Tag: trains

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Trains in the Snow

Winter brings a special challenge to both railroads and railfans. While the elements can take a toll on a photographer who ventures out into the cold, the images can be totally worth the effort. There is definitely something about a blanket of snow covering the ground that gives train photos a special look. Here are a few of our favorites…
Iowa, Chicago & Eastern SD40-2 #6430 plows through a snowpile at a grade crossing in South Dakota
The calendar says it's Spring, but Mother nature says otherwise. On April 26, 2008, Iowa, Chicago & Eastern SD40-2 #6430 plows through a snowpile at a grade crossing in South Dakota, on the DM&E main line.
CSX iron ore train rolling through the snow taken from the Grade Road bridge at Martinsburg, West Virginia, on February 14, 2014
On February 14, 2014, an eastbound hopper train is curving beneath the Grade Road bridge at Martinsburg, West Virginia. This is most likely an iron ore train, as evidenced by the reddish tinge on the cars and most eastbound coal trains here are loaded. The track off to the far right is the General Motors plant lead. The next photo was taken at the same location with the power, C40-8W #7774 and SD70MAC #4535, heading away from you.
CSX iron ore train rolling through the snow and heading away from you as it rolls beneath the Grade Road bridge at Martinsburg, West Virginia, on February 14, 2014
The westbound Capitol Limited, led by Amtrak P42 #88, kicks up powdery snow at the Point of Rocks station
Amtrak’s eastbound train #30, the “Capitol Limited,” is skating past the historic former B&O station at Point of Rocks behind a pair of stalwart P42DC’s on December 20, 2009. The sun is shining today, but most of the train’s route through Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland was pummeled with two feet of snow the day before, Photo by Alex Mayes.
In early 1988, a New Jersey Transit GG1 is plowing snow at Long Island City, New York
Who needs a plow when you’ve got a streamlined electric behemoth to ram its way through the drifts? In early 1988, a New Jersey Transit GG1 is making a dramatic trek into Long Island City, New York. Kodachrome by Bill Myers.
Delmarva Central diesel locomotives at the engine facility in Harrington, Delaware
Delaware was targetted by a substantial snowfall early in 2022. On January 4, 2022, a collection of Delmarva Central diesels, including MP15's, GP38-2's and a former Western Maryland SD40 are sitting in the serving facilty at Harrington.
Two Yorkrail GP9's and a Maryland & Pennsylvania (Ma & Pa) GP7 power westbound RJ-1 near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania.
Two Yorkrail GP9's and a Maryland & Pennsylvania (Ma & Pa) GP7 power westbound RJ-1. The train uses the former Western Maryland York Branch, which meets the WM main line at Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania, just ahead. This branch paralleled the PRR’s Frederick Branch from York to Hanover. Yorkrail #1754 and 1756 are former B&O GP9’s #6490 and 6486. Just before Reading was absorbed into Conrail, Ma & Pa acquired the 621 and renumbered it 86, then to 1506 after the merger with Yorkrail.
Erie Lackawanna Fairbanks-Morse H24-66 #1860 accelerates through Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, in February 1969
Erie Lackawanna Fairbanks-Morse H24-66 #1860 is laying down a trail of white smoke as it accelerates through Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, in February 1969. The brick building to the right is the 104-year old freight station that was razed in 1971. Erie’s grand two-story passenger station was reconfigured into offices and housed a YMCA in 1903. It was saved from the wrecking ball and in 1982 was converted into the “Starrucca House,” a hotel and restaurant. Kodachrome by Dave Augsburger.
Conrail train entering Allentown yard at R Tower in a heavy snow during February 1979 behind SD40-2 #6465, a B23-7 and a GP8
From the windows of Allentown's R Tower, Mike Bednar caught this photo of Conrail BJ-4 entering “R” interlocking from Sayre in February 1979 behind SD40-2 #6465, a B23-7 and a GP8. The 18-inch snowfall is making a mess of things.
Union Pacific C44-9W and two SD70M's power a westbound intermodal train around the big s-curve at Rock Springs, Wyoming, on December 23, 2008
There is a light dusting of snow covering the western Wyoming landscape as an intermodal train approaches Rock Springs from the east on December 23, 2008, behind C44-9W (ex-CNW) #9797, SD70M (ex-SP) #3984 and SD70M #4091. Both the Union Pacific main line and Interstate 80 make a big sweeping s-curve as they enter town.
Norfolk Southern office train charges through the snow at Cove, Pennsylvania, on the former PRR main line near Harrisburg, behind F9 #4271
Snow fell very early across central Pennsylvania in 2011. Two days before Halloween, the Norfolk Southern office train charges eastbound through the snowstorm at Cove, Pennsylvania, on the former PRR main line near Harrisburg, behind their beautiful matched set of F-units.
Canadian Pacific SD40-2 #5660 with westbound freight train rolls through Grandview, Michigan, in the snow
Canadian Pacific SD40-2 #5660 heads through Grandview, Michigan, at the end of a winter storm. CP has trackage rights across Michigan on CSX's former Pere Marquette main line.
Central Railroad of New Jersey F3 sitting in the snow at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
After a moderate snowfall, the restored Central Railroad of New Jersey F3's are seen on home rails at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania on December 11, 2005.
Amtrak P40 #816 leads the eastbound Capitol Limited through an s-curve in the snow
Amtrak P40 #816 leads the eastbound Capitol Limited through an s-curve near Martinsburg, West Virginia, on a frigid Valentines Day in 2014.
Canadian Pacific SD40-2 #6027 switches cars in the former Milwaukee Road Nahant yard near the Quad Cities
On December 26, 2009, Canadian Pacific SD40-2 #6027 switches cars in the former Milwaukee Road Nahant yard near the Quad Cities.
Icy steps on a Reading & Northen diesel on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Snow might be great for railfan photography, but for the train crews that have to deal with it, plus the ice, the wind and the cold temperatures that go with it, winter can be very trying. These icy steps on the Reading & Northen SD50 assigned to the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, are a clear illustration as to just one of the many hazards they have to face during this time of year.
Two Norfolk Southern container trains passing each other at the west portal of the tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on the former PRR main line
On March 5, 2008, two Norfolk Southern container trains pass each other at the west portal of the tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on the ex-Pennsy main line. The train on the left is actually coming towards you -- those are helpers on the hind end of the train. Notice the gigantic icicles that have formed inside the abandoned tunnel on the left.
Amtrak F40PH #212 with a passenger train rushing through the snow in southwest Michigan
Amtrak F40PH #212 leaves a trail of snow in its wake on its way to Chicago as it heads west through rural southwest Michigan.
Conrail B36-7 leads a train through the snow on the former New York Central Water Level Route
A Conrail piggyback train led by B36-7 #5059 is approaching a grade crossing on the former New York Central Water Level Route during a lake effect snow squall in the mid-1980's.

