We won't be chasing, plan to see #4014 and #844 at Ogden station and have a parking pass for May 10 celebration at Promontory. If we happen to see one of the engines on westbound or eastbound, we will stop and look, we know the routes. Only chase we did do was #611 in VA, the day after we had rode with her. Went to a crossing to film her passing and jumped in the car to follow, did pretty good with keeping up until she veered away from us. I was on #844 steam special in 2010 from Omaha to No. Platte and classic diesels on return. Had seats in dome diner and watched many chasers getting stopped by cops. One cop maintained the speed limit and cars were lined up behind him, knowing if they passed they would get a ticket. #844 soon left them all behind. Not worth taking the crazy chances that some chasers do, better to pick a spot and film it passing by.
The following is a post of some thoughts on driving while following the 4014 trip, in response to Jim Wrinn's March 25 piece Planning to see the Big Boy in May?? Let's Talk. In it, he lists some photo locations and how to access them. I chased several steam trips on NS back in the east, both 611 and 1218, all in the 1990's. A number of these were on the ex NKP between Buffalo and Erie/northeast Ohio(a fast piece of railroad), as well as a few in Virginia. I have also been chasing freights for forty years, mostly on the D&H and the Southern Tier, where it was a reasonable proposition for many years, due relatively low trains speeds, mostly in the 40 MPH range, and good chase roads. My chasing is now mostly on the KCS between Joplin and Stilwell OK.
The chase road for the UP will mostly be I 80, which is a very busy stretch of highway, and fast enough to run ahead of most trains. In looking at the schedule UP put out for these trains, it seems the average speed will be in the 30 MPH range for the eastbound moves, not exactly the Portland Rose. I didn't check the westbound, since I can't make that part of the event, but I would imagine it's pretty similar. This should make for easy chasing, but remember, you're going to be on a 75 MPH interstate, with, I think, a 60 MPH minimum. That will make the chase fairly easy, but I don't recommend stopping on the shoulder to grab a photo. Aside from drawing unwanted attention from the state troopers, it's a bad idea from a safety standpoint. The posted minimum will be a lot faster than the train is likely to be moving, so don't be an idiot and try to go 30 MPH on the highway shooting video.
Regardless of the speed, you will have to contend with a large number of other fans, which will pose problems as well, mostly congestion at photo spots, and the usual jockeying for position in photo lines. I rode/photographed a number of fantrips in Jersey in the 80's; it gets pretty intense, and I have seen people almost come to blows fighting over a spot.
Read on....
If I go-I have some scheduling issues that may yet scotch the trip-I'll be in a 26 foot Winnebago, so I'll be self contained: fridge, bathroom, bed, all in one. All I need is a place to park, and I'm good.
For what it's worth, the rest area on westbound I 80 as you enter Utah is a killer shot for an eastbound in the morning. You do need to be able to climb to the top of the mound between the parking area and the tracks for the best view. The schedule I have from UP's website shows them going only as far as Evanston that day, so that will be the last(maybe only) shot you'll get, but will be well worth the effort.
The one thing working in everyone's favor is the 75 MPH speed limit on I 80. I know there will be more traffic out there due to the steam trains, but the trains will not likely be going that fast, and if everyone remembers a couple of things about driving on a multi lane highway, things will move easier.
1. There's a lot of truck traffic on I 80. Use good discretion when driving near trucks. Make sure you have good following distance, and don't cut them off when making lane changes. A truck loaded to max weight will be 80,000 lbs; even an empty truck will be close to 35,000. That's a lot bigger than you, and the laws of physics are strict. Accidents can shut the highway down, and ruin the day for everyone. Even if you don't get killed or ticketed, your chase is over for the day-maybe longer.
2. DRIVE RIGHT, PASS LEFT. SLOWER TRAFFIC STAY RIGHT, YIELD TO FASTER TRAFFIC!!!!!
Caps for emphasis, since this is one of the big issues with traffic flow everywhere, not just a bunch of foamers chasing a steam train. Slowpokes in the left lane cause congestion, which makes accidents more likely. If someone is coming up behind you, get out of the way. If you're in the left lane and other vehicles are passing you on the right, you need to move over.
