Post your Train shots!
- Thread starter Rick M
- Start date
A lot of railroad pole lines are coming down. They are hazardous and expensive to maintain and most communication went to radio long ago. Some railroads maintain pole lines for CTC (Centralized Traffic Control - remote dispatching of lines where signals and turnouts are worked from hundreds of miles away) and/or to trickle charge batteries which provide back-up power to signals, turnouts, radio base stations and grade crossing flashers during commercial utility power outages. In my area, Norfolk Southern has major projects underway to remotely operate signals and turnouts by radio. Pole lines fading rapidly. Commercial electricity is easier to access, so trickle charging runs can be short.
Trivia: Railroad communication lines aren't run through most tunnels -- they stay outside on pole lines up and over the mountaintops. That way if there was a tunnel collapse communication woudn't be cut.
I miss the pole lines -- they are one of the few traditional remaining lineside details we can use in our pictures! I have a few insulators around here, in ceramic, clear glass and green glass I think. The pole lines in your area are beautiful nikonpup. Haven't seen such in 30 years here.
Trivia: Railroad communication lines aren't run through most tunnels -- they stay outside on pole lines up and over the mountaintops. That way if there was a tunnel collapse communication woudn't be cut.
I miss the pole lines -- they are one of the few traditional remaining lineside details we can use in our pictures! I have a few insulators around here, in ceramic, clear glass and green glass I think. The pole lines in your area are beautiful nikonpup. Haven't seen such in 30 years here.
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Me too! Good grief .......
Wow!
Perhaps 15 or so years ago a handful of U.S. shortlines bought brand new Chinese steam locomotives for their tourist trains, figuring that it was cheaper than repairing a 60+ year-old U.S. locomotive. I'm sure that the tourists knew no better, but railfans knew better. Despite attempts at camoflaging the locomotive's origin, there was no denying their oriental heritage.
That's a fine photo Murasaki. I wonder what gauge the railroads in China use?
That's a fine photo Murasaki. I wonder what gauge the railroads in China use?
Nice East Broad Top shot Alan! That's a road I really want to ride someday. I think they're had some serious financial hardship lately and I'm uncertain if they still operate reguarly.
Your shot is something special in that it includes a railway worker which adds the human element that my photos are often devoid of. I'm shy about including people in my rail photos and need to overcome that. Of course with today's two-man crews, actual people can sometimes be elusive! ;-)
Your shot is something special in that it includes a railway worker which adds the human element that my photos are often devoid of. I'm shy about including people in my rail photos and need to overcome that. Of course with today's two-man crews, actual people can sometimes be elusive! ;-)
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This one is actually from Strasburg. I like going there from time to time just to shoot. I was not that close to him but used my lens to reach out and get the shot. I find that I get better people shots that way. I am not that good at getting shots up close and personal so like my long lens.