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Just Another Dash 9
By: Craig Walker
October 7, 2006
 | | Craig Walker |
Today's railroads tend to operate large numbers of look-alike diesels, as the builders no longer offer the variety they once did. For some railfans, this presents an opportunity to get more creative with their photography, as documenting every engine in these large fleets is not as interesting as showing them in their environment -- grinding across mountain passes, speeding across the plains, slamming through snow drifts or traversing deserts in 100° heat. And any deviation from the norm, such as pool power, creates excitement as well.
Occasionally, I get calls from friends with access to the BNSF or UP computers alerting me to interesting power sets that are moving through the Los Angeles basin. Typically, with my luck, these trains arrive after dark or while I am at work. On Wednesday, March 13, 2006, I got a call alerting me to an interesting consist that was due to depart BNSF’s Hobart Yard, just southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The Q-LACMEM1-13 was heading east that afternoon with a colorful consist of BNSF Dash 9-44CW 4503, NS SD70 2528, CN SD70I 5624 and KCS SD60 751. Used to the disappointment of missing these trains, it was a pleasant surprise to discover that this train was due to leave Hobart at 4:30 – the time I head home from work!
If I were to sneak out of work a few minutes early, I might just be able to beat the Q-LACMEM to Santa Fe Springs, where the BNSF’s Transcon line heads north and south for a couple of miles, one of the few spots locally where I could catch this train not coming out of the setting sun.
Just before 4:30, the fun begins. First, a quick check on sigalert.com to confirm that there are no major blockages on the 91 Freeway, then fighting the usual afternoon traffic heading east to my intended rendezvous with the LA to Memphis train with the “perty” engines up front. After hopping off the freeway and to head north, I weave my way through traffic to an area just north of Metrolink’s Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs station. It looks like I will be cutting it close, so I make a call to my friend to have him check on the train’s progress.
When will I ever learn? Trains are never on time! I get to my spot and learn I had plenty of time – the Q-LACMEM has yet to depart Hobart. (Afternoon departures are often delayed because of the parade of Amtrak and Metrolink passenger movements on the line.) I get set up, and wait. And wait. Passing passenger trains show me how the changing shadows are affecting my shot, forcing me to move a few times as they grow longer. I wait some more until, finally, it is too late. Just before sunset, I get another call – the train is finally on the move.
I’d been here an hour or so, so I may as well stick around and see my quarry anyway, since it will be along shortly. I headed up to the grade crossing by the signal bridge and, as the sun passes below the horizon, realize that if I cross the tracks I can pick up some artificial light. With the eastbound signal cleared, I know the train is near. I make a last-minute decision to try a technique I stumbled upon by accident a few years ago – a wide angle pan shot that can create a three dimensional effect, although I had only used it in full sun previously (as on http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=103246). I took a couple of test shots (this is one of digital’s strengths!) and determined that I wasn’t totally wasting my time, and few minutes later a headlight rounded the curve a mile to the north. I steadied myself, held my breath, and made a pan as smoothly as possible as the train passed, pressing the shutter release as I did so.
That evening, when I downloaded the file, I was pleased to see that the photo turned out better than I’d imagined. The colorful consist was no longer the thrust of the shot, but the image had a pleasing, surreal speed effect.
All the preplanning was a bust, and I was forced to improvise. Artistic shots are not to everyone's taste, but I was pleased -- It was just another Dash 9, but the photo was not just another shot.
Copyright © Craig Walker. All Rights Reserved.
This article has been viewed 7380 times.
User Comments on this Article:
Posted by George W. Hamlin on October 7, 2006:
Great shot; well-done story and an excellent attitude: lemonade out of lemons!
Posted by on October 8, 2006:
If I had a few rubber bands and a cup for the drool ... man, what a nice, fine jawdropper.
Posted by Railfan Alex on October 8, 2006:
What a wonderful shot!
Thanks!
Posted by Gregory Weirich on October 8, 2006:
Great photo and excellent story.
Posted by Chris Groeling on October 8, 2006:
Insightful story and nice shot!
Posted by Michael Richmond on October 8, 2006:
Great story and excellent shot. I just almost imagined of me being right there watching the train that evening. LOL!!!
Posted by Ron Flanary on October 9, 2006:
This is just one outstanding photo....simply outstanding. It was well worth your wait...believe me! I agree---digital allows you to do so many things you wanted to do before---but film wouldn't let you.
Posted by Rob Eull on October 11, 2006:
Great shot Craig!
I found my self in the same situation a few evenings ago... Low light and just another GO train led me to take pan shots which came out fairly well for some experiments!
Keep up the nice work Craig!
Rob Eull
Posted by Cheesie 2101 on October 14, 2006:
Wow!Very Impressive!
Posted by Chuck Frey on October 17, 2006:
Pan shots are fun, aren't they? I love the way the out of focus elements of the shot naturally draw your eye to the part that is in focus. Excellent shot!!
Posted by y77825 on October 18, 2006:
Very nice photo.
Posted by John Puda on November 22, 2006:
This is one of the best moving sceens i have ever saw. It is a very cool picture. The raeding is great!
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'Photo Articles,' the stories and insights of particular railroad photographs, are provided by RailPictures.Net photographers and contributors.
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