Keep in mind, this is an interstate highway, designed and built for safe travel at a relatively high speed. There will be a good number of drivers who are unaware of/don't care about the train, and who are mostly interested in making good transit across the wide open spaces of Wyoming to get to Omaha or Denver or Salt Lake, and will be going at a high rate of speed. Poking along on the highway at 45 MPH getting video out your windshield is unsafe on a 75 MPH highway.
Video out your windshield brings up another topic: distraction. As I have noted, there will likely be more traffic than normal, and it runs pretty fast. PAY ATTENTION!!! The train will be a big distraction due to its unusual nature, and even those who are otherwise uninterested will be rubbernecking to see it because of that. Watch for them. Accidents at 75 MPH(or faster) turn deadly in a hurry. Watch out for the other guy, and pay attention to what you're doing. I 80 is a fast highway, and events develop quickly. Momentary distractions make it too easy to get caught in something with a very bad outcome. This is a serious, busy commercial route. It ain't bean bag.
Safety is important because it allows us all to live to see another day-and to see our photos on Railpictures and RRPA. Drive safely, pay attention, let's make sure everyone gets to go home in one piece.
Since someone is bound to ask: I have 770,000 accident free over the road miles, and over two million since 1975 in a variety of vehicles, everything from a Chevy Chevette(remember them??) to 18 wheelers. I know how easy your day can be when things go well and everyone plays nicely, and have also seen some serious carnage.
Go well in advance, scout the best photo locations asking if you will be safe doing it, including location exit strategy. Arrive early at each of the locations, be patient, take a folding chair if it can be managed. Yep, you're gonna have to be both assertive and cooperative in keeping your photo spot. And, ohhh my heresy, consider just watching the events if you're more experience than photo/video inclined.
pme I chased 844 years ago (2009?) from Laramie to Rock Springs. Politely put, what a zoo! First of the engine goes at track speed, which is at or above the posted speed on hwy 30. So keeping up is "challenging" at times. Then you have the pacers to deal with so you have to be willing to pass them while they are trying to get their shots which now will be of the side of your pickup. You can also try and leapfrog (my approach knowing some of the back roads) which worked reasonably for me. Finally my best shots and video were done not from the road, but from pull offs and BLM roads that unless you know the area you would not find easily. That was for the 844. 4014 will be that x100. My thought right now is one special spot I know, go there, camp out and see it go by in both trips out and back. One spot, Video on the tripod, Cameras maybe a 100 yrds down the track to keep the noise down. I will probably handhold one Nikon, and set another on a tripod with a remote set for autofire and a third on another tripod set for autofire. Good luck and enjoy. Sounds about right, I have chased plenty of steamers, here in the East. A littkl more of a challenge out west, since I don't know the territory. But I got Google map and a rail road atlaz and a few days to plan and look for good spots to get a shot. I never hsvh paced a train, no interest in starting now. Thanks for your insights.
I chased 844 years ago (2009?) from Laramie to Rock Springs. Politely put, what a zoo! First of the engine goes at track speed, which is at or above the posted speed on hwy 30. So keeping up is "challenging" at times. Then you have the pacers to deal with so you have to be willing to pass them while they are trying to get their shots which now will be of the side of your pickup. You can also try and leapfrog (my approach knowing some of the back roads) which worked reasonably for me. Finally my best shots and video were done not from the road, but from pull offs and BLM roads that unless you know the area you would not find easily.
That was for the 844. 4014 will be that x100. My thought right now is one special spot I know, go there, camp out and see it go by in both trips out and back. One spot, Video on the tripod, Cameras maybe a 100 yrds down the track to keep the noise down. I will probably handhold one Nikon, and set another on a tripod with a remote set for autofire and a third on another tripod set for autofire.
