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
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
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
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
How would you travel to the Mediterranean? The most obvious way for a lot of people would be be by plane, I guess. But why not consider the train? For a couple of good reasons, I like travelling by train: I’m a fan of slow travel. By taking the time to travel, you get the occasion to decompress and live the trip more consciously. I’m … Continue reading To Nice
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 