Messages

91

Work and Events / Re: 2014 Victorian Christmas (My Photo Album)

« on: December 21, 2014, 11:35:30 PM »

Folks,

I had a grand time yesterday, running around trying to capture all of what was going on.   I suspect that between Stephen, Matthew, Hansel, Brendan and myself, we probably had pretty good coverage of all of the events.   Interestingly, some of the coolest images were captured as the sun was going down and the crew was getting ready for that last run to Alna Center.

I shot a lot of stuff, so rather than tie up a lot of forum space, let me direct to you to my Flickr Page, where you can browse and click on anything that might look interesting to you.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/112261457@N06/sets/72157649879285405/

Once again, the museum crew did an awesome job with this event.   This place is special.   Stuff happens here that happens nowhere else.   Thanks for everything you do for the preservation of this piece of our history, and also for everything you do for the community!

/Kevin

92

Work and Events / Re: Annual Picnic 2014

« on: August 22, 2014, 09:22:33 AM »

Hi James,

I think this is the crossing just south of Albee's Field.  I am sure you folks have a more formal name for it.  Rosewood has fewer shadows at that time of day.....but we shot there last year and I think everyone was looking for something a little different.   The Albee's shot was challenging, because we also had a dark storm cloud to the west that was really messing with the sun.  We did manage to get a couple of run-bys with full sun however, and that did produce some nice stuff.

For comparison purposes, here is the shot from Rosewood last year: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=447778&nseq=7

/Kevin

93

Work and Events / Re: Annual Picnic 2014

« on: August 22, 2014, 08:42:37 AM »

Thank you, Brendan!    I appreciate the comment on my RP page as well!

Sorry I am late with the photos of the event.  My current computer is rapidly running out of space....I have over 90,000 images and the dreaded "DISK FULL" is not very far away.  I have a new machine on order, and hopefully, within a couple of weeks, I will have about 4 Terabytes to work with....which should keep me going for a while.

Anyway, here is a link to a new album on my Fickr page, and a bunch of other photos from the Annual Picnic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/112261457@N06/sets/72157646720970525/

/Kevin

94

Maine Narrow Gauge RR Co. & Museum / Images from Monson #4's last operating day

« on: April 14, 2014, 10:00:12 PM »

Folks,

On 3/29/14, I had the privilege of attending the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company & Museum's farewell event for Monson Locomotive #4.   I remember being up in Portland back in 2002 when the fire was lit for the first time since she came up from Edaville, so I guess it was fitting that I make it up there for the last day.   The MNGRR put on a nice event, and we darn near got it all in before the rains came that evening.  Even in the rain, we got a decent shot or two.   Here is a link to a small album of images that I have posted on RailPictures.net:

http://www.railpictures.net/album/1725/

Looking forward to seeing #7 back on the rails up there, hopefully in the next year or so.

/Kevin

95

Work and Events / Re: 2013 Victorian Christmas pics

« on: January 06, 2014, 11:35:37 AM »

Beautiful stuff, Stephen!   I especially like the one of Bob and Jason.  I am assuming that was the 20mm f/2.8D???   I've gotta get me one of those!

/Kevin

96

Volunteers / Re: Victorian Christmas 2013

« on: December 24, 2013, 12:01:00 AM »

Am I correct in assuming that the light is 52's headlight, and that a power swap has just occurred?

-John

Hi John,

Yes, that is the 52, although I don't recall exactly how it got into that location, given that both of the last two trips were steam-powered.   I know that Jason was planning to start putting equipment away using the 52, just as soon as the last train left the yard.

/Kevin

97

Volunteers / Re: Victorian Christmas 2013

« on: December 23, 2013, 08:39:36 PM »

Kevin, I missed the instant of clear sky that your 3 PM photo caught.

Hi James,

Don't feel bad.  I don't remember it either.   That particular image was a JPEG that I created in-camera, just after taking the shot.   I thought that it was good enough that I didn't bother with the raw image.  I should go back and see what it looks like.   By 3PM, it was already starting to get dark.   When the 4PM train left, I was shooting at ISO 4000 and there was a continuous light rain falling.  I figured those last few shots were probably going to look awful, but I actually like that shot of the last train to AC.

I remember asking someone if there was a thermometer around and the person reminded me of the one on the wall outside the shop.   After the last train headed north, I walked over and checked it, and it was reading 30F.  I guessed that it might be off a degree or two, because there was no ice on anything, but I also took that as a hint that I should probably start heading south.  I did not wait for the train to return.  Fortunately, the roads heading back to MA were just wet on Saturday night.

/Kevin

98

Volunteers / Re: Victorian Christmas 2013

« on: December 22, 2013, 10:07:58 PM »

Here are a few pics from my camera:

Our intrepid locomotive crew for most of the day:


Steam in the snow....how can ya not love it?


First train departs Sheepscot:


And flies past Jayne's Way on the return trip:


Steamy Alna Center;


Where else can a little tike get THIS view?


Even the critters are friendly here:


Bob and Joe carefully approach the platform at AC, where a crowd awaits:


More critters....and horses too!


Jason and Joe disappear in a cloud of steam:


The 3PM steam trip heads north:


And returns:


Getting ready for the 4 o'clock run:  Jason lights up the markers


And JB hangs 'em:


Coupling up for the last run:


The LAST TRAIN OF THE YEAR departs the Sheepscot Platform!


