For Colorado rail fans, July is always a fun time - it's when UP runs excursions between Denver and Cheyenne, and this year 844 is running between the two cities. Today was the first move to get the train in place for the official excursions on Saturday. I'm a bit of a newbie (okay, a lot of a newbie), and this was my first time doing actual rail-side photography. I had my 3 little girls with me, so I dared not get as near the right of way as I would have liked, but it was a great learning experience (light, size of subject, etc.) I definitely have a *lot* to learn, but here's my first go at documenting my love of the rails - and in the end, I don't think I did too poorly (especially with a little cropping help). But what a great locomotive to practice on! These first three images were taken south of La Salle, CO and north of Platteville, CO: This next shot was taken south of Fort Lupton, CO. 844 had slowed to a crawl to pass a MOW crew doing crossing upgrades, which is the only reason the girls and I were able to catch back up: While UP steam is heavily photographed, it was a totally new experience for me. I enjoyed it so much that I'm going to hit the road early on Saturday to catch 844 (hopefully multiple times) and she goes from Denver to Cheyenne. Guess I'll see if I have any luck!
ajmott, you did a great job! And it sounds as if you may have caught the disease that I have enjoyed since 1991, steam fever. Nothing like big mainline steam to get people of all ages excited. Thanks for posting those shots. May I ask what equipment you are using? :tb-biggrin:
ajmott - Welcome to world of railfanning! I think that fitz was correct in his diagnoses. You appear to be infected. :tb-wink: Keep the great photos coming. Ben
You've done a great job. I envy your three girls, will you adopt me? I even cook and do laundry....:tb-err:
You may not have been as close to tracks as desired, but it's safe where you were. Those camera angles are very good. Boxcab E50
Thanks for the feedback, all! As for the camera I'm using, it's a Canon EOS XTi. I was in such a hurry to grab the camera and get out of the house, I'm not even sure which lens I had on it. I did spend Saturday chasing 844 from Denver to Cheyenne. The only place I stopped for pictures, though, was Carr, and there were probably about 20 other railfans out and about. I need to process the RAW images and then I'll post what I got in Carr.
My old stompin' grounds... Man, I miss it. Even if I were there, it wouldn't be the same without Lynn Nystrom. I miss you, my friend. *snif* Thanks for sharing!
Nicely done! It looks like they've got a DD40AX on there, too. I have two little girls and they help keep me honest and safe when we're railfanning together. I was never super risky, but I definitely think about possible hazards with even more thoroughness now that I have two young kids, both for their sake and for mine.
