Midweek Photo Fun - 2-26-2014

Thanks for starting the thread this week, JDev!

My day of trying to chase trains yesterday ran dry.  Even the one train I did catch was backing away from me.  Here is a train drilling out cars at the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern RR's yard in Pittston, PA.  The road I am on is known as Narrows Road. The yard was originally Lehigh Valley.

This was taken last week, but after seeing the other pictures posted here, I figured it was time to share.

Norfolk Southern 9410  Dash-9 

Here are some from Pittston, PA last Saturday.

Reading and Northern #2000 SD38

Luzerne and Susquehanna #600 SW1

Reading and Northern #5029 SD50 which had a catastrophic mechanical failure.

A brand new GE Erie, Pa built BNSF #8048 being delivered by CSX passing through Berea, Ohio.  This is one of 175 (75 built in Erie, 100 in Ft. Worth, Tx) ordered by BNSF.

I call this week's chapter, "Fear in the Dark."  Some shots:

1. S/B BNSF train near Jasper MN, passing through farm country.  

2. N/B BNSF train crossing frozen Minnesota River near Granite Falls, MN. Two flash were used, but they were big ones!  (Tracks in the snow are from snowmobiles.)

3. N/B BNSF grain train crossing Minnesota River.  Flash was used to freeze the hoppers, and shutter was left open for long exposure to show glow from nearby Granite falls.

To get to the bridge, I walked about 250 yards down the frozen Minnesota River right before dark.   River is about 100 or so yards wide but is mostly only knee to waist deep.  It's very well frozen over after two & half months of below zero temps!    Temp was around +5; I dressed warmly as usual.  There were three trains in line coming through.  I took a shot of the first one, using only two of my biggest flash positioned 80 yards from each end of the bridge (on the ice.)  Second train came, I took a shot.  Train crew then told dispatcher they thought there was someone ON the bridge taking photos of them.  Dispatcher asked, "Did you actually SEE anyone?"  Crew answered, "Negative."  Dispatcher said he'd send someone to check it out.  Uh oh.  I immediately called the BNSF 800 number, non-emergencies, and they put me through to their security office in Twin Cities.  I explained the situation and advised that no one was or had been on the bridge, and that I was about 120 yards west of bridge, and to please advise dispatcher there is no problem.  The special agent at first had trouble understanding that someone would be out on such a cold night, in such a remote area, on a frozen river in total darkness.   We talked for quite awhile, and I actually won him over once he understood I don't go climbing on bridges.  He told me to enjoy my hobby and stay safe on the ice.

This is the first incident I've had of this kind, and it puzzled me.  I got to thinking that usually I'm within 50 feet or so of the tracks, and the crew easily spots me in their headlights.  They see the tripod & camera and quickly figure it out.  This time I  was SO far from the tracks they never saw me, just a flash.  Second thing is traffic has picked up on this line (oil tankers) and there are a lot of new crews who don't know about me.  Third, I've found people in general to be more fearful at night than in the day.  I'm quite comfortable out there alone at night as I figure there's nothing out there at night that wasn't there in the daytime.   I plan on being back out again this weekend--it's supped to be 10 below zero and snowing hard.  I don't want to miss that!  If I have any more problems I'll just call the security office again.  They were very professional and the two I talked to were quite friendly.  I don't anticipate any problems though--this was the first in nine years and it was quickly resolved.

Kent in SD