larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I'm attending a convention for a railroad history and modeler's group this week. In order to protect the guilty, I'll not tell you exactly where we are, at least not just yet. (Yes, the railroad knows that we are here.) Today, we were doing several activities, and ended up early afternoon at a community depot still being used by Amtrak. That depot is being renovated by a community group, using money provided for the purchase by Amtrak, and they wanted to show off their work to us. They are doing a great job, and are saving the railroad a bunch of money in the process.

Their depot was built in a time when the trains actually slowed down when passing through town. Now, even though it is an active passenger train stop, freight trains pass through town (and past the depot) at 70 mph. The loading platform is small, as was typical of small-town depots, and the front of the building sits less than 12 feet from the nearest rail of the main line. That's great for getting on and off the train, but a pretty tight squeeze for doing the train watching and photography which we were invited to do. I found a spot behind a small fence (which was still way too close to the track) and waited for the first train to pass. The wait wasn't long, because the trains were running less than 10 minutes apart today.

Here's my effort at the first and only train that came past us at a full 70 mph, with horns blaring for the road crossing that was just a few feet behind me. I evacuated my spot as soon as the train was safely by, and watched subsequent trains in both directions from a much more discreet distance inside the depot. This is a JPEG just as it was shot. Unfortunately, I did a little bit too good a job on the exposure and didn't capture anything that would give you a clue about just how fast and close things were and how much wind the whole thing created as it passed by. I did have to chase down and recapture my hat after everything passed and settled down. Please note that despite the lead locomotive, this was not anywhere on the Norfolk Southern railroad. They tend to underpower and underspeed their trains and create a much less memorable experience for their railfan photographers.

By the way, this was taken with a D500 and a Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 G ED lens that I bought through NikonUSA's refurb sale last month. I'm going out with it tomorrow on my D850. Exposure is 1/400 at f/10, ISO=100, 38mm. I did not have back button focus enabled, and I was not shooting in burst mode. Not sure what the benefit would have been, since there was actually one chance to get this shot. There was no filter on the lens...haven't gone and bought one yet.

(Download)

Stephan G

The reason for the secrecy is that they are bringing in the 2023 car models.

EJMcD

If that train was traveling at 70mph when that photo was taken, I would not be anywhere near as close as the people in the image. Of course if your lens was zoomed to 120mm (compressing the distance somewhat) it would make them appear to be closer than they actually are. I'm also surprised that at that speed and close distance 1/400 was sufficient to freeze the motion.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

No tricks. I was also surprised at no evidence of motion. I was behind a fence, but it was way too close. I left immediately after. Others stayed.

EJMcD

Are you sure it was traveling at 70mph at the time it passed you? How was that determined?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

We had railroaders with us who were in contact with the crew. Even without their update, there was no doubt.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Norfolk Southern trains tend to go through our area at at least 50mph. I do wish they would go somewhat slower so they would be more memorable; often the rail cars I am most interested are past before I realize they are here.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I’ve found that I need at least 1/500 - perhaps even 1-750 - to freeze motion at those speeds, but perhaps the sharp angle ‘saved’ this particular situation.