center is among the buildings that feature in old photos of the branch crossing B&M’s Fitchburg Division mainline. This image required a bit of post processing contrast adjustment to retain detail in the deep shadows of the charcoal painted locomotive and the bright highlights of the building beyond.

As I explained to a friend later: this operation might happen every Monday, or only on odd number days following a full moon in months ending in the letter ‘R’, but in more than 30 years of photography in the area, none of us had ever seen it before.

Hooray for fortuity!

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Magnificent Railway Stations: Köln Haubtbahnhof—Part 2

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Would you believe that 35 of 38 frames of this roll of 35mm film were exposed of the Köln Haubtbahnhof?

Back in August 1998, I was working with an old Nikon F2 and three lenses, I wandered the platforms of this great station to preserve it on black & white film.

I processed my film at the Gallery of Photography in Dublin and made a few proof prints at the time.

Köln Hbf in August 1998, exposed on Ilford HP5.
Köln Hbf in August 1998, exposed on Ilford HP5. Looming beyond the station is the famous Dom, Köln’s massive gothic cathedral.
Köln Hbf in August 1998, exposed on Ilford HP5.
Köln Hbf in August 1998, exposed on Ilford HP5.

Koln_1998©Brian_Solomon_663638

Köln Hbf in August 1998, exposed on Ilford HP5.
Köln Hbf in August 1998, exposed on Ilford HP5.

The images presented here were scanned digitally from my original negatives using an Epson Prefection V600 flatbed scanner and adjusted in post processing using Lightroom.

For color photos of the  Köln Haubtbahnhof and many other stations check out my new book: Railway Depots, Stations & Terminals published this year by Voyageur Press.

See: http://www.quartoknows.com/books/9780760348901/Railway-Depots-Stations-Terminals.html

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Fading Light on Amtrak’s AEM-7.

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Sunday, November 8, 2015, I learned that an AEM-7 was working Amtrak train 163 from Boston to Washington DC.

A year ago this event wouldn’t have been noteworthy, but now it is. Amtrak’s AEM-7s are getting rare and engine 939 was the only one I saw working on that day. The last I heard there were just ten left in traffic.

Amtrak 939 leads train 163 on the former New Haven Railroad at Green's Farms, Connecticut. Exposed using a FujiFilm X-T1 with 18-35mm zoom lens.
Amtrak 939 leads train 163 on the former New Haven Railroad at Green’s Farms, Connecticut. Exposed using a FujiFilm X-T1 with 18-35mm zoom lens.

My philosophy is that every photo I make of an Amtrak AEM-7 on the move may be the last one.

Nothing lasts forever.

Amtrak 163 races into the evening sun at Green's Farms, CT.
Amtrak 163 races into the evening sun at Green’s Farms, CT.

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Irish Hotspot: Drogheda—16 photos

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On August 10, 2015, David Hegarty and I visited Drogheda, where Irish Rail’s Navan Branch meets the Northern Line.

It was our second visit in two days.

In recent years, I’d been dismissive of the Northern Line as being bland. But, I’ve seen the error of my ways.

In just a couple hours we were treated to a steady parade of trains, and this offered just about the best variety of equipment as anyone can expect to see in modern day Ireland.

The highlight of the day was the arrival of the weed-spraying train, which needed to run around, and the propel back to access the branch.

Shortly after we arrived, a laden Tara mines train pulled into view at the end of the branch. The electric DART cars were at the depot for servicing.
Shortly after we arrived, a laden Tara mines train pulled into view at the end of the branch. The electric DART cars were at the depot for servicing.
29000-series railcars take the switch for platform 3.
29000-series railcars take the switch for platform 3.
Hooray! The weed-spraying train as arrived from Dundalk.
Hooray! The weed-spraying train as arrived from Dundalk.
Engine 074 has cutoff and will run around its train in preparation for a run to Navan on the branch.
Engine 074 has cutoff and will run around its train in preparation for a run to Navan on the branch.
A Dublin-bound set of 29000 railcars in the new livery has just departed the station.
A Dublin-bound set of 29000 railcars in the new livery has just departed the station.
The sun came out as the weed-spraying train reversed.
The sun came out as the weed-spraying train reversed.
Irish Rail 233 leads the down Enterprise toward Belfast.
Irish Rail 233 leads the down Enterprise toward Belfast. The weedsprayer waits to crossover.
The chevrons on the front of 074 have been a trademark of the weedspraying train for decades.
The chevrons on the front of 074 have been a trademark of the weedspraying train for decades.
The sprayer is doing its thing as it heads toward Navan.
The sprayer is doing its thing as it heads toward Navan.
Fresh bit of sun on the railcar depot.
Fresh bit of sun on the railcar depot.
Eventually that Tara train will have to move.
Eventually that Tara train will have to move.

