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[bluepuma]

I like to just watch, see what loads are being carried, see the various car types, the types of locos running, makeup of trains. I tried inexpensive digital cameras, but they couldn't store pictures fast enough, by the time one picture was stored, the next was lost. The other problem was how many 640x480 images could be stored, quality, clarity.

My wife found the Canon EOS 7 ad in Trains Mag., bought me a EOS Rebel Ti SLR which is the good Camera I wanted since my first in '59 or so, my birthday present, Christmas present, etc., it takes great pictures, auto focus works like I dreamed, and takes several frames per second continuous mode, 3.5fps. Went to Rochelle to try it out, got lots of decent pictures of trains, had them printed, put on digital disk as 768x1536 or so. The picture taking mars my enjoyment of the moment, watching the trains, but then I *DO* have pictures for later study. Can look at them close up, cut the image down, share the cropped or downsized images.

Taking pictures is work, watching trains is fun - low stress and living in the moment, enjoying without stressing about the image, junk in the foreground, background, looking for a place to park while driving to get the proper picture. Better to just store the images in the mind, or compose with a tripod, snap as it comes. I'd like trains in a better setting than the railroad park, zoom lenses able to get the images I want from places I can be. I do Mendota, BNSF lines at the Miss. River, UP at the River, swing bridge. Like the rolling stock, tank cars, containers, my fave is Mitsui OSK Lines with the Japanese Sea Monster with the container on his(her) shoulder, made me smile when I lived near Long Beach California, saw those on trucks or perhaps at our warehouse doors while working at Pioneer or Hitachi. Now, the Korean shippers have containers, China, so the scene is changing from '73 to now.

There are pictures I want to get, but will have to wait for them, will have the camera with me. More likely to take pictures of buildings, stations, along line factories. I've learned to appreciate structures more since becoming interested in modeling, esp. the old trackside structures of Illinois, as opposed to things built in So. Cal or Arizona since the 50's. If I lived in Phoenix, would go to Flagstaff or Gila Bend for BNSF or SP/UP for major traffic. Here, I can do 3 BNSF lines, UP, Iowa Interstate, Norfolk Southern, CSX to Bloomington/Normal (Mitsubishi car plant) with only 1-2 hours drive
from I-80. I want to ramble Chicago next.

[Anonymous]

I dont take video but i always have my camera and most of the time i catch trains at crossings so i have my tape recorder ready for the horns.

[yellowducky]

3 thoughts and greetings:
[?]zachar--hi, do you have any pictures of Moffat tunnel, Winter Park, or there abouts? My wife's grandfather was a mule skinner on a construction crew for the tunnel.

[:(]JoeKol--no, haven't seen it in Garrett, but I'll drive by the west end of town, out Altona way. Sometimes they park equipment out in the middle of the yard, out that way.

[^]bluepuma--I agree about picture-taking being work, and train watching FUN! Even if I take a camera with me, I mean like hanging on a strap on my wrist, I forget to snap pictures! FDM

[rojanes]

Just finished a run that included Tehachapi, UP action on the former SP line along the Salton Sea, and some time gaping at the fast BNSF action at milepost 662 in Amboy, CA.... I always lug my camera gear and shoot as many photos of the action as possible. At Amboy, local had four Santa Fe Units, in blue and yellow, including a GP-30, and they were newly washed! Should make for a great photo for hanging... In California CHPs stopped by to find out why I was standing trackside with a 'big' lens on my camera.... Nice conversation, and glad they are on the 'security' ball!

[steveblackledge]

When i visit the US in the near furure i WILL be videoing and photographing everything that moves (trains that is) i am a BNSF fan and a model railroader . I take the kids out with me on saturdays to see the trains, they love it. if you want a peek at my local area go to http://www.burgess57.freeserve.co.uk/railways.htm .This guy is Brilliant he's out everyday with camera in hand. You can watch short video clips and see photos updated daily.
steve UK

[Anonymous]

Nowadays I usually take a camera with me, just in case something interesting rolls by. I'm kicking myself for not having photographed C&NW units in yellow and green while I still could!

[rich747us]

I started shooting video back in February 2003. Before that, I just watched. I've been a railfan since I was 4, and with everything I've seen throughout my lifetime (I'm 22) there's alot of it I whish I could have gotten on tape.

[Anonymous]

To go railfanning without taking some pictures is next to criminal if you ever want to remember what you saw. To just enjoy the fresh air and the sounds of the day is actually quite relaxing, but the photos will bring back the sounds of that special day to enjoy once again.

[Anonymous]

I live walking distance from the River Line that goes up from NJ through NY along the Hudson and I get some good pictures there.

[Anonymous]

There is a section in West Point NY where the trains go very slow thats where I get my pictures although I live in NJ

[Anonymous]

I like video, I can freeze the image on the computer,then print what I like and still have the real thing
N scale Fraser Valley

[billlbeutler]

The one day that I happend to take a camera, I was east of Topeka Ks. on the UP's Kansas City Sub and got a few good shots of the shuttles booster engines headed west. there were four cars all seperated buy a box car. It was a good day of railfaning.

[jimschlegel]

I've been "Railfanning" since the early 50's when I was a boy of 4.I have taken photoes over the last 50 years . I miss the eastern railroad fallen flags paint jobs they were beautiful and tasteful. The paint jobs of today are blah! The big western roads are a little bit better. I like to just go and listen and watch the horsepower in action. Not really much to photo anymore.

[Anonymous]

When I get pictures of trans(if I remember the camera) they end up being sloppy AAACCKK!! but once in a blue moon I get a fantastic photo

[Anonymous]

I enjoy taking pictures when I'm out with my brother Scott railfanning. We live in central Ohio and get to the local railroad spots frequently. Crestline and Galion are our favorite spots to watch, since we are building an HO layout modeling the area. We are going to have a great time with our project, and can use our photos to help with the modeling. The main thing is to have fun railfanning!