People - The element that makes it all happen.

[Peirce]

My thought in starting this thread is two-fold. One, this is a salute to all the men and women who are out there every day making it all happen. Secondly, I have seen model railroad layouts that lack life because people are not included. I hope this thread also gives some good ideas for depicting people on our layouts.

http://images2.fotki.com/v2/photos/4/41513/84114/006_THIS_IS_A_TRUE_BUMPER-vi.jpg

So, here is the kick-off picture for this thread.This is Danbury Railway Museum volunteer Bill Britt painting a bumper built by the Hayes Company.

[ 11. January 2004, 14:28: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[John Whitby]

I agree Peirce....we all need people.
Here are a few photos from my collection.
http://website.lineone.net/~swissrail/460_sihl03.jpg
Trackworkers keeping the Swiss railways running like clockwork....in all weathers.
http://eurosport.ifrance.com/trains/46229_1.jpg
The long arm of the law !!
http://eurosport.ifrance.com/trains/5407.jpg
The old style signalman.
Best wishes,
John.

[Alan]

Good idea for a topic, Pierce smile.gif

Excellent and varied photographs John. Will have a look through mine and see what I can find>

[Peirce]

Thanks, Alan. This is also a challenge to myself to go out and shoot more pictures including railroad people.

John, excellent pictures.

[slynch]

Here's the mail pick up going westbound at Patchogue, NY LIRR circa mid-1950's. Interesting details and anyone venture a guess on the year based on the cars in the commuter parking lot?

I'll submit 1954 to start it off!
<img src=http://www.nyandw.com/images/mailatpatlirr.jpg>

Best,
Steve Lynch
http://www.nyandw.com/lirrcontents.htm
www.NYandW.com (http://www.NYandW.com)

[slimjim]

There are a couple of 1955 Chevy's in the photo. The white one in the foreground and a two-tone one across the street.

[Gregg Mahlkov]

That's not a mail pickup in the LIRR photo, it looks like it's the Conductor picking up train orders! :cool:

[watash]

That's probably the only mail a conductor is going to get, isn't it? :D

[Gats]

Thanks Pierce, I'm one of those people out there.

John, the photo of the Swiss trackworkers - have they skis? Love the signalbox shot. The way it used to be... smile.gif

Gary.
Signal Maintenance in 1:1

[John Whitby]

Gary,
The shot of the steam special passing the Midland Railway signal-box was taken in 1983 but I'm pretty certain that it still exists although I imagine the old signalman has probably retired by now :D
I might be wrong but I can't see Railtrack paying out for a re-signalling project on such a lightly used line.
I think the Swiss trackworkers would welcome a little of your Aussie weather at times :D
Take care,
John.

[Peirce]

There are still a lot of manual switches out in the world, and there always will be. So, people are needed to operate them, as shown here.

http://images2.fotki.com/v2/photos/4/41513/84114/024_MANUAL_SWITCH_MACHINE-vi.jpg

[ 11. January 2004, 14:30: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[Alan]

Good picture, Pierce smile.gif I had a look through one of my albums today, but not one photo included people :eek: I cannot think why I have omitted this very important element!

I know I have some so will look them out. One thing is sure, from now on, I will make a point of including railroad personnel when photographing trains smile.gif

[Peirce]

I have to admit I shot this picture after I started this thread. In a way, I put out the challenge to myself as much as to others. I will have other pix coming, but I want to see what the rest of you can do with this theme.

[Alan]

Here are a couple of photos of one of the regular drivers (engineers) on the Nene Valley Railway, a preserved line near to where I live.

The locomotive is a Nohab built 2-6-0.

http://www.alancurtismodels.com/trainpeople3.jpg http://www.alancurtismodels.com/trainpeople4.jpg

[Alan]

Have we run out of "people pics"?

The Severn Valley Railroad. A preserved line which has a boiler shop, and does boiler work for its own locomotives, and locomotives from other owners.

Here is a guy tapping holes for staybolts in a firebox. He looks quite a character, and certainly has a LOT of holes to tap!
http://www.alancurtismodels.com/trainpeople2.jpg

[watash]

Alan, when you are assigned the job of tapping stay-bolt holes, or climbing inside and bucking rivets from inside the boiler, or chipping rust on the outside, time eventually passes, because it all pays the same.