Our vantage point was the lightly travel road bridge south of the railway station. During our visit there were more dogs across the bridge than cars.

Drogheda is nicely oriented for sun-lit photography through out most of the day. This is the location of a railcar depot (maintenance facility), so in addition to mainline moves, there was considerable activity at the depot, which include the washing of trains.

As with many busy places, the action seemed to come in waves.

Watching the railcars get washed provided a bit of entertainment.
Watching the railcars get washed provided a bit of entertainment.
I like the new green livery. What do you think?
I like the new green livery. What do you think?
More fresh green 29000s on the move.
More fresh green 29000s on the move.
Finally! The sounds of an EMD 645 engine, and here's the laden Tara mines train on the move. It carries zinc ore to Dublin port.
Finally! The sounds of an EMD 645 engine, and here’s the laden Tara mines train on the move. It carries zinc ore to Dublin port.
Some NIR CAF-built 3001 series railcars are on their way back to Belfast.
Some NIR CAF-built 3001 series railcars are on their way back to Belfast.

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Locomotive Geometry: Rc6—an Electric Classic

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The Swedish State Railways (Staten Järnväger, SJ) class Rc4, built by Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolag (ASEA), was the inspiration for Amtrak’s AEM-7 (assembled by EMD).

An advancement of the Rc4 is the Rc6 which was the pattern emulated in the ALP-44 used by NJ Transit.

In July, I made a study of SJ’s Rc6 electrics at Luleå, Sweden. These well maintained machines are a contrast to Amtrak’s surviving AEM-7s that are tired and battle-worn after three-decades of hard service racing up and down the Northeast Corridor.

SJ_Rc6_1329_at_Lulea_low_w_sun_DSCF3797MOD1

SJ_Rc_1329at_Lulea_P1290511MOD1

SJ_Rc6_1336_Lulea_P1290571MOD1

SJ_Rc6_1329_at_Lulea_detail_P1290530MOD1

SJ_Rc6_1336_Lulea_P1290575MOD1

SJ_Rc6_1336_Lulea_P1290573MOD1

Some months ago, an Amtrak engineer confided to me, “I understand why you like these electrics, but I hate them. They’re worn out. The suspension is shot. The cabs are drafty.”

Amtrak 915 has been preserved at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. A few continue to work the Northeast Corridor. Most will end up as scrap. In the meantime, their Swedish cousins work electric lines across the country.

Amtrak 914 at Penn Station, New York in June 2015. Lumix LX7 photo.
Amtrak 914 at Penn Station, New York in June 2015. Lumix LX7 photo.
Rc6 in black.
Rc6 in black; imagine a PC noodle on this!

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To the Station! Swedish Hotspot; Luleå.

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This northern town is a port city on the Gulf of Bothnia where iron ore from mines north of the Arctic Circle is trans-loaded to ships. There’s a traditional passenger station that serves sleeping car trains that originate here for Stockholm and points south; a coach yard and sidings.

Markku Pulkkinen, Matti Mäntyvaara, Asko Räsänen and I arrived in early afternoon. We had lunch in the station restaurant and observed the action.

The combination of low-level platforms, ground-level switching activities to make up trains, and conventional locomotive hauled consists made for some proper old-school railroading! And that’s just the way we like it. Only the Kiruna-Narvik service appeared to be provided by a modern wedge-shaped electric multiple unit.

