dieseldave Loc: Davenport,IA

I have been shooting a series of train photos, and would like to try some at night. Some of the area I am looking at is beside a fairly well lighted park, so I should be able to get those OK. What I also want is a train from the front in the dark. Anyone have ideas on hows to get that without having the headlight blow everything out? What kind of filter and camera settings?
Thanks

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

If you have not already done so do take a look at the photographs of O Winston Link.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=o+winston+link+images&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=pqK7WbnwFOzv8AfiuYDgAg

It might also be worth looking at this

https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/tips-techniques/travel-photography/lights-locomotive-action/

To do it well needs a lot of work as you can see.

stevesf

You may already know about this site, but from the front page, you can select Night Shots from the Type drop-down in the search menu, center bottom. Some of the photographers explain their shots, but I have also asked them how in the comment section of each photo.
http://www.railpictures.net

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Keep in mind that railroad tracks are private property that belongs to the railroads. If you are on the tracks you are trespassing.
Being on the the tracks is also dangerous, there are many tripping hazards that can cause injury or death, this danger only increases at night when visibility is low.
If you are injured or killed while on the tracks your health and/or life insurance may not cover you because you are participating in an illegal activity.

dieseldave Loc: Davenport,IA

il will be well off the track

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Dave--

You will find that the light from locomotive headlights is in a tightly focused beam. (Steam headlights are a little less tight then diesel headlights.) In general, if you are photographing from a safe location, headlights are rarely a serious problem. I have rarely seen an attractive photograph in the locomotive is perfectly "head on" to the photographer.

An exception can be the "ditch lights" on modern locomotives. Those are the two lights mounted lower down on the front of the locomotives. They sometimes have a slightly wider focus and are directed a little more to the side, rather than perfectly forward.

And in many circumstances, when the train is stopped, especially when meeting another train, operating rules require that the headlight be dimmed, which results in its having a very pleasant glow which can add to your photograph.

Another very valuable safety tip, which you probably already know, is to always "watch for the other train" while you are photographing your main subject. And for all who are following your post, Rule #1 is to never step on any rail. Doing so will almost certainly get you removed from the property immediately, even if you have previously been given permission to be there. The tops of rails are very slick, making the likelihood of slipping off and either falling or spraining an ankle very high.

Good luck, and stay safe.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Light painting!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/light-painting-101
http://www.diyphotography.net/painting_with_light/
https://digital-photography-school.com/beginners-guide-to-light-painting/
https://lightpaintingbrushes.com/pages/light-painting-tutorials
https://digital-photography-school.com/light-painting-part-one-the-photography/

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Maybe from an overpass....

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Wow that is great work! Thanks for posting.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yeah, he did some amazing photography, but he also put a tremendous amount of work - and light - into each shoot.

https://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/when-steam-locomotion-ground-to-a-halt/

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Interesting!