The thrill of working for the railroad fades rather quickly when you are the new hire and all new hires get the privaledge of being "dust man" shoveling soot out of the smoke box while someone else operated an air hammer on the outside. You come out the first days with your eyeballs looking like lemonds on a "One Arm Bandit" (Slot Machine)! It is like standing in a huge bell and haveing a jack-hammer pounding on the outside! I am hard of hearing now from that. :D

[ 19. December 2002, 15:50: Message edited by: watash ]

[John Whitby]

Guess who's been sorting through those old shoe boxes ?
I took this shot about 40 years ago with my trusty old "Kodak Brownie"
It shows a gang of rail workers changing the face of my local station for ever. The guys with the crane are removing the crossover turnouts linking the up and down mainlines whilst the ones in the foreground are disconnecting the turnout rodding. Shortly afterwards the sidings and signals were removed and the signalbox was demolished. All that remains today are the two mainlines and the high level footbridge. This bridge is known locally as the "Rickety Bridge" and has a sleeper (ties) decking through which the exhaust from the steam locos used to blast. Many a young lady was caught unawares by the blast from a heavy freight :D :D
http://eurosport.ifrance.com/trains/frod.jpg
Ahhh !! Happy days.
John.

[Peirce]

Great picture. Rich with history along with our salute to people.

Peirce

[Alan]

Here is a driver 'oiling round' a saddle tank locomotive at the Cottesmore industrial railway. This preserved line only operates small locomotives previously owned and operated in private industries, like coal mines, iron ore workings, etc.

http://www.alancurtismodels.com/trainpeople5.jpg

[John Whitby]

Great photo Alan of a tedious but essential job. I think us Brits have really taken to this thread as I have just found another suitable photo taken at Derby in 1982.
The London bound train (45102)has just had a crew change and the drivers are either discussing the state of the loco or the previous Saturdays football match :D
Note the railfans at the end of the platform.
http://eurosport.ifrance.com/trains/47513.jpg

[Charlie]

if those BritRail drivers are like typical
engineers(drivers)anywhere, they are most likely
discussing the football game, or overtime, or the
status of the extra board......

[Alan]

Here is another important member of staff. The "bobby" or signalman smile.gif

http://www.alancurtismodels.com/trainpeople6.jpg

[John Whitby]

Alan...Is this the famous signal-box originally modelled by Airfix in OO scale or does Oakham have more than one box ?

[Alan]

Yes John, the very one! I believe they also the footbridge, and station canopy as prototypes for models as well. smile.gif It is a good-looking station with the curved platforms, and a beautiful station building.

[Peirce]

Alan, John,
Excellent pictures of railroad people at work.

Here is one of an engineer (driver) at work at the Danbury Railway Museum. I get a kick out of the way he always is dressed the way we would expect an engineer to look. Here, he is at the controls of the museum's Alco RS-1.

http://images.fotki.com/photos/4/41513/84114/027_DRM_engineer_Skip_Kern-vi.jpg?1012247533

[ 29 January 2002, 13:53: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[John Whitby]

I agree Peirce. Although I have very little experience of U.S. railroads this is exactly how I would expect an engineer to dress.....have I been watching too many Hollywood movies ? :D
Alan's shots on the Nene Valley Railway in the U.K. also show how serious our museum volunteers are at dressing to create the right atmosphere. A rail museum just isn't complete without this attention to detail.
John

[Alan]

That engineer certainly looks the part :D

But the ones I have seen out on the road, just dress in everyday clothes - shame on them :D

[NSBrakeman]

Now we dont all wear everyday clothes! I still have the flannel when its cold, as well as the denim overalls and genuine Levi's cap!

