thurgoodstubbs Loc: illinois

hope I posted this in the correct forum. has anyone opted to take a train and do photos along the way? im thinking of going on a photo safari within the united states on a train. can anyone give me any input as what camera accessories to take along, where to get good pics of small town atmosphere, and how many days should be scheduled. I consider myself a street photographer. id like to be able to get on and off the train at anytime. I haven't checked with Amtrak to see what they offer yet. seeking advice.. thanks in advance.

steven

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

We took the Empire Builder 3 years ago from Chicago to Seattle. Had a cabin with full window on one side and access to the other side via the hall way. Another great location was the Vista Dome train car, with both sides and above available going through the mountains. Best advise, get a robber hood for your camera so you can put it up to the window to eliminate reflections from inside the train. If you try with a hard hood you will get the vibrations from the train. Shoot in shutter priority @ 500 or above with VR on, and depending on your lens turn on Active instead of normal in VR because the moving and swaying motion of the train.
Duane

thurgoodstubbs Loc: illinois

do you recall cabin cost per night? how long did it take you to get to your destination? is food on train reasonable?

steven

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I recently traveled by train through the Western Canadian Rockies to Portland OR. It was more of a "destination" trip-- so I didn't get off frequently along the way. I have done this extensively in Europe but don't know if Amtrak offers something like a "EuRail"- type pass. My opinion is this: the food on the Canadian rail portion was good; Amtrak, not so much.... Sleeper cars are small-- but comfortable. They are not cheap. Personally, the quality of photographs taken from a train is not good: You are essentially taking a photo through dirty safety glass. The degradation is much greater than you would experience using a cheap, dirty filter. They cleaned the windows in Canada-- but not in the US.

This was my experience.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Getting on and off the train will likely depend on your ticket: will it allow you to get off at a station and get on the next train, whether that be later that same day or three days later?
To get pictures of town atmosphere, you will pretty well have to leave the station and venture into the town, I would think.
You might want to look into vacation packages.
A few years ago my husband and I took a day trip on the Rocky Mountaineer system, here in Canada. About 3 1/2 hours one way, and 3 1/2 hours return.
You may want to look into the direction the train travels: We were on the sunny side of the train in both directions, and I believe I would have been able to take much better photos if we had been on the shady side of the train both ways.
Have some paper towel or piece of cloth and some lens cleaner with you (I used the kind I use for my glasses) to wipe off the window beside you.
I did not use a (rubber) lens hood, as is often suggested, to take photos through the window; to minimize the glare I did make sure I had the camera at and angle to the window. This is where the shady side would have helped, as well.
Breakfast and dinner were included in this trip.
Not a cheap trip to take, but very enjoyable. Would like to take the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper, but that's a lot more expensive. Again though, I believe well worth it.
As to camera and lens, I have a 4/3 system camera and used a 14-55mm lens. Because the trip was through the mountains, I didn't feel the need for a longer lens.
If you get off the train, into the towns, I guess you'd use the same equipment you always use for street photography.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

Do not remember the cost but upward of $200 ea. Check with Amtrack. It took 46 hours, we crossed the 46 paralell, and it was on our 46th anniversary. So it was 4 years ago, as we just returned from Kauai on our 50th.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

thurgoodstubbs Loc: illinois

bear2, looks like you stay busy. thanks for your input.

steven

thurgoodstubbs Loc: illinois

mogul, thanks for the Amtrak website, now lets see if I can navigate it and find out what I need to know. have a great new year..

steven

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

They had three levels of service; relining sea only, a sleeper car with parallel beds to the hall with only a curtain between you and the hall way, and a private room on the second level, which had it's own shower, toilet, and locked door, plus room service. All had access to the vista doom car and dinner. The train stops at stations every few hours and the smokers get out and have a few. Me I got off and photographed all by the stations.
Beautiful trip
Duane

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

In 2006 I shot a number of images while traveling by train in Alaska from Fairbanks to Denali and from Denali to Anchorage. Used Nikon's D70s and the 18-200 lens. The lens had VR. Used the Programmed mode because of the continuously changing conditions as the train moved and to my inexperienced eye all looked ok - not artistic, but ok; still do for that matter. Most images taken from the foyer between cars while standing, some from an observation deck thru glass while sitting.

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I traveled from LA to Portland a couple of years ago (destination trip) on the starlight express. Beautiful country, difficult to get good shots from the train, and if you do not have a travel companion, the bathrooms are small, and the backpack full of gear, I had to carry it everywhere I walked to within the train. All above advice is good.....prepare for dirty windows, even in the observation car, window reflections, and a fast shutter speed due to the train's speed. Most of the stops were brief, but offered some time for shooting around the stations.

philo Loc: philo, ca

I will be going from ca to nev. in march by train. I really enjoy the trip.
Leave my car in their lot (free) and 11 hours later I'm there. No worry about putting on chains etc. Carry my own food.
Have taken a few good shots crossing the Serria (?) but most of the views between towns are not worth taking. Mostly homeless camps and dumps.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Wow! This discussion saved me time, money, and disappointment. I'm dead serious. I've been wavering between a driving trip and a train trip, and you've provided the answer. Let's see, now, Hertz or Avis...

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

Enterprise.........They will pick u up.