X-T1 panoramic composite of the second Stockholm sleeper at Luleå.
X-T1 panoramic composite of the second Stockholm sleeper at Luleå.
X-T1 photo.
X-T1 photo.
Luleå is old school; traditional station building with restaurant, low level platforms, plus loco-hauled sleeping car trains with long consists of bogie carriages. All good. Long may it last.
Luleå is old school; traditional station building with restaurant, low level platforms, plus loco-hauled sleeping car trains with long consists of bogie carriages. All good. Long may it last.
Lumix LX7 photo of a sleeping car.
Lumix LX7 photo of a sleeping car.
Since I my visit in 2002, the local passenger service has been 'improved'. (The improvement is the wedge-shaped EMU at right.)
Since my visit in 2002, the local passenger service has been ‘improved’. (The improvement is the wedge-shaped EMU at left.)
An empty iron train led by IORE electrics (the most powerful on the planet) rolls through the station on its way north.
An empty iron train led by IORE electrics (the most powerful on the planet) rolls through the station on its way north.

The low northern sun provided some great light for photographs, and I made the most of our visit working with my FujiFilm X-T1 and Lumix LX7 to make digital photos.

I was bemused when a young British girl complained to her father when he went to make a photo of the Rc6 electric on a sleeping car train, ‘Daddy, don’t do that! Why do you make a photo of the train?’ Surely this child needs to be sent to camp for re-education! I blame the internet and/or television.

A track-level view of a Stockholm sleeper at Luleå. My FujiFilm X-T1's flip down screen and heads-up display with level makes it easy to take low angle photos of trains.
A track-level view of a Stockholm sleeper at Luleå. My FujiFilm X-T1’s flip down screen and heads-up display with level makes it easy to take low angle photos of trains.
It's a long way from Luleå to Stockholm by train.
It’s a long way from Luleå to Stockholm by train.
A second empty ore train rolls through Luleå. These big modern Bombardier-built electrics replaced the old Dm3 siderodders, but I'll forgive them for that.
A second empty ore train rolls through Luleå. These big modern Bombardier-built electrics replaced the old Dm3 siderodders, but I’ll forgive them for that—they’re still pretty impressive!
An Rc6 works the coach yard as the empty ore train heads northward to beyond the Arctic Circle.
An Rc6 works the coach yard as the empty ore train heads northward to beyond the Arctic Circle.
Modern high-capacity ore wagons are a contrast with the old six-wheel jennies from a century ago.
Modern high-capacity ore wagons are a contrast with the old six-wheel jennies from a century ago.
One of the classics is on display near the station. Luleå respects its heritage.
One of the classics is on display near the station. Luleå respects its heritage.

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photography

Vintage Railway Equipment—a Dozen Images.

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In late July 2015, I traveled with Markku Pulkkinen, Matti Mäntyvaara and Asko Räsänen from Oulu, Finland to Luleå, Sweden. Among the goals of the trip was to visit the Norrbottens Järnvägsmuseum (Bothnia Railway Museum).

This has a great collection of preserved steam and electric locomotives, plus freight cars, passenger equipments and related displays. I made dozens of images of the historic equipment using my Lumix LX7.

I found it especially interesting to study the vintage electric locomotives up close. My favorites were the Dm3s, which I recall working iron ore trains to Narvik on my 2002 visit. I bought a Dm3 t-shirt at the museum’s gift shop.

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Dm3 electric.
Dm3 electric.
Dm3 electric.
Dm3 electric.
Dm3 electric.
Dm3 electric.

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Trollhattan—the Swedish Juniata?
Trollhattan—the Swedish Juniata?

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Oh no, the vandals got the handle!
Oh no, the vandals got the handle!

Tracking the light has something new everyday!

See: http://www.nbjvm.se for more on the museum.

photography

15 Steam Photographs: RPSI trip to Drogheda and Dundalk on August 9, 2015.

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I kept the cameras busy yesterday. I’ve altered the way I process my files. Rather than work from camera-shaped Jpgs, instead I’ve presented camera RAW files. With a few I applied a bit of contrast/exposure adjustment, but the others have just been scaled for internet presentation.

