A few nights ago I was working in Huron, SD. By the time I got done with work,
it was my favorite time to take train photos--dark! I headed over to the DME
yard and found an e/b grain train parked in a siding. A crew had just been
dropped off and they were preparing the engine to get underway. I chatted with
the conductor and a switchman for a little bit about the proposed selling of the
railroad. They were hoping that Santa didn't bring them a lump of coal for
Christmas! I took a few shots before the headlights switched on, and headed
east down the tracks to find another spot for a shot. I had one in mind.
Driving a couple of dozen miles put me in the town of Iroquois, yet another
faded prairie town with not much besides a bar, an old elevator, and a gas
station. I turned off the highway and circled around to a little grove of
spruce trees along the tracks. The town's Christmas display was nestled in
there--a nativity scene, a small model of a country church, plus strings of the
old fashioned large bulb Christmas lights. I examined the scene carefully and
thought, "Perfect!" I set up a couple of lights aimed at the tracks, set up my
camera on a tripod, and took some test shots. The wind had blown the plastic
Joseph & Mary askew inside the replica stable. I repositioned them, and placed
my hands on my hips while admiring the great job I had done setting it all
straight. I focused the lens carefully, and began perfecting the exposure. I
had plenty of time as the conductor had told me the train had slow orders for a
ten mile stretch.
About then, the deputy sherriff showed up. He slowly got out of his car and
walked over to me. He asked, "What's up?" I told him about the e/b train and how
I was hoping to get a photo of it. He told me that the sherriff's office had
received a call from someone observing suspicious activity at the nativity
scene. The caller said there was an atheist there trying to tear down the
display, and had even peed on the baby Jesus! I replied, "Sounds like an old
lady with nothing to do. The nativity is obviously still up, and if the baby is
wet, it did it itself." The deputy laughed and said the caller was one of their
"regulars." He had to check out every call though. He then expressed interest
in my camera and flash. He said he liked trains a lot too. It turned out his dad
had worked for the CNW, and his brother worked in Huron for the CP. He had grown
up with trains. I said, "Train should be here in about 15-20 minutes. Why not
stick around and watch?" He said the night was slow and that sounded like fun.
So we sat out there in the dark. There was no moon and the stars shone
brilliantly against the black void above. He said, "Living out here you come to
appreciate how beautiful the stars are. Beautiful, beautiful stars!" I agreed.
I love the night and its quiet beauty.
Soon after we heard a faint throb to the west. For me, it was unmistakable. A
bright headlight appeared shortly after. The deputy said, "It's coming.
Shouldn't you be up and ready?" I told him the train was still five minutes out
and I was in no hurry. I did pop the flash just to make sure they were still
on. As the grade crossing a few blocks away sprang to life and the horn on the
old ICE SD-45 shattered the silence, I got behind my camera, did some last
second checks, and waited for the perfect moment. When that came, I popped the
shot. The flash fired; the train rumbled by. And rumbled and rumbled. (It was a
long train.) As it receded into the darkness to the east, the deputy helped me
carry my gear back to my car. He said, "That was cool!" I showed him the shot
on the LCD, and he asked how much $$ I'd sell him one. I told him I'd just give
him one for helping me carry gear, and took down his address. We bid each other
"Merry Christmas!" and went on our way. As I drove the hour & a half home, I
did wonder a bit what the old lady who called in the report of someone peeing on
Jesus thought of the deputy coming and just hanging out with me. No doubt she
was watching the whole time. I found the thought amusing!
Most all of the towns I come across are fading and slowly sinking back into the
prairie they sprang from. There is some question about how long their very
reason for existing--the railroad, will be around too. None the less, there is
still some magic left in them, and some good fellowship along the tracks. I
savor all of this while both they, and I, exist.
Merry Christmas from
Kent in SD
O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shining far through shadows dim
Giving the light for those who long have gone
Guiding the wise men on their way
Unto the place where Jesus lay
O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine on
--A.M. Pace, 1940
Beautiful Beautiful Star:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx8cII6wAXY
