Tag Archives: #Topped and Tailed

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Long Straw at Gap

We arrived at Gap, Pa., just a few minutes before Amtrak’s Keystone 649 was due to pass westbound.

I’ve been aiming to make dramatic photos showing Amtrak trains ‘topped and tailed’ with ACS-64s on both ends. Although, I’ve achieved nominal success, as evident by the photos in several recent posts, to make the most of this style of operation, it helps to know when to expect engines at both ends.

My anticipation of ‘topped and tailed’ Keystone consists has largely been been ‘luck of the draw.’

At Gap, I drew the long straw.

In these views, I was working with my Nikon Z7-II with f2.8 70-200mm zoom set to its maximum focal length.

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Announcements, photography, Rail transit marathon, Tips and Technique

Coming and Going at Amos Herr Park.

I love crisp clear evenings, with bright sun, low humidity and a deep blue sky.

On a whim, I drove to Amos Herr Park in Landisville, Pa., where a trail offers clean views of Amtrak’s electrified Harrisburg Line.

When I arrived, I notice that a Norfolk Southern local freight with engines at both ends, was in the clear of the mainline on an industrial park lead.

Amtrak’s westward Keystone 649 was due, so I set up a view featuring the NS frieght in the distance.

When Amtrak came into view, I made a series of photographs. This set featured ACS-64 electrics at both ends, which has become increasingly common on the Keystone service lately, likely to overcome technical problems with the aged Metroliner Cab Control cars.

This set me thinking pondering other locations to best catch such moves . . . while also wondering if the NS local might pull out on to the main line.

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Announcements, photography, Rail transit marathon, Tips and Technique

Topped and Tailed

In modern British railway practice positioned a locomotive at either end of a consist is described as ‘topped and tailed.’

Wednesday evening, Amtrak’s Keystone 649 was running slightly behind the adverstised and featured Siemen ACS-64 electrics at both ends. On the front of the train locomotive 640 led a venerable former Metroliner cab-car.

I’d been tracking 649’s westward progress. It was dusk when we opted to park off Hoover Road near Gap, Pa., to roll by the train. I made these panned photos of the passing train using my Nikon Z7-II with f2.8 70-200mm lens.

Nikon Z7-II with 70-200mm Nikkor Z-series zoom set at 200mm, f2.8 1/50th sec, ISO 1600.
Nikon Z7-II with 70-200mm Nikkor Z-series zoom set at 200mm, f2.8 1/40th sec, ISO 1600.

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