Dave

[Alan]

This was taken on the Severn Valley Railway. A splendid preserved line in the midlands. Picture taken from our coach window, as we passed a train waiting for the road at a passing station.

http://www.alancurtismodels.com/trainpeople1.jpg

[John Whitby]

Here's a photo for all "Thomas the Tank Engine" fans. Yes.......It's the Fat Controller :D :D
I don't know if this photo counts in this thread but it shows yours truly pretending to be a loco driver on the Llangollen Railway a few months ago.The loco is an ex-Great Western Railway pannier tank and despite it's small size it had a healthy appetite for coal as my aching muscles proved.
Dont laugh too much :rolleyes:
John
http://eurosport.ifrance.com/trains/P1010016.jpg

[Alan]

Good to see you John smile.gif

Reminds me that I once drove a pannier tank from Cardiff General station to Canton shed, at 3 o'clock in the morning :eek: It was the station pilot, with a very friendly crew! They then persuaded the shed foreman to let us look around the shed! Great days smile.gif

[Peirce]

Welding is another important skill needed to keep both old and new equipment running properly. Here, a little repair work on the frame of the Danbury Railway Museum's RS-11 is begun. Mike Miciukiewicz is preparing the area for welding in a new section. This may be counted as the first step along a very long road to restoration for the old New Haven 1402.

http://images2.fotki.com/v2/photos/4/41513/84254/015_WORK_HAS_STARTED_ON_RS-vi.jpg

[ 11. January 2004, 14:22: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[Peirce]

Trains will go nowhere without the people to refuel them.

http://images.fotki.com/photos/4/41513/84114/040_REFUELING_THE_RS-1-vi.jpg?1012581980

Although Epson is otherwise a good site, they have failed in their promise that linking to individual photos would work. I will get this fixed soon, one way or another.

[ 02 February 2002, 02:04: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[Martyn Read]

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2117860&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
Another couple from the UK....
21st July 2001 The driver of Virgin's 47747 "Graham Farish" waits for the road as another Virgin summer Saturday train arrives in Paignton.

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=619250&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
GMD built 66215 at Lostwithiel in Cornwall, the secondman is standing in the cab door to collect the single line token for Fowey from the signalman (behind me on the platform).

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2117934&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
Royal Mail workers load a northbound mail train under the magnificent roof at York station, 29th August 2001.

Interesting this, people give the pics more scale, and more life, nice thread & I shall see what else I can do with these.
I'll have to see if any of my US pics qualify :D

[ 26. December 2003, 11:30: Message edited by: Martyn Read ]

[Martyn Read]

Okay, found a couple of US ones...

http://mysite.freeserve.com/uploadpics/diesel/NS9530_Conway_Sep00.jpg?0.6486639889658317

Crew change at Conway yard PA, Sep 2000.

http://mysite.freeserve.com/uploadpics/diesel/KBS315_IroquoisJcnIL_Sep00.jpg?0.3298281993787151

Switching with Alco's on the KB&S at Iroquois Jcn IL.

:D

[ 26. December 2003, 11:52: Message edited by: Martyn Read ]

[Martyn Read]

pls delete

[ 26. December 2003, 01:04: Message edited by: Martyn Read ]

[Colonel]

It is great seeing people who keep trains running other than seeing just locomotives or rollingstock.

You never know I might just post a picture of me working on the railroad although there might be some people here who claim i have never worked at all :D

[Alan]

Martyn, those are excellent pictures smile.gif I must get out with my camera more!

Good to see some great photos from the far reaches of the UK! :rolleyes: :D

[Martyn Read]

Okay, I think this is about the last one i've got "net-ready"
This is a place called Goonbarrow which is the passing place (and some kaolin dries) on the Newquay branch in Cornwall, most of the year the brance is worked by single car MU's, but on summer Saturdays it gets through HST workings from as far away as Edinburgh!!!
I was returning from Newquay on the first train of the day, an Edinburgh bound service & we were looped at Goonbarrow to pass the second train of the day (from London). The picture shows the Goonbarrow signalman taking the single line token from the FGW driver, it's a busy couple of minutes for him as he needs to deal with our trains token as well!

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=799769&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

[ 26. December 2003, 00:54: Message edited by: Martyn Read ]

[Johnny Trains]

To use an expression a famous "YANKEE" has used for 50 years, "HOLY COW!"
What wonderful pics from both sides of the Big Pond!!!!!!!! :eek:

I had to chuckle though when I saw the expression on the gasoline truck driver's face as the diesel loco was being fueled.
He looks mesmerized! LOL! :eek:

Johnny Trains
NYC
:D

[Hytec]

It is interesting to note the difference in dress between the drivers of the Graham Farish and the NS freight :eek: Y'all appear to have some very professional looking drivers in the UK :cool:

[Martyn Read]

Post privatisation most (all?) traincrew/customer service folk have got very smart uniforms specific to the company they work for. I would think that's Virgin Train's corporate workwear you're seeing there. smile.gif
They have a nice red jacket to go with the tie as well :D But it was a warm day (despite those clouds.)

