On Donner Pass, the afternoon is a perfect time for taking a nap. Very few freight trains seem to be using this route, part of Union Pacific’s transcontinental Overland Route: we saw only one eastbound grain train. Fortunately, the California Zephyr heading to San Francisco was running on time. Right behind the locomotives, a dome car is part of the train. Unfortunately, I have no … Continue reading Time for a nap
On the trip’s second to last day, before heading back to San Francisco, we visited the railway line over Donner Pass. It’s a very scenic route, but you need to be there early, I think, to see some traffic. Freight trains didn’t come by, but fortunately the line sees a daily passenger train. The California Zephyr has left Truckee and is now on its way … Continue reading School bus
Further waiting for trains on different spots only resulted in a higher number on the odometer. That’s one of this hobby’s greatest frustrations. When the sun was setting, we took a pause from driving and decided to try our luck at Battle Mountain. We were fortunate to get this freight in some beautiful light, followed by the eastbound California Zephyr. And that’s the opposite feeling … Continue reading The excitement of lights in the distance
A view on Palisade Canyon. On the right of the Humboldt river the eastbound train from the previous shot can still be seen, while a westbound, loaded, coal train is approaching Palisade ghost town. Continue reading The canyon
An eastbound coal train runs through Palisade Canyon, worn out by the Humboldt river seen next to the train. Some remnants of the ghost town of Palisade can be seen. Apparently, crime rate in this town was very low, but whenever a train passed, inhabitants would stage gunfights and robberies, to boost tourism. Around the year 1870, that was. Continue reading Hold-up
With the previous photo I mentioned that I beat the train by bicycle. At the Oosterweelbridge, I also beat the train while changing from a telephoto to a wide angle lens. Of course, it could also say something about the speed with which the train was moving 🙂 After passing the Oosterweel bridge, this train still has a long distance to cover before reaching it’s … Continue reading The speed of light
Trains and curves are a good combination. From a visual point of view, not from a technical point of view that is. Kyune is a location on Price River Canyon offering lots of curves. We were about to find out if there would be trains as well. It took a while before one came, but oh did we enjoy the sight of it snaking through … Continue reading Like a snake
We spent the night at a shabby motel in Helper, Utah – it’s good location was the selling argument. On the morning of june 2nd, we only needed a short ride up Price River Canyon to Colton to witness the sunrise. We underestimated the temperature at this altitude though: shorts are not the recommended clothing when it’s -literally- freezing outside! We knew a passenger train … Continue reading Standing the cold
After the unvoluntary chase we agreed to call the evening a success. And still it wasn’t over. The coal train had taken so much time climbing up the hill, that another train was following right behind. Moments like this are a strong contrast to those days where nothing seems to work. I guess you need some of both, although I prefer when things do work … Continue reading Not over yet
In September 2016, the end of summer brought me to the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This region was totally unknown to me. The beautiful photos I have stumbled upon throughout the past months have made me decide to stop waiting any longer and plan the trip. A detailed report will follow in due time. To still hour hunger, I will already give you an idea … Continue reading End of summer trip 2016
Railscapes 