In what is almost the last light of the day, a Union Pacific westbound manifest is finding its way through the Tehachapi hills. Wagonload traffic seems to still be a profitable business on the western side of the Atlantic. That is, judging by the number of mixed freight trains we saw. In the Trip Reports section, the complete story of this day is available. Make sure … Continue reading Good business
Even if the busy mainline is filled with beautiful viewpoints, you still need luck. After hours of waiting for no train to come, in the burning sun, our stock of water heating up and shrinking away too fast, we had to decide to do something else. Take a break (like what the train traffic did). Walk back to the car. Get a dollar menu at … Continue reading Time for a break
Double stack container trains (and the Stagger’s act, check wikipedia) have played a major role in the revival of American railroads. They allowed huge efficiency gains and competing prices, helping rail freight transporters become profitable companies. To illustrate the point made in the previous chapter of this story: this shot was made after switching lenses and setting up again. 2 trains and a number of … Continue reading Long live double stack trains
When out shooting, one of my goals is to not make two photos from the same point of view. Always try different angles. Unless I want the conditions to be exactly on the spot, of course. So, when the next eastbound train announced itself, I set up to shoot the photo that will follow next, but first made this image of the portal of the … Continue reading A well used tunnel
Last week I spent a week out of the country. Main destination were the ever magnificent Swiss Alps, hoping to find some snow. Following the sun led us to a lot of different places: the Gotthard line, first time in winter the Rhätische Bahn, meter gauge trains in magnificent landscapes the region between Strasbourg and Saverne, chasing the last months of the Eurocity’s to and … Continue reading 1 week holiday
Railscapes 