Tag Archives: RF&P

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99 on the Trestle; This is about the Process.

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Here is a sequence of three views made in rapid succession of Amtrak 99 on CSXT’s former Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac route at Neabsco, Virginia.

Making this photograph was a joint effort: I was traveling with Vic and Becky Stone and Pat Yough. Vic suggest the location, Pat drove the hired car, and I consulted the Amtrak schedules.

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Over the past three years in Tracking the Light, I’ve posted thousands of images. Yet, an underlying purpose of this site is the discussion of the process of making the photos.

It would be easy enough to simply display wonderful calendar quality images, but I’m hoping to enlighten the reader with some of the background behind the photo.

Occasionally a photograph comes easily; by sheer dumb luck an opportunity will present itself that makes for a stunning photograph. However, most of the time making interesting railway images requires research, patience and skill with the camera.

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I’ll continue to do my best with providing hints to the research, tips on how to more effectively use a camera, and bits of background behind the photographs. You are on your own when it comes to patience!

Tracking the Light normally posts original content on a daily basis!

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Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac: Train 94 June 9, 2015.

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Rolling along on the old RF&P Amtrak 94 was gradually losing time as heat and slow orders conspire to ensure I get more train ride for my money.

At Washington D.C. I had to opportunity to stretch my legs and exercise my Lumix LX7 while engines were exchanged; 155 for 636.

On board Amtrak 94.
On board Amtrak 94.
Spotting a friend on the platform at Ashland! Hey Vic!
Spotting a friend on the platform at Ashland! Hey Vic!
Passing Amtrak P42 number 172 on the old RF&P.
Passing Amtrak P42 number 172 on the old RF&P.
Train watchers at Fredericksburg.
Train watchers at Fredericksburg.
Lorton, Virginia where the Auto Train is loaded.
Lorton, Virginia where the Auto Train is loaded.
Alexandria, Virginia as seen from Amtrak 94.
Alexandria, Virginia as seen from Amtrak 94.
DC Metro at King Street, Alexandria, Virginia.
DC Metro at King Street, Alexandria, Virginia.
Private cars at Washington Union Station.
Private cars at Washington Union Station.
Amtrak's ACS-64 610 at Washington Union Station.
Amtrak’s ACS-64 610 at Washington Union Station.

Now north of Washington, flying along under wire!

Tracking the Light posts every day!

 

 

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Tracking the Light visits Ashland, Virginia—June 4, 2015.

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I’d had a ticket on Amtrak 95 for Main Street in Richmond. However, a call to my old friend Doug Riddell resulted in a change of plan.

I’ve known Doug for more than 20 years, since I was worked at Pentrex Publishing. Now Doug is retired from Amtrak and living near Ashland.

Getting off the train in the middle of the street is an experience. Especially when its raining. Doug and I had lunch at the Trackside Grill, a short walk from the station.

We positioned ourselves along the street near the passenger station to catch Amtrak’s Auto Train, which as I soon learned, still routinely runs with Amtrak’s older 800-Series Genesis diesels.

Amtrak's Autotrain with a pair of 800-Series Genesis. Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
Amtrak’s Autotrain with a pair of 800-Series Genesis. Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
Track speed down the street is limited to 35 mph during the day. Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
Track speed down the street is limited to 35 mph during the day. Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
The Auto train is Amtrak's longest and heaviest run. Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
The Auto train is Amtrak’s longest and heaviest run. Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
June 4, 2015 at 6:05 pm at Ashland, Virginia. Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
June 4, 2015 at 6:05 pm at Ashland, Virginia. Fuji X-T1 digital camera.
Amtrak 125 makes its station stop on Track 3 at Ashland, Virginia. This is one of the relatively new trains destined for Norfolk, Virginia.
Amtrak 125 makes its station stop on Track 3 at Ashland, Virginia. This is one of the relatively new trains destined for Norfolk, Virginia.

The weather wasn’t the best, but there was plenty of action on the old RF&P and it was great to see Doug again.

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Alexandria, Virginia—May 20, 1985.

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It was 30 years ago this morning that I exposed this black & white photo of a northward Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac piggyback train at Alexandria, Virginia.

RF&P was among the railroads melded into the CSX system.

Exposed on Kodak black & white film with a Leica 3A fitted with an old 50mm Elmar with non-standard f stop setting. Among the other challenges of using this lens was its lack of modern color coatings. However, it was a very sharp piece of glass.
Exposed on Kodak black & white film with a Leica 3A fitted with an old 50mm Elmar with non-standard f stop settings. Among the other challenges of using this lens was its lack of modern color coatings. However, it was a very sharp piece of glass.

Tracking the Light posts new material every morning.

Please share Tracking the Light!

http://briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/