Good luck and enjoy.
54light15 "One was outside of Philadelphia in a semi-rural area. The property owner got annoyed with a neighbor's kids drone flying over his home day after day after day, so he got out the ol' 12 gauge and blew it out of the sky. Nailed it to his fence where passers-by could see it, too. " It's drone season, as Daffy Duck might have said.
"One was outside of Philadelphia in a semi-rural area. The property owner got annoyed with a neighbor's kids drone flying over his home day after day after day, so he got out the ol' 12 gauge and blew it out of the sky. Nailed it to his fence where passers-by could see it, too. "
It's drone season, as Daffy Duck might have said.
Daffy Duck? I don't know, sounds more like Elmer Fudd's thing...
"Shhhhhhhsh! Be VERWY quiet! We're hunting dwones!"
Miningman So that's why you moved to Virginia. I guess Lady F was tired of bailing you out!
So that's why you moved to Virginia. I guess Lady F was tired of bailing you out!
Nah, I got tired of bailing her out!
The first time the UP sent the 844 over the exCNW, my wife and I went out to a spot east of Boone where a county highway paralleled the tracks. While waiting, along with a multitude of railfans, a car pulls up. It's mom and dad with a couple of kids in the back seat. I figured they were going to ask when the train was due. Mom rolls down her window and asks what's going on. I tell her the railroad is bringing their steam engine through the area. Her response? "Is that something special?" I told her yes, that it doesn't happen very often. She rolled up her window and off they went.
Jeff
54light15Making fun of fun? I did say it was getting interesting. But, about drones- there will probably be a lot of them, don't you think? Don't most railroads ban them from above the right of way?
They ever settle the airport thing? Strasburg is within 5 miles of Smoketown Airport.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Flintlock76Zug's got a sense of humor, trust me! A great one, as a matter of fact.
Sshhhhh! don't tell them that! I like it when I'm taken 100% serious. Because, um, I am. Makes me 20% cooler.
Savage TunnelKind of sad, I'm sure you had a better upbringing than that...
I was raised by a family of raccoons in a junkyard. The sunshine still bothers me to this day.
Shotguns DO work on drones. I know of two instances.
One was outside of Philadelphia in a semi-rural area. The property owner got annoyed with a neighbor's kids drone flying over his home day after day after day, so he got out the ol' 12 gauge and blew it out of the sky. Nailed it to his fence where passers-by could see it, too.
He didn't get in trouble, but a guy in New Jersey who did the same thing DID get in trouble, but only for violating a local ordinance prohibiting the discharge of a firearm within town limits.
Gotta be careful in New Jersey. Everything's illegal in New Jersey.
Wouldn't a shotgun work best on drones? Best get over to Purdey,then. Me, I'd go for a Fokker D7 or my favourite, an SE 5 but I imagine that there is going to be a LOT of drones.
Zug's got a sense of humor, trust me! A great one, as a matter of fact.
Peter mentioned a "...small caliber gun to shoot down drones with."
Hmm, looks like 54light15 might have to change his dream biplane to chase the train with from a Stearman or a Tiger Moth to a Sopwith Camel or a SPAD 13!
Me, I'd want a Fokker Triplane! Hey, good enough for The Baron, good enough for me!
Savage TunnelI think I get it; Zug is so embittered, his real enjoyment is making fun of others having fun. Kind of sad, I'm sure you had a better upbringing than that...
We all interpret the actions and words of others by superimposing our own experiences, feelings and preconceptions on those actions and words. I have always appreciated Zug's sense of humor.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
Good use for a deer stand :)
https://www.cabelas.com/product/hunting/hunting-treestands/tripod-treestands/pc/104791680/c/104783580/sc/104272380/big-game-the-apex-tripod-stand/2536680.uts?slotId=1
54light15 Don't most railroads ban them from above the right of way?
Don't most railroads ban them from above the right of way?
