About an abandoned town

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.

Continue reading “About an abandoned town”

GAugust 29, 2016August 28, 2016Leave a comment

Railroad, USA

One for the road

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

GAugust 25, 2016August 9, 2016Leave a comment

Railroad, USA

5 minutes, 5 new engines

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

GAugust 18, 2016August 9, 2016Leave a comment

Railroad, USA

Good business

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

GAugust 11, 2016November 17, 2016Leave a comment

Landscape, Railroad, Railscapes, USA

Time for a break

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

GAugust 8, 2016November 17, 2016Leave a comment

Railroad, USA

Long live double stack trains

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

GAugust 4, 2016November 17, 2016Leave a comment

Railroad, USA

A well used tunnel

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

GAugust 1, 2016August 1, 20163 Comments

Landscape, Railroad, Railscapes, USA

More curves

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

GJuly 28, 2016August 22, 2016Leave a comment

Railroad, USA

Tunnels and 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

GJuly 25, 2016Leave a comment

Railroad, USA

The loop

1 day. That’s what it takes to get from Brussels to the west coast of the United States. The flight brought my friend and I safely to San Francisco International Airport. I recommend visiting San Francisco, it’s a nice city. I visited a couple of years ago already though, and the longing for adventure in the wide open was too strong… so after getting our … Continue reading The loop

GJuly 21, 2016Leave a comment

Railscapes

Journeys along railroads

Tag: railroad

About an abandoned town

One for the road

5 minutes, 5 new engines

Good business

Time for a break

Long live double stack trains

A well used tunnel

More curves

Tunnels and curves

The loop