Sometimes we luck into amazing images that aren't planned because half of success is just being trackside at the right time. On other occasions, an awesome shot may have required a great deal of waiting,patience, and persistence.
This blog will be shorter and contain fewer images compared to prior posts. It’s about an experience I had last month in getting a shot I had wanted for more than two years.
For most of us, chasing a train in pristine light across a highly scenic main line (like CSX’s former Clinchfield Railroad) and bagging awesome shots along the way is fabulous. That's exactly what I've done for the last couple years when chasing a southbound train from Elkhorn City, Ky., toward Erwin, Tenn., on the Kingsport Subdivision. An afternoon southbound chase will always yield many beautiful images that are easily accessible from the highway. Following a heavy coal drag working upgrade through the Appalachian Mountains will never grow old to me, especially when great shots are being had!
However, a particular shot at a remote location called Towers, Va., has been on my list of “must get” shots for the last two years. The image there requires a commitment to spend an entire afternoon to hike in and get one shot of a southbound train, because one cannot chase and have sufficient time to get into the location after shooting it departing Shelby, Ky., or rolling through Elkhorn City.
I've always been drawn toward chasing a train and getting multiple shots at a variety of great locations, but never committing myself to one shot only. Trains aren't as plentiful on the Clinchfield as they used to be, and one has to make the very best of each train that operates.
On May 20, I finally said "Today is the day I'm getting Towers." I hiked into the location about 1:30 in the afternoon and begin waiting. About 2:45, I heard a scratch on the scanner that sounded like a southbound calling the north-end of Towers. Sure enough, the beautiful river-valley below was soon being filled with the sound of hard working locomotives tackling the steep grade. Seconds later I bagged a nice shot of him crossing the river below with absolutely spectacular scenery.
After looking at the shot and almost leaving the location, I begin thinking that I wouldn't mind trying to get another train with better light. So I made the decision to wait and hope for another move later in the afternoon.
Waiting at Towers is peaceful and calming. There isn't a busy highway within five miles, and all you hear is the sound of rushing water and birds singing. It is just a wonderful place to spend an afternoon enjoying the sights and sounds of nature while waiting for a train.
Hours pass and the sun gets better and better, but still no train. About 5:50 the signal on the north side of the bridge changes to diverging-approach for a northbound. I now know something is about to happen. Minutes later I hear a southbound call an approach signal at north Towers, and before long it comes into view it stops to await opposing moves.
Less than a minute later, the first northbound calls a signal just south of me and soon comes into view. It turns out to be the helpers off the first southbound I had shot almost 4 hours prior! After they clear, the southbound continues to wait as the second northbound gets close.
The entire time the meets are taking place the sun is going in and out, making me wonder how good this shot might actually be, and adding to me growing more anxious to get the shot. Now that the second northbound finally clears the switch, the dispatcher gives my train a clear signal to proceed south. To my amazement, the sun comes out for the first time in over 15-minutes and the train slowly begins creeping forward as two AC44s work hard at getting the heavy train moving. At this point, the time is 6:50 and the sun is just minutes from dipping behind the hills.
Seconds later, the train finally crosses the river below with gorgeous sun as it enters the mountain below me. I'll never forget how thankful and excited I was to get that shot after waiting all afternoon. I can now say I've shot Towers and cross it off my list!
My afternoon was very enjoyable, despite the lengthy wait for the train to arrive in great light. There is nothing like spending time to enjoy the beauty of nature and later getting rewarded with a nice picture.
I hope you enjoyed this blog-post and feel free to leave your feedback in the comment section below.
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