A westbound doublestacker runs through Ludlow, now populated by creosote bush instead of people. The remains of the town can be seen in the center of the image. The interstate highway, main reason of the town’s disappearing, can be seen on the left. Of course, trains don’t need to make intermediate water stops anymore. Technological advance made this town obsolete. Continue reading In the wide open desert
Ludlow was founded in 1883 as a water stop along the transcontinental railroad. When railroad activity ceased in the 1940s, the town survived supplying the needs of travellers of the national old trails road, the future route 66. The opening of interstate 40 in the 1970s meant the end for businesses as people didn’t need to stop here anymore in their faster cars on the faster system. As a result the town was abandoned. Today, only some supplies for interstate travellers remain at the exit ramps.
We had had our fun at the previous spot, so we decided to take the car further east, into the Mojave desert. While walking back we heard another train in the distance. When we arrived at the car, there was still time to set up for one last shot in Bealville. An ex-ATSF dash 9 enters the image, surrounded by telegraph poles. It’s unclear if … Continue reading One for the road
The Chaparral Yucca was a common sight on that beautiful Monday morning. Native Americans used to make flour from its flowers’ seeds, and baskets from its leaves. We waited for one more train to allow a photo with one of these interesting plants. Continue reading Chaparral Yucca
Still stunned from the passing of the military train, we were surprised to hear more rumble in the distance after only 5 minutes of silence. 5 engines emerged out of the tunnel, slow enough to give us time to try different focal distances. Continue reading 5 minutes, 5 new engines
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
Making photos of the same train doesn’t become boring. For getting this shot, I had to run down the hill a bit and zoom out. The speed of the trains allows it easily… Continue reading More curves
The Tehachapi loop is spectacular to see, but the line between Bakersfield and Mojave still has a lot more to offer. It runs almost completely through a mountainous area. There seems to be no meter of straight track on the line. A lot of tunnels were needed to conquer the pass. They are identified by a number, counting up from Bakersfield. Here an eastbound train … Continue reading Tunnels and curves
Railscapes 