Heisler #3 loves the cold. Being a wood-burner, Sumpter Valley's Heisler #3 doesn't normally produce a lot of smoke and steam effects in warm weather. Because of that, she's not always a favorite of photographers who prefer a some exhaust plume in their photos. But when the temperature takes a dive, as seen in this early morning photo, this little gal comes into her own. She produces a turbulent stack plume, as well as a nice trailing dynamo plume, and when starting, the cylinder cocks on this machine really put on a show.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.