I exposed more than 500 images and haven’t, as of yet, had adequate time to digest this photographically intense experience.

Do you have any favorites among these photos?

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Upload near Near Mosney.
Uproad near Near Mosney.

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Downroad near Mosney.
Downroad near Mosney.
Dundalk.
Dundalk.
Tea!
Tea!

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Down Enterprise at Drogheda.
Down Enterprise at Drogheda.
Loco needs water, son.
Loco needs water, son.
Clock at Dundalk.
Clock at Dundalk.

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Departing Drogheda; FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Departing Drogheda; FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Departing Drogheda; FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Departing Drogheda; FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Departing Drogheda; FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Departing Drogheda; FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Departing Drogheda; FujiFilm X-T1 photo.
Departing Drogheda; FujiFilm X-T1 photo.

RPSI_4_at_Drogheda_trailing_DSCF4458

RPSI_herald_DSCF4642Tracking the Light posts new material daily!

See: http://steamtrainsireland.com

photography

TRACKING The LIGHT EXTRA: RPSI Steam Special to Drogheda and Dundalk.

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Today, Sunday 9 August 2015, the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland in cooperation with Irish Rail operated a steam special from Dublin’s Connolly Station to Drogheda and Dundalk with locomotive number 4.

Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1; RAW File exported at a Jpg using Adobe Lightroom.
Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1; RAW File exported as a Jpg using Adobe Lightroom.
Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1; RAW File exported at a Jpg using Adobe Lightroom.
Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1; RAW File exported as a Jpg using Adobe Lightroom.

This was my first opportunity to photograph this classic locomotive in more than four years. Special thanks to everyone at the RPSI and Irish Rail who made today’s trips a success.

Stay tuned for more photos tomorrow!

Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1; RAW File exported as a Jpg using Adobe Lightroom.
Exposed with a FujiFilm X-T1; RAW File exported as a Jpg using Adobe Lightroom.

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Tracking the Light posts new material daily!

For more information on the RPSI see: http://steamtrainsireland.com

photography, Tips and Technique

Experiment in Digital File Adjustment: Helsinki Airport Train with Clouds in Four Variations.

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If you are viewing this on Facebook or another 3rd party source, you’ll really need to click the link to get the full effect.

Yesterday on Tracking the Light, I mentioned how on the morning of 31 July 2015, Markku Pulkkinen, Sakari K. Salo, and Juhani Katajisto provided me a tour of the new Helsinki Airport line by car.

Mr. Salo selected this location as being one of the best places to try to get a plane and train in the same photo.

While this didn’t line up the way we’d hoped, the location did allow me to make a variety of dramatic photos. My challenge was in capturing a high-contrast scene digitally.

The sky was dressed with some impressive clouds. So how to best work with such a scene?

I opted to gauge my exposure to retain detail in the sky, while allowing for underexposure of the train. I intentionally included the array of electrical wires to show the advantages and disadvantages of various digital treatments.

With the following four images, the first is the un-manipulated camera ‘RAW’ file. The next three show various types of post-processing adjustment using Adobe Lightroom.

