Trackside Lounge

[nanaimo73]

This seems like the place for this question.  As far as ditch lights on locomotives, when were they first introduced, and, was one of the reasons for their application,(In addition to the increased illumination)  the fact that it made it easier to judge how distant the train was, i.e.  the closer the train, the greater separation between the ditch lights and the headlight.....  Just wondering.

Ditch lights were first used during the early 1950s in British Columbia, by CN and CP. Both railways operate through mountainous territory prone to rock slides, and the ditch lights were designed to give the crews an earlier warning of obstuctions around curves. Properly installed ditch lights cross over each other, with the left hand light pointing to the right, and vice versa.

American ditch lights (crossing lights ?) came about after three girls were killed in Kansas Feb 14, 1992. 18,000 postcards were mailed in, which led Nancy Kassenbaum to introduce the Bill making them mandatory.

 

[solzrules]

Just wanted to stop by and say that this is an absolutely great idea.  I have got more information from just the past two pages of reading than at least 500 of the DD and CS pages (in all of its various forms). 

Great idea, guys!  Let's hope it stays that way....

[Modelcar]

....And when one is in a district where the RR uses blinking ditch light operation, in my opinion....they are more distinct and noticeable.

[Murphy Siding]

This seems like the place for this question.  As far as ditch lights on locomotives, when were they first introduced, and, was one of the reasons for their application,(In addition to the increased illumination)  the fact that it made it easier to judge how distant the train was, i.e.  the closer the train, the greater separation between the ditch lights and the headlight.....  Just wondering.

I would have to believe it has something to do with making trains more visible from the background.  When you see the three light pattern, you know in an instant, that it's a train.

[TimChgo9]

This seems like the place for this question.  As far as ditch lights on locomotives, when were they first introduced, and, was one of the reasons for their application,(In addition to the increased illumination)  the fact that it made it easier to judge how distant the train was, i.e.  the closer the train, the greater separation between the ditch lights and the headlight.....  Just wondering.

[Noah Hofrichter]

Oh, but you've got a reason to be excited Chris! The whole gallery with the new lens is really awesome, the sorts of things I aspire to be able to take someday. The new lens definately appears to be a fine one!

Noah

[CopCarSS]

OK, second try at this...

So on the topic of cameras/photography, I picked up a new lens (which isn't that big of a surprise given that I have an affliction called Lens Buying Addiction or LBA for short). What is different is that this particular lens has been called the best autofocus lens ever by at least one lens guru.

The lens I'm talking about is Pentax's gorgeous little FA 77mm f1.8 Limited. You can read a little bit about it, and the other "Limiteds" over here.

I had always thought that article was a bit of hyperbole, but I've needed a nice little short telephoto for awhile. Besides, there's a bit of a cult following of this lens. Many users claim that they will be buried with theirs. I know of at least one guy that got a tattoo of the lens formula on his arm. There has to be something to it, right?

I got a chance to exercise mine a bit this weekend when I went down to Cañon City, CO for a meet-up with some other Pentax shooters at the 2007 Harvest Festival at the Abbey Winery. In just one day, I became a member of the cult following. I may just have mine buried with me!

The lens is oh so sharp wide open, and gets stupidly sharp when stopped down. There's a lot of lenses that do that, though. What makes this one different is the subtle details. The way that color is rendered. The faithful reproduction of skin tones. The bokeh (out-of-focus blur). The last one is a major point. In short, this is a lens that I'm not yet confident in my abilities to use to its full potential. There's definately a learning curve that goes into it. It should be a fun trip learning to use it effectively, though!

Anyways, enough of my jabbering. Here's a couple shots taken at the Cañon City & Royal Gorge railroad before I headed over to the Harvest Fest, and a couple showing the beautiful bokeh that this bugger can deliver:

If you're interested, all of my shots from the outing can be seen here.

Sorry this was a little long...I guess I just got a little excited.

[CShaveRR]

It's been a long time since I was at Phil's, but it was pretty good.  I liked the relish trays they put out--nice touch.  I don't think we were ever fortunate enough to encounter a train while there.  Maybe we just have to keep trying!

[ndbprr]

I nominate Phil Smidt's restaurant in Hammond Indiana.  Right on the mainline out of Chicago about 1/4 mile east of Colehour yard.  Friday night is all the Lake Perch you can eat night.  The windows are maybe forty feet from the tracks and all the windows are big.

[Noah Hofrichter]

I like the idea of this new place, Carl, hopefully something more grounded in reality (whatever that is).

And Dale, yeah, the crossing on the lake still exists in Madison. It's known as the "MX" or "Monona Tower." Both of the lines (former MILW and CNW) are now owned/leased by the Wisconsin and Southern, and they use it a couple of times a day one one part of it or another. Of course, if some people in the city of Madison had their way, the trains would be relocated entirely off the Ithsmus..

Noah

[nanaimo73]

Speaking of Madison, do two lines still cross out on the Lake ?

[CNW 6000]

70 square miles surrounded by reality=Madison!

[Steam Is King]

Please, let's stay with reality

In order to do that, one must first describe exactly what reality is....

From what I;ve read it's everything outside of madision, Wis.

[eolafan]

Please, let's stay with reality

In order to do that, one must first describe exactly what reality is....

Holy cow, now THAT'S deep, really deep! I may have to put on some Cream in order to figure the answer to that one.