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New England Classics Volume 1 railroad book
New England Classics Volume 1

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Norfolk Southern’s Toll Bridge!

Railroad photo of Norfolk Southern Train Crossing Christina River at Wilmington, Delaware, on Shellpot Branch using Bridge 3
Norfolk Southern Train Crossing Christina River at Wilmington, Delaware, on the Shellpot Branch using Bridge 3

Bridge 3 in Wilmington, Delaware, is a place where modern machinery meets vintage architecture every day. This is Norfolk Southern’s Shellpot Branch (former PRR), which connects the Northeast Corridor with NS and the Delmarva Central lines heading into southern Delaware via the New Castle Secondary, which can be seen diverging off to the right side of the photo. This light engine move, consisting of C40-9W #9333, has just turned on the wye and is about to cross the swingbridge over the Christina River on its way back to nearby Edgemoor Yard. The Pratt through truss bridge was originally built in 1888 and taken out of service by Conrail in 1995 after 107 years of use. Since the Shellpot Branch was a bypass, freight then had to run right through the Wilmington passenger station! Norfolk Southern sought state assistance to rebuild the structure, and it was placed back in service in 2001. To repay the grant/loan NS must pay a toll for every railcar that crosses the bridge until 2021!

man wearing A Railroad Life hoodie sweatshirt with ALCO 628
A Railroad Life Hoodie
girl wearing LVRR ALCOs with train in Lehigh Gorge tee shirt
ALCO's in Lehigh Gorge T-Shirt

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Railroad Maps

CSX Railroad Train Running Alongside West Virginia Route 9 with Railroad Maps heading

When I am planning on traveling to a specific area, the first thing I do is get out the highway and railroad maps that are relevant to the area I’m interested in. I prefer to take a “top-down” approach when determining where I want to go railfanning.

