Through The Lens 108 – Yellowstone

The recent cold snap had me thinking about the coldest weather I’ve experienced. It was -31°F the morning we went to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and it was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen.  Clear blue skies and the air shimmered with tiny ice crystals floating.  Its hard to believe it was ten years ago.  It seems like I was just there.

Through The Lens 105 – Williamsburg Christmas Decorations

We’ll stick with the Williamsburg Christmas decorations this week.  While many of the decorations are elaborate, using a wide range of materials, some of my favorites like the one in the photo above are the simpler ones.

Through The Lens 104 – Colonial Williamsburg Christmas

Another from the archives.  A few years ago, a snow storm hit Williamsburg in late December.  It was after Christmas but before they take the decorations down in January.  It was an easy decision to make the four hour drive in the snow for this photography opportunity.

Trip Report – The East Broad Top 2017

The East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company, located in Rockhill Furnace, PA is a place where time stands still.  The railroad, touted as one of the oldest and best preserved railroads, operated from 1871 until it closed in 1956.  The EBT was then purchased by a salvage company who eventually decided to operate a portion of the railroad as a tourist line starting in 1961. While operations ceased in 2011, the Friends of The East Broad Top have continued to lovingly restore the structures that make up the Rockhill Yard and Shop Complex.

When visiting it’s not hard to feel like you have traveled back in time a half century or more. So, when my friend and fellow photographer, Matthew Malkiewicz announced that he had secured access for a small group of photographers to visit this past January, I jumped at the chance to participate.

I arrived shortly after sunrise, hoping to get some shots around the yard in early morning sunlight. Unfortunately it was cloudy, but it had been several years since I had been there so found things to shoot despite the less than optimal lighting.

Moss Covered Coal Hoppers:

Moss Covered Wheels:

Wheels

A Pair of Switch Stands – notice the glove, most likely left by the last person who threw the switch, waiting to be picked up again, just like the line waits for operations to re-start:

The Three Way Switch – a very rare occurrence on railroads.  There are only two others that I’m aware of.

Once the rest of the group arrived we headed into the Roundhouse for two hours before breaking for lunch.

Locomotives Waiting:

Journal Oil Can:

Oil Can and Cobwebs:

Oil Can

After Lunch we moved into the shops complex for a couple of hours.

The Blacksmith Shop – Not many people have been in this building.  The columns rotted over the years resulting in a severe tilt to the building that was repaired in the last few years.

Blacksmith Shop

The Foundry:

Crucible

The Machine Shop was full of scenes, large and small:

Zanol Cocoa – Quality First:

Quality Cocoa

Light:

Boiler Shop:

You could spend days in a place like this and never run out of things to photograph. I hope to get to spend more time at the East Broad Top in the future.

Through The Lens 64 – Tank Creek

Here’s one of my favorite photos from a private photo charter on the Durango & Silverton back in February 2011. 478 pulls a mixed train along the Animas River at a location called Tank Creek.  In the background just before the tracks curve out of the frame, you can see the water tank that gives this location its name.

Through The Lens 63 – Fairview Farm Sunrise

Another from the archives. Sunrise at Fairview Farm along the Strasburg Railroad during a Lerro Productions photo charter in February 2013.

Through The Lens 62 – Snow Plow

Black Horse Cut

A year ago this weekend I stopped to photograph the Strasburg Railroad on my way to a photo charter on the Reading & Northern.  Shortly after I arrived I saw Strasburg’s Russell Snow Plow heading out of the yard. I went straight for a cut hoping for deep enough snow to capture the plow at work.  Fortunately I guessed correctly.

Through The Lens 58 – Fountain Flats

Fountain Flats

As I’ve mentioned before, I had the privilege of attending the first DLWS trip to Yellowstone.  Fountain Flats was our first stop of the first morning. The contrast between the steam and snow vs the silhouettes of the bison made for a great black and white image.

Trip Report – Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 734

This past February I attended a photo charter at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad hosted by Lerro Productions.  The charter included a full day of photography on the railroad plus a night session at Cumberland Station.  With 734 almost out of operating days before a required major rebuild, the charter sold out quickly as many photographers wanted to spend one more day with one of their favorite locomotives.  As it turns out, due to a landslide on the line a couple of weeks after the charter, this would be the last time 734 ran all the way to Frostburg.

After lunch the clouds rolled in, so rather than shoot in poor lighting, a couple of us elected to head back to the caboose and ride with the brakeman for the rest of the afternoon.  This turned into a portrait shoot since this particular crew member takes great pride in accurately dressing the part for these photo shoots.


  

Finally, 734 was parked in front Cumberland Station for one last night session before her rebuild.  What made this on unusual is that she was turned facing East when most night sessions had her facing West to take advantage of the water spout at the other end of the station.

It will be a few years before 734 is running again since the railroad is focusing on restoring C&O 1309.  Current reports indicate that the WMSR’s “new” steam locomotive will be running next year.  As always in the world of steam preservation, “it’ll be done when it’s ready.”

Through The Lens 30 – Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 734

734 simmering at Cumberland Station while waiting for permission to proceed down the line – or more accurately, 734 is parked at the station for a night session during a photo charter hosted by Lerro Productions this past February.  Stop back next Tuesday for the trip report.