philden Loc: Victor, NY

A while back I went out to capture the fall foliage and went to one of my favorite spots: The Moodna Viaduct is an iron railroad trestle spanning Moodna Creek and its valley at the north end of Schunemunk Mountain in Cornwall, New York, near the village of Salisbury Mills, NY. There were three photographers there with their cameras and tripods obviously with the same intent as I.

After setting up next to them and taking a few shots, I noticed that they weren't taking any pictures, however, they each had a mug of steaming hot coffee and were chatting away. "Where the hell did they get mugs of hot coffee out here?", I wondered. Seems an enterprising young man had been selling them coffee that he traipsed over from his house across the road! I couldn't resist and bought a cup and asked the gentlemen why they weren't taking any pictures.

Turns out they weren't photographers, per se, they were train buffs waiting in the cold for the steam locomotive to come up from New Jersey to pass over the viaduct. I just so happens that the old steam locomotive was taken out of storage and hooked up to a passenger train only twice per year and these guys knew it was scheduled that day. Talk about luck! My coffee was delivered and after 45 minutes sure enough you could see the smoke above the trees off to the left. It traversed the viaduct in less than a minute with all of us snapping away. Serendipity at it's finest hour.

This photo has been published a number of times and one night, a few weeks later I answered the phone and talked to an elderly gentlemen who would like to buy a print. We discussed size and price, etcetera. Then I could hear him softly crying. I waited and then he told me that his father was the engineer on that locomotive many moons ago and he used to ride along with him when he was a young boy! I was really touched.

Sometimes being a photographer has it's special moments.

Steam Locomotive

davefales Loc: Virginia

Indeed. Nice one.

mbdaines Loc: Sarasota FL

Wow! What a touching story that gives special meaning to your beautiful shot!

philden Loc: Victor, NY

Thank you both for your comments.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Excellent photo and even better story!

philden Loc: Victor, NY

Thanks!

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Beautiful scene.

philden Loc: Victor, NY

Thanks, Photophile.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Wow Phil!! A great story and an awesome shot!!!

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Beautiful indeed!!

philden Loc: Victor, NY

Thanks Erv and rlaugh. Appreciate it.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Phil - Do you know the name, or the number of this steam engine? The man who wanted a photograph would definitely know.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Nice capture Phil.

EKatzman

That is so touching. And i know that many of you here on the HOG are prof. and shoot for $$ but this is one print that i would do for free, or only for the actual cost of the print maybe.

philden Loc: Victor, NY

Nikonian72- I don't know the name of the steam engine and the man who requested the print has since passed away. However, I would imagine a little sleuthing into information about the locomotive that travels from NJ to Port Jervis, NY and back only twice a year should be available on line. It travels along the Hudson River on the East side up into Orange County. Hope that helps.