Most people are aware that railfans are commonly referred to as "foamers." It's considered a pejorative term to describe someone who gets so excited about seeing a train that they foam at the mouth. I'll never refer to myself as a foamer, but when pressed on the matter, I might own up to the possibility of being one. I prefer "railroad photographer."
But last Sunday, I was a foamer. Santa Fe 3751, a steam locomotive built in 1927 (the same year my parents were born) was used to pull an excursion train from Los Angeles to San Diego and back. I carefully calculated the number of times I could catch up with, and photograph, the train. By the time train passed my camera at Torrey Pines, I had managed to catch it in 5 different locations.
This required a small amount of NASCAR-like activity on my part.
However, contemplating the return journey of the train, I decided to return to "railroad photographer" mode. Consequently, I carefully looked around the Torrey Pines Bridge and settled on a position that seemed to offer the most promise in terms of composition, light angle and historical interest. As news of the train's delayed departure from San Diego reached me, I began to worry that the light would deteriorate completely, no matter what its angle. I also began to question my sanity for waiting so long for a single image.
Finally, I heard of its departure at 6:05, and figured it would take 45 minutes for the train to reach my location. Just as I could see the train's headlight in the distance, the sun broke through the gathering clouds. The historic bridge and the locomotive's smokebox "went electric."
I'm glad I waited. But six hours for one photograph? I guess I'm still a foamer.
Images from the entire day
This required a small amount of NASCAR-like activity on my part.
However, contemplating the return journey of the train, I decided to return to "railroad photographer" mode. Consequently, I carefully looked around the Torrey Pines Bridge and settled on a position that seemed to offer the most promise in terms of composition, light angle and historical interest. As news of the train's delayed departure from San Diego reached me, I began to worry that the light would deteriorate completely, no matter what its angle. I also began to question my sanity for waiting so long for a single image.
Finally, I heard of its departure at 6:05, and figured it would take 45 minutes for the train to reach my location. Just as I could see the train's headlight in the distance, the sun broke through the gathering clouds. The historic bridge and the locomotive's smokebox "went electric."
I'm glad I waited. But six hours for one photograph? I guess I'm still a foamer.
Images from the entire day
4 comments:
I'm sure one of the only reasons I can look at that picture and say "Wow!!! That is amazing!" is the fact that I wasn't there, having to use some bush for a bathroom or something! That is really a beautiful photo :), who would have thought that one day I would enjoy a story like that? (Safely on the other side of it, of course!)
6 hours for one photo..boy Dave that brings back memories of shooting the Milwaukee Road! Nice work old boy!
Thanks Martin. The one difference of course was the fact that I had about eight passenger trains roll by while I was waiting, but I'll gladly accept any comparisons to your work on the Milwaukee Road.
best photo of the whole 3751 Flustercluck I've seen yet. Great composition, wonderful light, and real combination of elements from a common era.
Hoo-ray!
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