Scenic Kingman Canyon, AZ

[NscaleMike]

Made my third visit there this past weekend. It is part of BNSF's transcon. Up to 100 trains run through there...during my 6 hr visit there, I saw almost 30 trains.

 

Here is an example of one.

 

[NscaleMike]

Here is another image...

 

[Doublestack]

Hi Mike,

That first photo is darn near perfect.  If you could have eliminated that lone white box, it would have been really awesome.   Time to fire up photoshop and fix it!!

Nice work on those.  I've been to Kingman twice and the canyon really is pretty cool.

[Modelcar]

....Good pictures Mike.  And a very interesting place.  Worked in that area for several years, many years ago, and payed close attention to the RR operations {Sante Fe then}.

The "Chief's" were still going thru there then.

That is a pretty good grade as they come off the floor of Yucca valley and start the steeper climb up into and out of Kingman.

I always thought a location to get some unique photos was on the east side of Kingman near the airport entrance....and looking out {east}, across that long straight stretch, especially at night seeing all the block signals lined up for 17 miles or so.....

[diningcar]

It's always good to hear from those who have been to unique places and if they share great photos like these, even better. Modelcar obviously has been there and his description of the eastward view resonates with myself and others I am sure.

The entire former Santa Fe line fron Needles to Winslow offers so many photo opportunities that it would take at least a week to really cover them. The weather, plus surise or sunset scenes will challenge any photographer and will provide different perspectives of the same shot.

[Anonymous]

That's Kingman awright! I always get Kingman and Gallup Confused as these two were specific layover prep/fuel points to and from California in addition to Havastu.

[Modelcar]

Dinningcar....You're sure correct on citing that broad location to find photo spots.  Lots of em.

Another location that comes to memory is....after one makes his way {down, west out of kingman}, on old 66 and then {if it's still possible}, turn right on very old rt. 66....and on up over that grade {towards Goldroad and Oatman},  and near the top one can look back and look down on the Yucca flat and the rail line....Wait until a train passes and catch it so far away in the distance one could catch the whole train in the shot.

[NscaleMike]

Gang, glad you liked them! You can see more of them over on www.railpictures.net

My next adventure on the Seligman sub will probably be Valentine  and Crookton AZ.

[CopCarSS]

Nice shots! The first one is spectacular. I had hoped to railfan a bit of the BNSF transcon went I went to the Grand Canyon in May. Alas! I only had time to catch a couple trains in Gallup, NM when we stopped there for the night. Oh well...someday...

Thanks for sharing!

[diningcar]

NSMike, The old Route 66 overpass at Crookton is great for photos, both east and west. However the most spectacular sites are the next 44 miles east from Crookton along the 1960 line change. You will need a high clearance vehicle, preferrably 4-w,  and take snacks and water because there is nothing out there but wildlife, cattle and rocks. About 3-4 hours to Williams when you stop for photos, longer if you take lots. Don't go if the road is wet from rain or if snow is forcast. A scanner will alert you to trains nearby.

[NscaleMike]

Thanks for the heads up DiningCar!

[JSGreen]

Cool photos....thanks for sharing.  Would you mind sharing what kind of camera and lens are you using?

[CShaveRR]

On our way out to California we stayed at the Quality Inn in Kingman, near the top of the grade.  It wouldn't have been particularly photogenic, but we were there for the action itself, and weren't disappointed.

We had plenty of action the night we stayed in Gallup, too.  My nephew lives and works near there.  Not particularly interested in trains, though. 

[Southwest Chief]

Nice photos.  Kingman Canyon is an excellent place to photograph trains.  The bridges still with Santa Fe lettering are a neat aspect of Kingman Canyon too. 

Kind of a shame the current "Chief" (Southwest Chief) comes in so late in the evening and early morning to prohibit any well lit magazine style photography.  But the schedule is a good one as is.

Did you visit the old 4-8-4 3759 while in Kingman?  She still looks pretty good for being outside all these years.  Although last time I stopped to visit her was in 1999, around the same time this photo was taken. 

[NscaleMike]

Cool photos....thanks for sharing.  Would you mind sharing what kind of camera and lens are you using?

 

Hey JS...

 A Canon 20D, with a 70-200MM F4.0  "L" series lens...which I recently purchased. I have been very pleased with its results.

[dxr8007nz]

Here is another image...

 

Yay GO BNSF GO   That is AWESOME photo I love it

[mudchicken]

Always interesting running around in the area named for Louis Kingman. (a hero to all of Chico's mudchickens)...will be back someday to wander through again.

[Modelcar]

.....One location in the Kingman area was a special kind of place to go and have a good meal.  I wonder if it still might be there....?  Location was just east of Kingman and off to the right {south}, and climb {on twisty road}, up to the 6,500' level to the lodge....{Can't remember the name of it}.  Do remember of getting good steaks up there.