Glad you enjoyed.

[Peirce]

Martyn,
Your point about having a sense of scale and a more dynamic picture when people are included in a picture is very important. In other fora (on other sites) where I critique photos, I have often made this point.

Although the photography aspect should probably be discussed in detail on the Photography and Trains forum, I will add one point. To avoid the "touristy" look, try to have your people look at your main subject, or be doing something.
Standing stiffly and staring into the camera always seems awkward to me.

Keep those pictures coming.

[ 11. January 2004, 14:23: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[Martyn Read]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> Although the photography aspect should probably be discussed in detail on the Photography and Trains forum, I will add one point. To avoid the "touristy" look, try to have your people look at your main subject, or be doing something.
Standing stiffly and staring into the camera always seems awkward to me. <hr></blockquote>

Guess you're talking about the Paignton pic mainly, the chap had just spoken to the signalman & was walking back to his cab & noticed me taking the pic as I took it & reacted......a little unfortunate but it happens. ;)

[Peirce]

Martyn,
I wasn't trying to pick on any one picture. I just wanted to emphasize this point for any newcomers to photographing the railroad scene. The pictures from you and everyone else here are excellent and, I believe, go to the heart of railroading.

[Martyn Read]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that, it's just something that had bothered me a little about that pic. redface.gif

[Xingman]

First time trying to post a photo on here, but here goes. Not to toot my own horn, but here I am with my favorite part of the job.http://home.internetcds.com/~xingman/workpics/semclimb.jpg

[Colonel]

Always great climbing signals on a nice day not real good though in heavy rain or frost lol. The other week I was investigating a SPAD (Signal passed at danger) and whislt I was in a cage of a signal gantry I was climbing out of the cage to the top of the gantry. My mobile phone was clipped to my belt well my arm brushed the phone and it fell of my belt through the signal cage and hit the tracks below.
The phone stayed in one piece (Nokia 5110) but it never recovered, oh well i now have a 6210 Nokia so I'm not complaining hehehehe

[Martyn Read]

Nice pic, nice signal too :D

ATB

[Peirce]

Excellent picture. I hope we will see more from you.

[Xingman]

Thanks for the compliments. I'll be around.

[rush2ny]

I usually don't take pics with people in them (If I can avoid it) but here is my contribution:

<center>"Waiting to Throw the Switch"</center>
http://hometown.aol.com/rush2ny/switch.jpg
Russ
Hoffman Valley RR (N-scale)


[ 19 November 2001: Message edited by: rush2ny ]</p>

[Peirce]

Good picture, Russ. I believe it is better with the person in it because it gives you a sense of scale. Somehow it also seems to emphasize the power of the locomotive.

[rush2ny]

Peirce, I am going to have to agree with you on that. After browsing the pictures in this forum I now realize that I have been missing out on some great pics by trying to get only the object of the picture into it, ie: locomotives,etc.
While I will not refrain from isolated photos of equipment in the future (These are great for roster archives) I will be trying to make them more "lively". (Moving my photography into a new direction if you will)
My only question to you then would be this: have you or anyone else on this board encountered any problems taking pics with people in it, like persons who just didn't want their mug's in print? I almost always ask permission when taking pics on property other than my own, but would like to avoid any situations where I may upset someone. Thanks!

http://www.trainboard.com/sigbreak.gif
Russ
Hoffman Valley RR (http://rush2ny.users5.50megs.com/hvrrpage.html)
http://hometown.aol.com/rush2ny/logo.gif

[Peirce]

I have never had any problems including people in my pictures. There are a few guidelines you can follow to avoid problems.

Never use any of the pictures commercially.

Use only those pictures that show the people in a positive and complementry fashion.

Show the people doing something. They should never look posed.

Make them aware you are taking pictures. However, obtaining specific permission is not manditory.

Offer them copies of the pictures, or give them access to them on the web. Web access saves you a bundle of money for reprints.