Hope they look OK on your displays...

/Kevin

99

Work and Events / Re: Annual Picnic 2013 and Loco 9 Benefit Yard Sale

« on: September 03, 2013, 06:59:40 PM »

I can't quite tell from the photos....   Is that chain long enough to actually drag on the ground or on the rails?   If so, does it make any noise that might alert the crew that something isn't right?

/Kevin

100

Work and Events / Re: Annual Picnic 2013 and Loco 9 Benefit Yard Sale

« on: August 31, 2013, 07:56:53 AM »

Here's the ground-level view of the run-by at Rosewood Crossing.   There was just enough light left to get the locomotive without any shadows. 

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=447778&nseq=10

I really like the shot.  It's currently my desktop background both at home and at work.  So glad we got there when we did!

/Kevin

101

General Discussion / Re: America's Newest Steam Locomotive: York 17

« on: August 10, 2013, 04:37:45 AM »

Yes, the York has been running for the last week or two.  The issues that SIH has had over the past couple of months have been relatively minor.  They are trying to be cautious with a new (and very expensive) locomotive.  Best to call ahead if you plan to visit.  As with any steam operation, things can happen.  The machine may be new, but the technology surely isn't.

/Kevin

102

General Discussion / America's Newest Steam Locomotive: York 17

« on: August 09, 2013, 12:38:21 PM »

Early last month, I was fortunate to be able to spend 3 days observing, riding and photographing the new "Steam into History" (SIH) operation in New Freedom, PA. This new tourist railroad is operating a brand new, 4-4-0 American Standard, built by the Kloke Locomotive Works in Elgin, IL. The new locomotive is designed to look like an 1860s-era wood-burner, and is loosely based on the design drawings developed by O'Connor Engineering back in the late 1970s for the two engines that firm built for the Park Service's Golden Spike National Historic Site. The "York 17" as she is called, is really an oil-burner with air brakes, and all of the other appliances that the FRA now requires.

The new "York 17" runs on a roughly 10-mile stretch of rehabbed track that was historically part of the Northern Central Railway. The excursions operate out of New Freedom and make a round-trip to Hanover Junction, currently using replica coaches leased from another operation. SIH expects to begin taking delivery of some replica coaches of their own beginning this month.

Obviously, the main attraction of this new operation is the beautiful new engine. Quite simply, there is no other tourist railroad with anything like it. An additional draw is the restored depot/museum at Hanover Junction and the rich history of the place. Abraham Lincoln is said to have stopped there on his way to Gettysburg in November of 1863, and the group has Matthew Brady photos that purport to show the man himself standing on the platform. What struck me was just how sharp Brady's photos were. If the bearded gentleman on the platform isn't Old Abe, he could fool me.

Here is a small photo album of shots that I took during those three days.

http://www.railpictures.net/album/1287/

Click on the thumbnail images for full-screen views. Check out the link that I put on the Hanover Junction shot to see some of the Brady pics. The guy did some amazing work.


/Kevin

103

Museum Discussion / Re: Roads

« on: August 08, 2013, 01:07:29 PM »

Hi Mark,

My rule of thumb at the WW&F is one shot per run.  The advice that the other folks have offered is very sound.  You really cannot chase this train.   Attempting to race down some of the dirt roads will not only aggravate the neighbors, but it will beat the heck out of your car.  Not worth risking either.  

If you park along the dirt road that leads into Alna Center, you can walk in and shoot the switching moves there.  Then, when the train goes north, you can either hike in that direction and catch them when they come up the ladder (headed south), or wait in the field at Alna Center and get them when they come back past the station.   The Alna Center area probably offers more opportunities during one round trip than any other.  It is good in the morning and in the afternoon.   In the morning, the ladder shot is good.  In the afternoon, the ladder area is in shadow and the AC station area is lit.

The WW&F folks do occasionally bring out the freight cars and run an early morning or late afternoon special.   The Annual Picnic announcement indicated that they may do something this Saturday evening.  Any of these special operations are also great opportunities to shoot unique trains in good light.   Look at some of my stuff on RP.net and see what is possible.

Happy hunting!

/Kevin
  

104

Museum Discussion / Re: Wiscasset Airport (For Non-Commercial Flights)

« on: July 31, 2013, 10:55:21 PM »

Yes, KIWI would be your best bet for visiting the museum.   RW 7-25 is 3397x75 with decent RNAV approaches in both directions.   AirNav webpage says rental cars are available.  Also says for short periods, they might loan you a crew car.  

Here is the AirNav page: http://www.airnav.com/airport/KIWI

I recommend giving the FBO a call, and they'll give you the real skinny on what's available.   I've been in there a few times.  It's a nice field and as usual, the Maine folk are friendly.

The former NAS Brunswick (KBXM) is also available and has facilities to accommodate everything up to large bizjets.  You can also rent a car there, but you'd have a bit more driving to do to get out to Alna.

/Kevin

105

US Two Footers / Re: New 2 Footer in Upstate NY?

« on: May 10, 2013, 07:10:03 PM »

The only 2-footer I am aware of in the Utica area is at the Erie Canal Village in Rome.   

When I last visited that area back in 2007, the park was closed.   Although they do have a small 0-4-0T, I don't believe they've run it in several years.   It is my understanding that they also have a small diesel locomotive, and that normally powers the trains.

Here is a link to a shot of the steamer: http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=1523

/Kevin