The first book I turn to is the classic Rand McNally Road Atlas to get a general look at the area. Since I prefer to drive, rather than fly, I get a lot of use out of the two-page spread that shows the entire country. Once I get a good look at the area, it’s time to get out the U.S. Railroad Traffic Atlas that was produced by Harry Ladd. The data is dated, but it still holds pretty true to get a general sense of the traffic density in the area. Sometimes I want to find the busiest main line, and other times, I want to explore a lightly used branch line. This interesting book of railroad maps also shows the locations of engine terminals at the time.

Detail of U.S. Railroad Traffic Atlas Railroad Map
Detail of U.S. Railroad Traffic Atlas, copyright Harry Ladd
Steam Powered Video Prairies East Ozarks-Iowa-map-ddetail
Detail of the same general area from the SPV Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America for comparison

After getting the general layout, it’s time to open up the DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer for the state that I’m interested in. This is a book of maps that gives great detail for both roads and railroads. In cities, you might be better using the Rand McNally Road Atlas (or a state-issued map with urban blow-ups), but for all other places, you can’t beat the DeLorme Gazetteer to find and follow the railroads. It shows lots of smaller roads, and many of them are named, although some just show a numerical designation that matches up with the small white plates you see along the road. This is a tremendous research tool, as it shows both a detailed look at both the roads and the railroads together. It is also an invaluable aid in railroad photography, as you can see which way the roads and railroads are oriented in order to get the optimum sun angle. While giving this a good looking over, I might find some interesting rail lines that I am unfamiliar with. Now it’s time to get out the book of railroad maps published by SPV, their Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America, that is split up into different states and regions. Not only does it show great detail, but it also shows trackage rights and previous owners. If I find an interesting line, I will go back to the Railroad Traffic Atlas to get an idea of whether it still sees service, keeping in mind that the information is dated. The SPV atlas might even show some other branches and abandoned lines that I might want to explore, so it’s back to the Gazetteer to see what I can follow.

I’ll admit that I am a big fan and user of maps of all kinds, and using this combination of railroad maps and road atlases has allowed me not only to get some great photos at locations that I would have otherwise never found, they have been invaluable in doing railroad archaeology, where I’ve been able to trace where the track used to be. I’m also able to use them to add locations to older slides that I’ve taken and didn’t write the location on the mount. By looking at the other slides in sequence and figuring out generally where I have been, I can use these railroad maps to pin down the general location and then zero in on the exact location using the DeLorme Gazetteer for that state.

CHECKLIST FOR CAR:

DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer
Rand McNally Road Atlas
U.S. Railroad Traffic Atlas
SPV Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America
State Map (pick up at a rest area)
Amtrak timetable

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Publishing Lost Images

B&M Boston & Maine GP9's crossing Deerfield River at Hoosac Tunnel, Massachusetts
One of the goals of The Railroad Press is to preserve images that have been otherwise lost to time and the environment. We make every effort to present images as the photographer saw them through his camera lens at the time. Pictured above on the left is an example of an Agfachrome slide of a beautiful scene taken by Jay Winn that looked great when it first was developed. It was sharp and was composed very well — but over the span of decades, the slide faded and experienced significant color shifts, plus mold had grown on the film. We cleaned it up and printed it as shown on the right in The Railroad Press Magazine, bringing back the Boston and Maine blue to its original glory! We want to give our best to both the photographers who went to the effort to capture these images and the readers, who have been kind enough to purchase our publications and deserve a high quality product. Through the printed page, we’ve been able to preserve thousands of transparencies so future generations can enjoy them.