Autumn and all its glory

Autumn is special time of year for me. When I starting taking pictures in 2002, autumn’s potential for photography was apparent for me. My dad and I started a tradition by attending the Bluefield, W.Va., model train show when I was just five and continuing nine years.

There is nothing better than spending a day trackside with friends in the fall: the cool temperatures, a slight breeze, crystal clear days, and the glow of leaves never fail to disappoint. Some of my best and most memorable days trackside have been in the fall — quality of pictures taken this time of year just improves with the dramatic colors and low light.

Perhaps another reason that Autumn is so special to me is that my birthday is in late November, and especially when I was a kid, gave me another good-reason to anxiously await the season's arrival. ;-)

My Autumn 2013 travels in review:

There are only two words that come to mind when describing October: blessed and fortunate. The variety of trains and locations photographed just astounds me. I'm most thankful to my friends for making it such a special month, and one I'll never forget. I was also able to photograph several Norfolk Southern heritage units, which added even more color to the already colorful season. The Interstate and Lackawanna was no doubt the two I photographed most, as both made their rounds on parts of the former Norfolk & Western starting in late September.

To kick the month off, I made my first ever visit to the West Slope of the Pittsburgh Division in Pennsylvania. I absolutely loved my experience! I wound up shooting nearly 60 trains, and photographing the Lackawanna, Wabash, and Reading heritage units. There was nary a dull moment, and the best part was meeting new faces and making friends.

In gorgeous late evening light, No. 59T marches west, after conquering the stiff westbound climb from Altoona to Allegheny Tunnel in Gallitzin, as the train approaches the Route 53 overpass near Cresson, Pa. The locomotive has just been washed, and the golden light is really making it shine amid all the beautiful fall color that is well on its way to peak.

Only a few days later, I learn the Lackawanna unit is on the point of hotshot UPS intermodal No. 218 en-route to my area. Knowing that is a night train from pretty much Williamson, W.Va., to Lynchburg, Va., I didn't bother with it until its return on counterpart No. 217.

On Oct. 11, I embarked on a chase with a good friend to follow No. 217 with No. 1074 on the lead from Wabun, Va., to Bluefield, W.Va. The picture above depicts the long intermodal train snaking into the yard at Bluefield for a quick crew-change before blasting west toward Portsmouth, Ohio. The Lackawanna unit is still looking good, as little road-grime has affected its appearance. As we railfans like to call them, "sucker holes", definitely worked to my advantage allowing the sun to pop out to illuminate the nose of the locomotive against a darker background.

It's a super cold morning along the ex-N&W, as the intermediate signals at Ingleside, W.Va., indicate a “double clear,” with eastbound intermodal train No. 236 illuminating the structure, as the sky begins to lighten up with sunrise quickly approaching.  The train departed the yard at Bluefield just minutes before, and has about 80 miles to go before reaching its next crew change point at Roanoke.

Even though I shot the trestle at Garwood, W.Va., last fall in peak colors, the view and experience drew me back again to try and capture the spectacular spot with sun.

After several failed attempts at getting a train, I ventured back to the former Virginian Railroad on Oct. 20 (ironically the day I photographed the location one year prior), and got my wish as I passed a eastbound hill-run while driving toward Elmore Yard in Mullens, W.Va. Quickly returning to my location, I began the steep climb from the road below Garwood trestle, to the top of the hill above the tracks and tunnel.

Having just five minutes to make the usual 10-15 minute climb, I barely made it to the top with literally about 15 seconds to spare before No. U85 started across the massive 720-foot curved viaduct. I raised my camera to snap off a few images, then collapsed from exhaustion, to rest a few minutes before climbing back down. I'll never forget the effort put forth in capturing that photo; it will probably go down as being one of the more memorable experiences I've had at getting a photo.

Passing snow showers throughout the night, has left the town of Keystone, W.Va. with a thin layer of white covering trees and buildings in its wake. Soon after sunrise, eastbound No. 776 grinds upgrade through the sleeping community, with NS's Interstate heritage locomotive shoving hard on the rear of the train. Just starting into the stiff 1.4-percent ascent to Elkhorn Tunnel, the move will traverse 15 miles of grade before topping it. The climb will be a slow one, as ice and snow-slickened rail has reduced adhesion levels greatly.

Late fall splendor meets with a heavy eastbound ECP train grinding away at Elkhorn Grade, in the community of Elkhorn, W.Va., itself, with duo of ES44AC's up front, and one in DPU mode on the rear. Fall is officially coming to a close in southern West Virginia, as many trees has been stripped of their leaves, but as one can see, there is still beautiful color hanging on in places.

Conclusion:

I hope you enjoyed this blog-post, and feel free to leave your feedback in the section below. I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving holiday that is quickly approaching, and as always, thanks for viewing!