This view is a Jpg converted from the camera RAW file without any manipulation in post processing. All of the detail in the subsequent views exists in the camera RAW file. The challenge with the unmodified RAW file is holding sufficient detail in the shadow areas without blowing out the highlight. Ultimately I'm aiming to achieve balance. However, as you can see, it is easy enough to exaggerate the conditions of the seen to make a more dramatic image.
This view is a Jpg converted from the camera RAW file without any manipulation in post processing. All of the detail in the subsequent views exists in the camera RAW file. The challenge with the unmodified RAW file is holding sufficient detail in the shadow areas without blowing out the highlights. Ultimately I’m aiming to achieve balance. However, as you can see, it is easy enough to exaggerate the conditions of the seen to make a more dramatic image.
This is a simply modified version. All I did was adjust contrast using 'highlights' and 'shadows' sliders under the 'develop' section of Lightroom. Doing so provides better contrast that more closely resembles the way the seen appeared to my eye.
This is a simply modified version. All I did was adjust contrast using ‘highlights’ and ‘shadows’ sliders under the ‘develop’ section of Lightroom. Doing so provides better contrast that more closely resembles the way the scene appeared to my eye.
To accentuate the effect of the sky and make a more dramatic image, I've used the graduated neutral density effect. This has an effect that digitally emulates the application of a two-stop gradated neutral density filter to the front of the camera. The effect is easily spotted by its treatment of the electrical pylons.
To accentuate the effect of the sky and make for a more dramatic image, I’ve used the graduated neutral density effect. This applies the effect that digitally emulates the application of a two-stop gradated neutral density filter to the front of the camera. The effect is easily spotted by its treatment of the electrical pylons.
In this fourth version, I've heavily manipulated contrast and exposure, and used both 'Clarity' and 'Saturation' sliders. To me, while the photograph has an impressive punch, it no longer resembles the scene. Such manipulation is relatively easy, thus owing to it being commonly applied to images today. Incidentally, you can apply the same techniques to photographs exposed on film.
In this fourth version, I’ve heavily manipulated contrast and exposure, and used both ‘Clarity’ and ‘Saturation’ sliders. To me, while the photograph has an impressive punch, it no longer resembles the scene as I saw it. Such manipulation is relatively easy, thus owing to it being commonly applied to images today. Incidentally, you can apply the same techniques to photographs exposed on film.

Back in the old days, I’d routinely make adjustments to contrast and exposure when I printed my black & white negatives. Often, I’d expose and process the film in anticipation of manipulation in the darkroom. (I’d also make prints from color slides using Cibachrome and Type R materials, but that’s a story for another day).

In effect, my digital manipulation of the RAW file is a modern interpretation of this traditional processing technique. I’ve not added anything to the original file, I’ve simply altered contrast, exposure, and color saturation using controls offered by the program.

 

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photography

Night Trains in Daylight!

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Finland is a great place to make railway photographs. Two of my favorite features of the country are the long days of summer, (in late July the sun remains above the horizon to well after 10 pm), and the overnight sleeping car trains.

Low rich sun light and long unusual-looking consists of sleeping cars and auto-carriers make for many photographic possibilities.

During my visit three night trains served Oulu in each direction daily. These run between Helsinki and northern cities at Kemijärvi, Kolari, and Rovaniemi.

Not every evening is clear and bright. Too often it rains. But last Saturday evening the sky was free of clouds and the air was clear, making for nearly ideal conditions.

These views are of IC 266 (Rovaniemi – Helsinki) led by a pair of Soviet-built Sr1 electrics. At Oulu cars are added to the train using a Dv12 diesel, which provides ample time to make photographs of the train arriving and standing at the station.

VR overnight train IC 266 approaches Oulu, Finland on the evening of Jul 25, 2015.
VR overnight train IC 266 approaches Oulu, Finland on the evening of Jul 25, 2015.
VR overnight train IC 266 approaches Oulu, Finland on the evening of Jul 25, 2015.
VR overnight train IC 266 approaches Oulu, Finland on the evening of Jul 25, 2015.

My host, Markku Pulkkinen, explained the train’s daily routine, suggested locations for photographs, and provided transportation. I made these images with my FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera. The challenge of working with very low sun is navigating the shadows successfully.

IC 266 has a long station stop at Oulu.
IC 266 has a long station stop at Oulu.

Tracking the Light posts new material daily!

photography

TRACKING the LIGHT Extra: VR overnight train IC 274 arrives at Oulu at 23:45

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Back in olden times overnight sleeping car trains were common. Today, not so much. Yet, I’ve just boarded IC 274 for Helsinki. There was a mob on the platform at Oulu. To quote the old saying, ‘There’s no one riding trains any more, they are too crowded.’

Thankfully, I’m locked away in a berth.

Lumix LX-7 photo exposed at Oulu on 29 July 2015.
Lumix LX-7 photo exposed at Oulu on 29 July 2015.
Lumix LX-7 photo exposed at Oulu on 29 July 2015. 11:45pm.
Lumix LX-7 photo exposed at Oulu on 29 July 2015. 11:45pm.

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Back in olden times overnight sleeping car trains didn’t have WiFi!

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