Once in awhile I'll chase a train but the method I prefer is to spend a lot of time with one of the online mapping services to identify a number of sites along a line and figure out the sun angles for morning and afternoon. On the day of the hunt I'll get to my first spot of interest before dawn and set up. Since I've got a choice of CSX or NS mainlines the traffic, as one other poster noted, is a matter of - don't like this train well, just wait a few minutes. I'll take one or maybe two trains at the first spot and then move on to the next one. Once I've bagged my limit for the morning I'll make side trips to locations on the map I haven't actually seen and if I like the looks of the setting I'll either set up and wait some more or just take a picture looking either way and note the location on my crib sheet for future reference and move on. Most of my shooting is on the weekends and I'm at the point where I have a reasonable sense of train timing on both of the roads for certain parts of the route. I just make a rough extrapolation for train time at other locations based on what I do know and, in general, that degree of precision is enough to allow me time to set up and compose at a new site before the arrival of the next train.
Since the docs won't let drive, I sit n wait and even that don't happen very often anymore. So I end watching the trains go by from my trainroom window or back yard
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
I shoot video and if I am really trying to get good shoots (not just out messigng around with the kids), I will typically pick a spot and stake it out all day. I will move maybe a mile or so in each direction to vary the shots and get the right ligthing, but usually I don't chase. Of course there are the times where I am just driving a line to find good locations; in those instances I have been known to chase a train or two (but I always stop when I see the state line ).
CLICK HERE FOR THE CSX DIXIE LINE BLOG
eolafan wrote:With gas costing $3.45/gallon I will sit and wait, thanks very much.
Roger that.
I rely on serendipity. Most of my railfan opportunities occur when I am doing something else. I know where the active lines are in my area and just keep an open eye on them. That is why I prefer railfanning in the west - with wide open spaces - rather than more tree lined areas. When I see something of interest - I just pull off the road for a bit - sometimes even go exploring. However, I have been know to take the long way around because I know that route pass some interesting trackage.
dd
Ed's "third way" of sharp-shooting is what I do, too. Turn scanner on at home and then dash down to the tracks for a shot.
CSX near me uses the ATCS radio "code-line" so I've often thought I should get set up for that so I wouldn't have to "dash" so fast...but I have too many other things to keep me busy. Maybe someday....
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
I dont devote time to going out and watching trains.
However, I do have the scanner on at home and if I hear something interesting, if I have time, and it is sunny then it is off to the tracks for a quick photo.
Ditto work. I drive, primarily around Chicago, but also NW Indiana and Northern Illinois/Indiana and the camera is always with me, as is a portable scanner. Hence, a large number of "grab" shots.
ed
Being a life-long Chicagoan, camping out in one spot quickly became the norm because I rarely had to wait too long for a train, starting out at Burnham Crossing (within walking distance of home) in the late 1960's.
Currently, when I get a day for train-watching, I'll generally spend the morning and early afternoon at one spot. The rest of the afternoon will be engaged in checking out nearby yards and engine facilities. I've never actually chased a specific train.
I'll sit and wait
I can sit at one spot and see 5 to 10 trians in 2 1/2 hours plus the gas is to high and speed limt is sometimes only 35mph.
Ted M.
got trains?™
See my photos at: http://tedmarshall.rrpicturearchives.net/
Depends - Am I just trying to get my fill of trains, or is there something special I'm trying to document?
If I'm working our trains in Utica, or shopping at the Mall in Syracuse, I'll just hang out and watch the parade (and maybe catch a picture or two).
Last summer I chased one of our trains just to get some specific shots.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
For me, self-protection is the key, especially since 9-11. I try to be as incognito as I can, and prefer that train crews don't know I'm around.
Super paranoid, out of control, Union Pacific train crews are notorious now (at least in my book) for requesting police or special agents. You may have a legal right to pace a train at speed, but with UP, I save myself much trouble by just turning away after 5 or 10 minutes. It is almost as if crewmembers have AK47's hanging out the windows with the intention of blowing away railfans!
I couldn't believe, at one Midwest location, for days trains were repeatedly going over at speed soil-shifted track that was very much out of alignment. Even the track was flaking apart. I said to myself, if stupid railroaders with seemingly AK47's in hand, are NOT watching the tracks in front of them but calling police on railbuffs (like they did with me), they deserve it if their train derails! After a week, I left, and undoubtedly a track inspector eventually spotted the problem, as I never heard of a pileup.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
we usually go to deshler and wait. we also follow the tracks closely too on the way over and back.we always find trains on the way home.When we were with carl the bnsf had some trains come through and the dinkys were running fast too.(saw 2 amtraks coming in to chicago too on the way)
stay safe
joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
Dan
CShaveRR wrote: (Eat your heart out, Ric--my wife and I were dining at our favorite barbecue spot, and in the hour we were there we encountered two scoots, and seven freight trains.)
(Eat your heart out, Ric--my wife and I were dining at our favorite barbecue spot, and in the hour we were there we encountered two scoots, and seven freight trains.)
I know. Three of us spent a few days along CSX in NY and Ohio in 2004 and then hit Horseshoe Curve and Galitzin on our way home. Wow. Don't like the train, wait a minute.
Seriously, I think that would depend on whether you like your location better, or the specific train.
I'm not a photographer, so there's no question for me: just sit and let them come to me. (Eat your heart out, Ric--my wife and I were dining at our favorite barbecue spot, and in the hour we were there we encountered two scoots, and seven freight trains.)
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Sit and wait...that is priceless. I wish I had that luxury. With only one scheduled daylight general merchandise, one early evening intermodal and an east and west passenger train through the rest of my awake hours, I try to make the best of it by chasing. I do look at Google Earth a few days in advance and see if the lighting would be good for certain areas of my trip and how to get to them and back on the road quickly. If I do find myself with time to kill I usually look for rolling stock at industries to shoot.
One day, four of us piled into a TDI Jetta and ended up doing around 600kms (around 360miles) following two trains. I also had another 300kms round trip to get to the starting point and back home that day. Needless to say I was beat.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.