Actually, when you boil it all down, common sense and good taste should prevail.

[ 11. January 2004, 14:01: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[Peirce]

I believe I have completed the link repairs for my pictures in this thread. If I have missed any, please let me know

[Peirce]

As important as it is to recognize the people who keep the trains running, we must also recognize those keeping the memory of bygone days alive. Such is the case with Peter Cornwall.

http://images.fotki.com/v3/photos/4/41513/91164/petec14-vi.jpg

L. Peter Cornwall is an historian, author and photographer. This is at the opening of an exhibition of his photographs taken of New England Railroads in the 1930s. The exibition opened at the Danbury Railway Museum on February 17, 2002 and will ran until late summer, 2002.

[Peirce]

We were returning to London on the Eurostar when it stopped to await a clear track into Waterloo station. I spotted the track workers on the job in spite of the rainy weather. This picture was taken through the window of our coach.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/peircebehrendt/abq.jpg

[ 11. January 2004, 14:11: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[Alan]

Thanks Pierce. With the state of some of our infrastructure, there are plenty of track workers to be seen these days!

[Peirce]

Here are a couple of pictures closer to home. This crew is working on the Metro North track near the Danbury Railway Museum.

Replacing spikes the old fashioned way. Here, old spikes are being pulled out.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/peircebehrendt/abr.jpg

New spikes are being driven in, about the same way as 100 years ago. No fancy equipment on this job.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/peircebehrendt/abs.jpg

[ 11. January 2004, 14:18: Message edited by: Peirce ]

[Alan]

In these sort of jobs, there always seems to be one person working, and the rest watching :rolleyes: :D

Interesting pics of an important chore, Pierce.

[satokuma]

Xingman likes to play with his signals...here he is teaching Signals 101 at CORPMEET 2002. Having people in photos adds interest, scale and realism..
http://members.aol.com/satokuma/images/rickperry)signals101.jpg

[Peirce]

I agree. Although I have seen many great railroad pictures without people, there is that dynamic extra when a person is present. The caution is, of course, the people must not looked posed, even if they are.

In your picture, you have accomplished the unposed look. Moreover, your picture fits this topic excellently by demonstrating the importance people play in running a railroad.

[Peirce]

After the day's tourist run, the crew of the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad's GP-7, number 777, are bringing the loco over to the service area.

http://images2.fotki.com/v21/photos/4/41513/229870/GSMRCrew-vi.jpg

[Peirce]

Earlier that same day - The GSMR engineer is returning to GP-7, number 777, after stopping to give the passengers and crew a lunch break alongside the Nantahola River,in the western part of North Carolina.

http://images2.fotki.com/v20/photos/4/41513/229870/GSMRWoods-vi.jpg

[Peirce]

This engineer is at the controls of a GP-9, owned by the North Carolina Transportation Museum.

http://images2.fotki.com/v21/photos/4/41513/224636/Engineer1-vi.jpg

A close-up of the control stand.

http://images2.fotki.com/v22/photos/4/41513/224636/GP9Controls-vi.jpg

[Peirce]

Here are two essential Amtrak people. A conductor (r) and a car host are boarding passengers in Washington, DC.

http://images2.fotki.com/v21/photos/4/41513/225870/Boarding-vi.jpg

[Peirce]

I'll bet you have more material for this topic. You have had all summer, and then some, to gather it.

[Alan]

Good idea to resurrect this topic Pierce. Hopefully pics can be restored to get rid of the dreaded red "X" in several posts. Probably several were on the old railimages.

[Martyn Read]

Okay, my red X's are fixed on this thread, and here's another for the collection!

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=714302&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

Shot on the 28th June, at Bletchley. Electric 87003 'Patriot' has suffered a failure. Happily one of Virgin's 'Thunderbird' diesels was close by, and 57305 'John Tracy' soon turned up to take the train forward with only a small delay.

The driver is just swapping cabs on the diesel, whilst the train's conductor readies the connections on the front of the electric.

[Peirce]

Alan - I believe you are correct that many of the red "X" occurances are because of the old Railimages.

Martyn - Thanks for fixing your collection of red "Xs," and adding more pix as well.

Everyone - Please let me know if you find any of my pix missing. Most of the time I can repair, or revise the link.