Recent content by Browncoat

A lot changed after 9/11. There was a memo or something from CSX informing security to chase down and question anyone with a camera pointed toward any service facility, yard, etc. As a kid, I remember a DT&I train stopped in a siding, and the engineer literally climbed down and gave me some...

Found some oldies, circa 2009. I call this series: "That time I jumped the fence at CSX Parsons Yard and got chased by security." Probably not too many roundhouses and roundtables left standing. It was worth it.

This is one of my biggest disappointments as a railfan. No more cabeese. That silly little EOT device sucks.

A few shots from the Iron Triangle Rail Park in Fostoria, OH this morning. This place is nuts - the intersection of three double main lines (2 CSX, 1 NS). I even saw a CN train, but sadly I couldn't make it over there in time to get a photo. 80+ trains pass through here every day. The park...

I do remember a lot of complaints about that lens when it came out, as it was very popular with bird watchers. Mostly the zoom ring sticking and issues with the VR. Nothing recent comes to mind, though...aside from the weight and the AF seems a bit slow. It's probably 10-ish years old by now, so...

Been a long time since I played with off-camera flash in daylight, and this is my first time using HSS. My daughter was a good sport and humored dad this evening for some testing. I think I need a bigger modifier.

Looks like Union Pacific is trying to acquire Norfolk Southern for $85 billion, creating the first coast-to-coast railroad network. That would definitely be interesting. Makes you wonder if BNSF and CSX would also merge in the future to stay competitive.

Been a long time since I've done any railfanning, so weather permitting, I'm heading to one of the best places in the country this weekend - Fostoria, OH. I haven't been there since they built Iron Triangle Rail Park, so definitely looking forward to that. Any of you guys been there? Any...

No photo for this yet. I don't want to paint a completely bleak picture, but there is some relief in sight, at least for my community. A Chinese manufacturer is building a large EV battery facility. Phase I is nearly complete, and will employ around 300 people. When the entire project is...

Sadly, I don't think there are any left in Ohio either. I've been through some company towns in SE Ohio, but have never seen a breaker. Definitely a bucket list item.

Wagner Manufacturing Co., Sidney, OH I live in one of the most boring places on earth, and this is what remains of my hometown's claim to fame. Most people have heard of "Wagner Ware," which remains highly collectible cast iron cookware to this day. They were also famous for "Magnalite," an...

I like the first crop. Although, I'd go a little tighter and remove the berries in bottom right corner. I get what you're saying about balance and interest, but for me, they're a distraction. If the crop allows, I'd also shift a little bit and you'd be lined up for a strong Rule of Thirds...

Yeah, Nikon really needs to get its act together when it comes to the "experience." We finally have image recipes, but only available on a few models - and the whole process is so bad, I don't know why anyone would even bother messing with it.

Pixelle Paper Mill, Chillicothe, OH Lots of history in this one. This paper mill has existed for over 200 years, and today covers nearly 500 acres - it's a massive facility. Mead Paper Co spent the longest time here, from 1890-2005. It's changed hands and reorganized several times since then...

I graduated high school in 1993. We were the last class that didn't have to endure standardized testing in order to graduate that schools still use today. I distinctly remember how hard we were pushed to go to college. The book "What Color is Your Parachute?" was required reading and was...