Five Hours To Railfan Last Saturday

Woke up Saturday morning to very foggy skies, I wanted to get out to chase a few trains. Well after a shower, shave and a couple of honey-dos I made it out the door by about 10:30 AM, not knowing if the sun would shine.

Generally, no matter which way I head, I usually start railfanning at Sparks yard here in Northern Nevada, Saturday was no different. Just as I got to Sparks a westbound manifest was pulling out of the yard, no time to do a yard check… I needed gas for the rig, no problem I’ll catch that westman in the Truckee River canyon.

After gassing up and getting a breakfast sandwich, I like the sausage, egg, cheese on a biscuit fare, headed west to find that manifest. Passed him between Lawton, NV and Verdi, NV somewhere. The UP "Overland’ route’s Donner line and I-80 are not in eyeshot of each other through this territory. Knowing that access might be a problem with all the snow on the ground, wanted to get out ahead of him so I’d have plenty of time to find a spot to capture this manifest. Gosh, just love those manifests! Do you?

Was making good time up the Truckee River canyon on I-80 after crossing the Nevada/California stateline, I first slowed and considered the light at Floriston, CA but it wouldn’t work - kept trucking westbound. Again considered Boca, California for a shot, exited the highway, too much snow to walk through for the shot I wanted, back on I-80.

Just as soon as I was back on the freeway, slowed just passed the chain up area west of Boca, CA. I pulled off onto the shoulder of the highway, saw a nice opportunity with good light, then thought no deal, didn’t want to chance the parking ticket.

Oh, Glenshire Drive popped into my head, a portion of this street was US 40 prior to Interstate 80’s construction. So Truckee bound I went. As I was driving towards Truckee and Glenshire Drive, thought about the overpass crossing of UP’s “Overland Route” and the Truckee River on Glenshire, that’s going to be the spot I

Nothing new! Can not find server! God that web site realy sucks,(Railpictures).

great story, sure would like some pix to back it.

Very nice photos, would like to have seen Amtrak 5.

Gotta love those Saturday’s with the trains!

BTW, ya that railpictures has it’s time when it doesn’t work. Must be loading more popups on the page for the next time I’m there!

Don’t understand no pictures. Mine came through beautifully. Great shots. Paul

Their site was down earlier this morning. Must be up and running now.

UP manifest trains?
I see Up engines lead csx manifests over here all the time. great shots
stay safe
Joe

Great pictures[8D]! The only problem I have with Trainpictures is that the photos are too big to fit on the computer screen. I have to fiddle with the side to side and the up and down to see the entire photo.

Your pictures looked terrific on the University computer screen I am using. Great color, enough detail, and you really are an artist at composition and balance. They are not only great train pictures but good art as well. Keep it up. You’ll be there with Steinbheimer and Link some day!

Yes great shots, and even better was the story to accompany them, very enjoyable.

Thanks for sharing!

Fantastic pics, Jim!

Need to ask 2 questions:
1.What kind of camera, film etc do you use?
2.Do you know of any good locations near Las Vegas to photo from?
Please feel free to post a follow up or email me direct if you’d like. Once again thanks for some tremendous shots!

Mike Vanlandingham

Jim–

Excellent, excellent pics! It’s an absolute joy to see well-done train photography from some of my own favorite spots. (Especially Glenshire Drive!) Wish I got up there more often.

–JD

I was in my car reading, and No. FIVE suprised me, only got a standard roster shot off of the locomotives. Didn’t get it grouped with that manifest, which would have been a better framed shot.

Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

Mike,

November of last year I purchased a Canon Digital Rebel, of all the camera’s I’ve owned, I’m having the most fun with this one! Sorry, can’t help with the LV railfanning, never been to southern Nevada to fan. But, If you like I’ll try and put you intouch with a fan that lives in Las Vegas.

Jim - Lawton, NV

JD,

If and when you next get up here would enjoy meeting you and doing some railfanning.

Jim - Lawton, NV MP 236

Jim–

My thought exactly. Can’t predict when it will be, but I’ll definitly let you know. In fact, I know the people who run the fishing club up there (the well-posted private property) and can get in there pretty much whenever I want. There are some superb railfanning spots in there…

–JD

Very cool stuff, Jim!

Dave,

Thank you for your compliment. My goal is to be able to make good photos in most situations. I do not view my photos as art, I’ll leave that to the artists, I do want to document the slice of railroading that I see with pleasing views.

Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

Yes, but you are a natural. It is one thing to frame the locomotive without the front coupler exiting the frame (in a side view). It is a step above that to make a balanced composition, which you seem to invariably do.