Yes UP bans drones directly above the right of way, although I'd expect plenty of drone photographers will be flying besides the right of way outside UP's controlled air space all the same! (Not to mention those who won't follow the rules...)
Making fun of fun? I did say it was getting interesting. But, about drones- there will probably be a lot of them, don't you think? Don't most railroads ban them from above the right of way?
zugmann 54light15 Oooh the snark! This is getting interesting! Nah, that's not snark in the least. Savage tunnel will probably have a good time with the 611, and who knows.. maybe I'll even go.
54light15 Oooh the snark! This is getting interesting!
Nah, that's not snark in the least.
Savage tunnel will probably have a good time with the 611, and who knows.. maybe I'll even go.
3 rides and 5 chases of 611 since 2015, but October will be 1st time on the engine, and yes it's been fun, even after I tore a heel ligament at Villamont,VA.
I poke a little fun at myself and you take a shot at everyone in the hobby?
I think I get it; Zug is so embittered, his real enjoyment is making fun of others having fun. Kind of sad, I'm sure you had a better upbringing than that...
If you had a dollar for every look the video people gave you when flying one around, I'm sure it would be quite affordable.
You might have to keep it above 500ft AGL, but I'm sure there's military grade camera equipment that would fix that problem, too.
I have thought for some time that the ideal vehicle for following trains would be the Sikorsky S-97 Compound Helicopter. It has a top speed of 300 mph. I haven't checked the range but I'd expect it would be adequate. Contra-rotating rotors to allow high speed and a pusher propeller to provide the speed.
A couple of high quality cameras (at least one video and one still) mounted in turrets under the nose.
All you need is permission to fly low enough to get the photos you need.
You would of course require both a pilot and a systems operator (photographer).
It might be necccesary to have small calibre guns to shoot down drones that get in your way....
In fact, the S-97 would be good for everyday railfanning allowing you to take advantage of interesting sightings in neighbouring states.
Not all of us could afford the cost. I have no idea what it would cost even if it were in regular production.
Peter
I think it a few good pictures of the train, the events in odgen will be worth a bit of bumbling, since this will be the event of the decade.
"Old, fat, and balding..."
Hey listen, the May 2019 issue of "Classic Toy Trains" has an add on page 6 for portable oxygen concentrators, complete with a picture of a happy male customer sashaying along with one slung over his shoulder.
OK, I understand the stereotype of toy train fans being "...retirees and their parents...", but come on now!
54light15Oooh the snark! This is getting interesting!
Oooh the snark! This is getting interesting!
Savage TunnelIt's no biggie, you just play the role of a foamer-hating, somewhat embittered modern day railroader so well. Smile, Wink & Grin
Just somewhat? I have to work on that. I'm going for full-blown embitterment.
230pm Columbus day. May have to give me a better description than old, fat and bald. Probably describing like 95% of the attendees with that.
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zugmann Savage Tunnel In that case, there will be no chance of you coming around Strasburg and the 611 this fall? After reading your posts for the last 6 years, is there anything about this hobby that you DO enjoy?! I enjoy how people are so concerned with how I enjoy the hobby. So thank you. Maybe I'll come to Strasburg in the hopes of meeting you. Reading my posts for 6 years? I feel internet famous! It's nothing against the engine; I'm not a fan of huge crowds.
Savage Tunnel In that case, there will be no chance of you coming around Strasburg and the 611 this fall? After reading your posts for the last 6 years, is there anything about this hobby that you DO enjoy?!
I enjoy how people are so concerned with how I enjoy the hobby. So thank you. Maybe I'll come to Strasburg in the hopes of meeting you. Reading my posts for 6 years? I feel internet famous!
It's nothing against the engine; I'm not a fan of huge crowds.
It's no biggie, you just play the role of a foamer-hating, somewhat embittered modern day railroader so well. BTW, at 2:30pm on Columbus Day I'll be the old, fat, and bald guy up in the cab of 611 blowing the whistle with a big grin on my face. If you come by, you can take my picture, lol!
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