Frequently, the most detail and interest is found in the backside of structures. Backsides of structures most often face the tracks. Here’s some backside structures I took while riding the VRE train in several parts of northern Virginia.
BTW, using my new Nikon Coolpix digital camera ($199); discovered I can take photos from a moving train using the “action” mode. The action ramps the speed from about 1/60 to about 1/125. Not as good as most film cameras but good enough to get some not too blurry shots of train scenes and my beagle, as long as I pan a bit. In the 4th photo down, you can see other passengers, reflected in the window glare.
Another discovery is that if you keep the shutter pressed down, the camera will fire off a rapid succession of shots so you don’t miss the main action as the train chugs past an item of interest.
I’ve got a lot more photos I’ll share that will give you all some nice layout ideas.
The first 2 photos are in Alexandria. These lucky folk get a closeup view of the CSX mainline. While the front of most homes is rather tidy and sterile, the backside of homes shows the individual personalities of the people, with all sorts of nick-nacks strewn about. Observant passengers have noticed people showering as the train chugs past.
The backsides of industrial areas are equally interesting. The first scene used to be served by NS but now is truck only, while the second scene is still served by rail, but rarely.
In Manassas, construction of housing is going full tilt and this is a new spur to a