Well, after the recent international incidents along with some complications in my own day to day functions (unrelated), I have managed to take some limited time to get back to things I enjoy. Here is one of the six new photos I have just added to my website. Enjoy... Location: Woodford, CA Date: 9/28/2001
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by fitz: What's all that haze in my old neighborhood? <hr></blockquote> Well Jim, that haze is pretty much normal during the summer months any more and creeps farther and farther up the hill during long stretches of hot stagnant air than it ever did before. As you can tell, the haze has made it up to Woodford (about 3000 feet), when I can remember it rarely going above Bealville (about 1600 feet). It gets worse and worse every year, and seems to stay longer into fall also. When a low pressure system or storm passes through, it goes away for a couple of days but both (low pressure and storms) are pretty much non-existant in Kern County between May and October. I live in East Bakersfield, and I rarely see the mountains in the summer from my home through the smog and haze. And breathing, well be prepared to chew the air thoroughly before breathing it. Needless to say, I am making the neighborhood Walgreens rich by keeping their asthma medication supply continuously rotating. Sounds like a good reason to move to Oregon, eh... I guess it's the price I pay for being so close to Tehachapi. Hopefully I'll be able to get out after a storm and get some shots without the haze. [ 04 October 2001: Message edited by: Kevin Stevens ]</p>
I have never seen a photo taken at Woodford from that angle before - excellent! The MOW siding is behind the train, right? Does the smog get up to Tehachapi (4000 feet)?
Kevin, Excellent photograph (as usual). I remember the smog quite well when I was there 2 years ago. Keep the photos coming we all enjoy your work.
A few answers to your questions: Rob, the train shown is an irregular train for Tehachapi. It was all empty well cars which I believe originated in Oakland and was bound for Long Beach (maybe symbolled I-OALB). Alan, the photo was taken from a spot about 500 yards West of the water tanks where there is a large clearing between the tracks and the road. Visible in the photo is the old signal tower that used to stand at the location protecting the switch for the spur (which is behind the train, as you speculated). It was my first photo from this location as well, as I usually shoot Woodford from the tanks or from the hilltop pullout visible to the left side of the photo. As for the smog, the Canyon where the tunnels between Marcel and Cable tends to keep the smog bottled up below and out of Tehachapi. Also, there is much more active breezes in the Summit Valley which also helps keep the air clean. [ 05 October 2001: Message edited by: Kevin Stevens ]</p>
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Kevin Stevens: As for the smog, the Canyon where the tunnels between Marcel and Cable tends to keep the smog bottled up below and out of Tehachapi. Also, there is much more active breezes in the Summit Valley which also helps keep the air clean. [ 05 October 2001: Message edited by: Kevin Stevens ]<hr></blockquote> I should have realised that, as there is a wind farm up there
Here is a train headed in the opposite direction on the same track. Kevin must have been standing near where the first few cars are on this train. This shot shows the siding behind the train in kevin's photo.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Alan: Just realised I posted BNSF photos in the UP forum <hr></blockquote> As a qualifier, it is UP track
