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A Perfect Train
By: George W. Hamlin
January 24, 2007
 | | George W. Hamlin |
So, what’s your idea of a perfect train? One with a great locomotive consist, say all of the UP’s Heritage units, freshly scrubbed, one behind the other? Or maybe something that has more of a consistent appearance? Would it be powered by classic diesels or perhaps, steam? I’m certain that there are both a wide variety of possibilities and at least an equal number of preferences. Some would summon up the Empire Builder or North Coast Limited in their prime; fans of stainless steel consists might advocate the Super Chief. The historically minded might prefer the 1938 edition of the Twentieth Century Limited. And freight can’t be ignored, either. I suspect that there’s someone out there that would choose a brand new unit coal train, with sparkling power (and having seen pictures of the Oneida & Western’s “green machine, complete with matching SD40-2s and caboose, when it was new, they would have a point). How about a set of New York Central red “Pacemaker” boxcars, behind either a 4-8-2 Mohawk, or a shiny set of F units?
Long-time TRAINS magazine editor David P. Morgan opined on this subject in the magazine’s May 1966 issue, in an article entitled “The perfect passenger train”. Contrary to the visions of matched-set uniformity cited above, DPM choose individual cars for his consist based on their distinctive features, intending that Southern Pacific’s gray “Lark Club” triple-unit diner-kitchen-lounge would cohabit with a B&O baggage lounge and a stainless California Zephyr dome observation, among others, to be powered by Alco PAs. Morgan looked on this project in a holistic manner, since he also considered route and schedule (and I certainly don’t disagree with him that “Cincinnati Union Terminal on a rainy spring night” would warrant a visit. Memo to self: from a railfan perspective, the man knew how to live!)
David P. had a point about putting one’s idea of a perfect train in context, in my opinion. To be really “perfect”, the train in question needs to be appropriate to its surroundings; somehow, the ’38 Century, complete with its flatland-racer J3 Hudson, would have been out of place climbing Santa Susanna Pass, for example. Time, place and context play a key role in achieving the status of “perfection”, particularly from the perspective of photographing such an exemplar.
So then, why do I nominate this one (NS local V86 at Compton, Virginia, on the former N&W’s Shenandoah Line) as a “perfect” train? Because it fits, and is fitting. I’d long wanted a morning shot of an eastbound at this location, knowing that only the power and a small part of the train would be in the shot. What finally crossed my viewfinder was better than I expected: a short, single-unit consist that visually filled the frame nicely. And fitting? No exotic/colorful power, or flashy cars – just a workaday consist, including wood products both indigenous to the area and likely from far away, with power that wouldn’t attract a second glance from many. On November 4, 2005, however, at this place, looking through this 24 mm lens, this is a perfect train.
Copyright © George W. Hamlin. All Rights Reserved.
This article has been viewed 5513 times.
User Comments on this Article:
Posted by Andrew Blaszczyk (2) on January 24, 2007:
Awesome article, George! After reading the title I made it a point to scroll past the photo and read the text first. It was definitely a suprise to see that short one engine train, but I think you have the right idea. The perfect train is one that fits its surroundings, time period, etc. just like you stated above. Hopefully this will make others go out and search and work to find the perfect train. Thanks for a very enjoyable read!
Posted by E Garrett on January 25, 2007:
This is what draws many of us to the hobby: the long, patient and, disputably, never-ending quest for the perfect image or ultimate representation of an experience. That we will never agree precisely on what that is only helps fill the database for everyone's edification! More power to every photographer out there! Since many of us, perhaps by default, also shoot landscapes, let me draw from a parallel experience. I've spent time living in Vermont, a land of scenic mountains and picturesque dairy cattle, and I tried for over a year to capture one iconic photo that would show the whole picture. Finally, luck was on my side: the light, the cattle, the view. If I'd arrived at that scene five minutes later, the herd would already have been trooping off to the barn.
Posted by Mark Rosnick on January 29, 2007:
Very enjoyable article George. While many may follow the main-lines looking for their perfect train, I'd rather follow the branch line or shortline for my "perfect" train. To me the slower pace is more enjoyable on a shortline or branch. I finally realized that the majority of my photos on RP were from the NS branch that runs past my backyard. I find the 4-10 car local with push-pull power to be my perfect train. They're easier to chase, the crews recognize me, and they're much more receptive to "foamers" than some of the crews I've encountered on mainlines. To each his (or her) own, but give me a local freight anyday.
Posted by Ken Kuehne (Kansas Railfan) on May 10, 2007:
Good read George, thanks for sharing!
Posted by SP4449BN9444 on January 26, 2008:
Awesome Article. My idea of the perfect train to me would be BN#9580 and BN#9444 sd70mac's that are looking beautiful with a 120 car coal train with BN#9494 sd70mac with a caboose right in front of. The train is made up of BN thrall gondolas and bethong BN Black coal porters. The train is just leaving Powder River Basin as it heads for its long journey to Texas. My 2nd train would be those same 3 engines at the front of a 100 car freight train with a bunch of tanker cars, boxcars, hopper cars, ect. as they leave out of Walsenburg Colorado. As it enters the town they see a 14 year old boy wearing a old engineer hat with a BN sd70mac unit as the logo with the BN sign on the front of the engine. The boy is with his Grandpa and a local railfan that has a 10 acre live steam railroad at his house. They are in a old 1947 jeep that was in WW2. They wave to engineer as the train comes to a stop as it waits for a meet with a BN empty coal train heading back up to PRB (Powder River Basin.) They engineer comes out and talks to the boy and the 2 men. He askes if they want to come in the cab. They say yes of course, the engineer askes if they would like to come to Trinadad, of course this is after the boy and 2 men are amazed with the beauty and size of the 3 sd70mac's. They say yes, but ask how they will get the Jeep back to the house and the engineer said, "We will ask a train that is coming back here if they can bring you back." They call one of the men's wife and she is laughing. They all get a chance to drive the train, because the egineer asked them. He even gave them all BN hats with a sd70mac engine as the logo.
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