Snow continues to fall heavily in Vermont, though not as heavily as 10-15 miles prior to this photo. This was one of those last second 'hope this turns out' shots, as I had previously looked to set up at two other places prior to this. Having known that the northbound New England Central train 323 departed White River Junction, I knew I wouldn't have a lot of time to set up if my first and second choice locations didn't work. While OK for both of them, I wanted something that wasn't just nose on. I headed for Royalton with the knowledge that it would be tight, but how tight wasn't realized until I pulled in. I pulled two lights from the SUV and the horn blasted for a crossing just 1/4 mile from me. I quickly placed the lights and adjusted the output settings based on prior experience. I got off a warning flash that I also used as a test shot with the crossing lights now activated and the 323 bearing down. I looked at the LCD and half a black screen - crap - forget to drop the speed to 1/250th. Did that and lifted the camera again to see the train entering the crossing. No time to trial another, luck would have to be with me for this shot tonight. As luck had it, this was the 323 moving along at track speed (not slow) as it heads northbound through Royalton, Vermont with SD45-carbody SD40-2s 3475 and 3476 leading SD40 carbody 3478. Two Bees one at 3/4 power, the other at 1/2 power and 1/250th at f7.1 on the Nikon D810. Enjoy!
