Though a few of you might have a laugh at my expense,
Tuesday the 5th started out pretty good for me. I got a call from work saying that the November issue of trains was in and my photo was on page 35 so i rushed down there to see for myself. When I got down there I pulled open the pages and a there’s my night shot at Newcastle, SWEET. After that I picked up my paycheck and headed over the gas station to fill up the tank and made up my mind that I should head out to Penryn for a shot that I had scoped out the day before.15 minutes later I arrive and put it in 4L to get up the hill and between the post and tree. After a couple of attempts to get the truck up and around I finally got in and drove up the trail and up the hills until it came alongside the UP tracks. I crested the top of the hill to the sight of Amtrak #5 coming around the curve and I stopped and got an alright shot but I wanted more.
So for three hours I sat there waiting and waiting for a westbound. I did hear 3 eastbound, but that didn’t help because the eastbound track is out of sight. Finally I hear a westbound and jump out of the truck and snap a quick frame, and as he curves down I snap one more.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/norcalphantom/5057356918/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/norcalphantom/5057
Thanks for sharing the photos and the story - it’s good to be reminded that such things can happen to even the best of us. But it wouldn’t have happened to me - first, my photos aren’t that good; and 2nd, no vehicle I own would be up to attempting that trail . . . [swg]
The photos are just about polar opposites - event hough they’re of the same train. The one is just barely visible on the hillside in the distance - but working in the light brown long grass and the falling-down fence post pointing towards it is a nice touch. The head-on shot is dramatic, but the light on the lead loco’s nose could have been a little brighter - then again, I see that you know that, and so maybe that’s what makes this shot just a little different and more ‘moody’.
There’s quite a variety of styles and subject on your Flickr page - that was fun to browse through for a few minutes. So far my favorite is the “33” wheels" silhouette shot. For those of you here that like good photography, I encourage you to take a look there too - there are lots of good people shots in there, and some funny and ironic captions, too.
Congratulations on the publication of your night photo of the Donner tunnel notching at Newcastle - the headlight is nice. And thanks again for sharing all of these. [bow]
Thanks Paul, I’m glad to know you enjoyed it.