Post your Train shots!

[Marilynne]

Missing some rails

 

[Marilynne]

 

[crashton]

Looks like the crossing are going to become nice & smooth.

 

[Sandpatch]

Stopped by Melrose, NC today at the foot of famous Saluda Grade, removed from service in late 2001. Nature is reclaiming the railroad, which is a sad sight. I posted the top photo here some years ago taken in 1986 and I'll repost it to contrast with today's picture.

 

[Sandpatch]

Two other shots from today. Ivory hunters have been at work with attempts at stealing signal components. Too bad they can't just leave things be. There was once a phone in the concrete booth, used for crews to call the Dispatcher to confirm the status of moves on the mountain.

 

[crashton]

The first picture is a great one Sandpatch. I love the lighting & the brake smoke coming off the train. The other pictures are just so sad. I'm glad you were able to document that fine piece of railroad while it was active & alive.

 

[crashton]

I saw some sad sights the other day too. Not as sad as a whole line going away, but still sad. Wednesday I decided to head up to Fostoria to the Iron Triangle. On the way up I detoured through Carey OH only to discover the CSX is getting ready to remove some of the old C&O cantilever signals & replace them with modern equivalents.

 

[Jerry_]

(Taken with an IR converted camera (D90 720nm) to better isolate the subject from the background)

 

[crashton]

Wheeling and Lake Erie pushing empties at the National Lime & Stone Company in Carey OH.

 

[Sandpatch]

Thanks Chuck. If I someday buy a slide scanner, maybe I can post a few more shots on Saluda. I might have posted this low-rez scan here long ago, but I'm not sure. I took it in '84 at Big Sand Cut, about halfway down the grade. Back then, most trains came up in three sections.

 

[Sandpatch]

I am saddened at seeing old signals come down too. As a result of PTC regulations, everything will look the same from coast to coast. Time was when you could see a signal and often determine the owning railroad with this one clue, right?

 

[crashton]

I am saddened at seeing old signals come down too. As a result of PTC regulations, everything will look the same from coast to coast. Time was when you could see a signal and often determine the owning railroad with this one clue, right?

Yes that is true. One day I believe all signals could be gone, replaced by in cab signals controlled by someone thousands of miles away via satellite. We are almost there now. This old guy loves the signals of years past.

 

[crashton]

Back on topic, a CSX train headed southbound at Arvada OH on the old C&O.

 

[Sandpatch]

Back on topic, a CSX train headed southbound at Arvada OH on the old C&O.

Nice shots. I see another vestige of the past -- a pole line.

 

[crashton]

Yes you are right about that. When I saw them I hoped they wouldn't ruin the picture. Turns out that relic enhanced it. I had about 20 seconds to get the shot. That train was really moving & I had to use all of my GTI's horsepower to get in front of that train. Thankfully I didn't cross paths with the sheriff or state patrol during the chase.

 

[crashton]

Working on the railroad. These guys had the east west main all tied up in Fostoria OH. Better to weld the rails than have trains on the ground.

 

[Sandpatch]

After failing to catch NS's Penn Central Heritage Unit last week in a good spot for photography, I captured NS's N&W unit today in Columbia, SC! The skies were overcast, but this was to my benefit because the sun is in a tough spot at this location in the summer.

 

[crashton]

That is one fine looking locomotive. Great catch & photo Sandpatch. :encouragement:

 

[Sandpatch]

Thank you Chuck. I must admit that my hands were noticeably shaking as I took the photo. I was in a very safe spot, but had no business there and I was nervous. I know that my Nikkor 18-55 is a VR lens, but I'm old skool and ramped up the shutter speed to 1/800 to assure a clear image.

 

[crashton]

I wondered how you got that shot. It's not like the old days when one could wander around & at worst be told to leave. Now they arrest you for trespassing.