[zardoz]

Please, let's stay with reality

In order to do that, one must first describe exactly what reality is....

[Modelcar]

...No problem with the "lounge".....Sounds pretty good. 

Speaking of old depots {a couple of posts above}, we have one here in our town that is an ex C&O station and now is a TrailHead.  It was given an $800,000 renovation back a  few years to original appearance, in and out with all new mechanicals, etc....Has a small refreshment and sales spot inside.....displays of classic RR articles, etc....and Trail offices....It's really nice.  Beautifully lit up on the outside at night with lights under the large overhang shining on the bright brick walls.

NS New Castle line passes just 50' or so outside parallel to the trail for several hundred yards and of couse is active.  The route of the Triple Crown.

[CopCarSS]

Count me in. Tim, any time you want to talk cameras, you know I'm interested! In fact I had just put a whole post together about a new toy, but for some reason, the forum seems to have sent it to never-never land or something. I'll try to re-type it on lunch.

[CShaveRR]

Bob, my wife approves of your new avatar!

I biked out yesterday evening to see Ringling Brothers' Blue Unit go through town--I guess they put the animals toward the front to minimize slack action (which I don't expect much of on passenger equipment), but it can't be pleasant for the passengers standing in the open vestibules behind them!  This was the first time I'd ever seen a complete circus train on the move.  It was too dark for photography by the time it got to our neck of the woods.  Train's on its way to Boston via CSX east of Chicago.

I won't be talking cameras, Tim, but no reason others can't, as long as it sticks close to railroading and railfanning.

PZ, thanks for putting the concept into words so well.  No armor or tin shoes necessary here--not even flame-retardant clothing, one hopes.

Da Boss (or Da Boss' kid) isn't a Cubs fan.  But yes, I'd hope to see a pair of cars (at least!)wrapped in Cubs livery.  Did they do it for the Bears last winter?

[spokyone]

OK Carl. I'll give it a try. Barbara & I were in Shenadoah IA recently and had breakfast at the Depot restaurant in the old depot. Not any action on the branch line, but the restaurant has lots of old pics and antiques to admire. Food was good. Old timers chat, priceless.

[Poppa_Zit]

Great idea Carl, as long as it doesn't turn into PretendLand and a Theatre of the Absurd.

Please, let's stay with reality -- as you said, no pretend food, no pretend drink orders, no pretend snacks, no fakey lights to turn out, no "Yummy" comments to pump up post counts. It should be a thread for the exchange of thoughts and ideas, not a place for nonsense.

Now, I wonder if the cash-strapped CTA will somehow find money to paint up a couple of Chicago Cubs cars, to commemorate the division championship. They did it for the White Sox in 2005, after all.

    

[SactoGuy188]

Speaking of trackside lounges, Roseville, CA is currently building a new viewing area to watch train traffic at the east end of the J. R. Davis Yard--it's supposed to be right next to the Amtrak station. I wonder is that thing open yet....

[Ted Marshall]

i know off topic.....but....i love watching the night race at Bristol....them slow moving NS freights look cool from the blimp

 I guess the track is close to the track(s).  Or... the tracks are close to the track

[J. Edgar]

i know off topic.....but....i love watching the night race at Bristol....them slow moving NS freights look cool from the blimp

[Ted Marshall]

Tim, may I please have a Cheeto?

[TimChgo9]

Coming home today, I took Route 7 over the DesPlaines River, and a BNSF intermodal was just passing underneath, and to my wondering eyes, there were 2 KCS units that were part of the consist... I don't see that too often.

 

 

[J. Edgar]

not to barge in....but....hiya .....while at work today driving west on I-94 in Detroit i passed under an old RR bridge and whatcha know.....it still had a PC moniker on it.....granted rusted faded and barely readable...but you could still see the noodles....got me thinkin....what other lil tid bits have you all run across like that.....and do your wives look at you funny when you see that and yell....LOOK LOOK PENN CENTRAL!!!

[Ted Marshall]

Carl, pour me a cold one, hold the foam. Can I drink it outside or must it be consumed inside? I hope it's a smoke-free environment...cigarette smoke, of course.

I'm looking for a BNSF or UP mixed freight manifest train with classic power, probably SD40-2s. Any roll past your way? If so, I might just hang out here for a while with my camcorder as I collect footage for my show. Is that ok?

[TimChgo9]

A trackside lounge....sure....   I can go for that..  Can we talk cameras too???  Doing this might cut down on some of the threads that might be more easily discussed under a blanket thread like this one...

Want some virtual Cheetos, Carl? 

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[CShaveRR]

We've had a couple of attempts at a new Depot Diner since the last incarnation was unceremoniously closed earlier today.  In the hours since it was opened, we finally got a post mentioning trains in some way a good halfway down the first page. 

What we may need here is a place where we can talk trains, maybe the weather (as it affects train-watching), ask questions, make comments. The only food would be what each person brings in for his own consumption--no need for a third of the posts to describe a menu, and another third to go "Yummy!" We've gotten to know train-watching friends by how they post information (or not), and these posts have helped us decide whom we'd like to know a little better--for better or for worse.

So...there are plenty of trains to see outside, and plenty of windows to look at them from. Enjoy!

Or not--I won't be hurt or crushed if no one else posts. And I know that Bergie doesn't like two "competing" posts in this general area--so he may yank this one without hurting feelings if he feels it doesn't serve a purpose.