Midweek Photos 2/15/2017

          Even though I have not photographed any real trains in several months, occasionally I dig into my collection of tourist train brochures and scan one for posterity's sake.
I never made it to this operation, it was unique in that the railroad was entirely built on private land from scratch, much like a full-size model RR!

vintage Amtrak ad

Argentine Kansas City Kansas BNSF Main Line looking East

My girlfriend and I celebrate don't Valentines Day last Friday on a wine and dessert train on the Allentown and Auburn Railroad. We had a private car (CNJ caboose 91507) and she got quite a kick out of the lanterns I had lighting the car and the fact that I ha pizza delivered to the caboose. This was her first train ride, and she loved it. She said she will be back again. 

Unfortunately, we had so much fun that I forgot to take photos. As luck would have it, I was car host in that car the next night, so I took photos the.  

Outside of the car from a different trip. 

I didn't think I'd make it out to catch any trains this week--wasn't in my wife's plan.   However, yesterday afternoon I heard the D&I (Dakota & Iowa), my favorite railroad, get a warrant to go up the big hill and head south.  Could I resist?  Ah, no.  I left the sofa entirely to the cat, grabbed my camera bag, and headed out the door.  I took a few shots here and there along the line, being careful to not get the car stuck in gooey mud.  I didn't snag much for the effort until I noticed the sun getting low.  The little short winter run train* would be curving into the faded town of Fairview, SD along the South Dakota/Iowa border.  I knew there might be a shot that would work...........

From up on top of the river bluff I could see the tracks in the distance, and set up my tripod, camera, and 400mm lens.  The little train slowly (25 mph) came into view and began going around the curve that would take it to town.  When all looked right, I took a shot.  I watched as the train made its way on across the river and into Fairview, then it disappeared to the south into a riparian forest.  I gathered my stuff and broke off the chase, and headed back home.  If I get just one nice shot in a day, I feel like I've succeeded.

I'll add an interesting note.  The hill and trees at the top of the frame are in South Dakota.  The train is in Iowa.  The town is in South Dakota; I took the shot from Iowa.  Things can get a little confusing around here.

Kent in SD

*D&I is a quarry operation, and 

mostly operates in summer hauling

long rock trains.  They still make a few 

runs in winter pulling much shorter 

trains.

This Midweek I'm out in St. Joseph, MO visiting family. This morning I went out for a photo shoot. Here's my results.

Southbound coal train north of town, with pushers.

Then, I headed to downtown St. Joseph and caught this mixed freight northbound, followed shortly thereafter by this track inspection vehicle.

CarGuyZM10 posted:

My girlfriend and I celebrate don't Valentines Day last Friday on a wine and dessert train on the Allentown and Auburn Railroad. We had a private car (CNJ caboose 91507) and she got quite a kick out of the lanterns I had lighting the car and the fact that I ha pizza delivered to the caboose. This was her first train ride, and she loved it. She said she will be back again. 

 

Unfortunately, we had so much fun that I forgot to take photos. As luck would have it, I was car host in that car the next night, so I took photos the.  

Outside of the car from a different trip. 

Great shots, Michael! What did you use in the lanterns, kerosene or lamp oil? With that many lanterns, did they produce many fumes? I'm curious about how to use mine, and see what ventilation I might need.

Tim O'Malley -  I use lamp oil, specifically lamp oil without parrafin, as it clogs the wicks (same with dyed fuels or scented fuels). If you adjust the wick right, the odor is very minor (though their is an odor when you blow it out). This is the brand I use:

I've seen it at hardware stores, as well as Kmart and Walmart. It burns so well that my girlfriend, who has sensitive allergies to stuff like this, didn't even notice. 

Thank you for the news, Michael! I have a clear oil I bought at Kmart in 2010.  I may have doused the wick too much, because it burned like a house fire more than a candle.  I'm glad you had luck with it.

Tim O'Malley posted:

Thank you for the news, Michael! I have a clear oil I bought at Kmart in 2010.  I may have doused the wick too much, because it burned like a house fire more than a candle.  I'm glad you had luck with it.

If you adjust your wick, that shouldn't be a problem. That being said, I have one lantern (a Keystone Casey) that will shoot flames out the chimney if I use lamp oil. It is designed for thicker oil, so I burn mineral oil in that.