Saw more UP locos this morning, as well as a Conrail loco. I also saw a long stretch of very long white flatcars within a train that went from close to far on the far track from the hotel cam. I grabbed snapshots. Anyone know what could be with those flatcars?
Hi everyone, I'd first start off by apologizing for our lack of knowledge of this forums existence. Secondly I'd like to introduce myself. I serve as the Public Relations and Advertising Manager for The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center where this camera is located on top of our historic property. The camera is actually owned and operated by The Virginia Tech Foundation (which also owns the hotel portion of our property) www.roanokerailcam.com. We have been well aware of all the issues this camera has experienced since its inception and apologize for the sometimes frustrating upgrades, slowness, etc. For us in the hospitality industry this was a different concept for us and had no idea that it would be as celebrated and heavily watched as it is. We have seen requests for information from all over the world. But I assure you we want this to be successful and appreciate all the feedback we have received thus far. I just wish I found this forum sooner!
I would like to let everyone know that I can serve as your liaison to any issues or technical experiences you may encounter. I would also let you know that my personal technical experience with the camera is zilch, however I can get in contact with the proper channels and at least field questions that you may have. I'd also love to hear about suggestions for improving the camera as well as any other ideas you may have or seen others do.
The camera was originally put forth to celebrate of Roanoke’s heritage and provides visitors and residents the opportunity to learn the history of the railroad in the Roanoke Valley. I look forward to learning more about how we can serve you as well as provide a more insightful look to the history of our property as well, the history of our area.
http://www.hotelroanoke.com/about/index.php
I look forward to continued conversation and hopefully making this a positive experience for everyone here on out.
At your service,
Michael Quonce Public Relations and Advertising Manager
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
www.HotelRoanoke.com
Hi Michael,
I first want to say a Big THANK YOU to you and all who is involved to make the camera happen.
Keep up the great work.
Joe Lepage
Amherst Railway Society Member
Michael,
Thanks for your post and information concerning the railcam. As like many others, I really enjoy and appreciate it. I check in a couple of times each day, and it has become a daily part of my routine. Because of it, I'm thinking about coming down there for a couple of days later this summer or early fall.
Thanks Again,
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
I must add my THANK YOU.
This RailCam puts many of the others to shame. 24-hour operation, full motion update rate, high resolution, great view.
I really appreciate it. Great fun!
Thanks, again.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Welcome to the Trains Forum Michael.
The Roanoke hotel web cam is superb and does, in fact, bring interest and joy to many people.
As a student of American railroads the information gained by the passing train movements has proven invaluable to me. I would like to thank you and all concerned in the provision and maintenance of this great asset to American modern day railroading and not least for putting Roanoke on the map for many people worldwide.
Alan, Oliver & North Fork Railroad
https://www.buckfast.org.uk/
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll English author & recreational mathematician (1832 - 1898)
Thank you Michael for finding this forum. As you can see by the number of posts related to the camera in this thread there are many avid watchers who participate on Trains Forum and likely many more world wide.
As previously said, many of us are 'addicted' to it and suffer pangs of withdrawl when the camera is down.. I'm sure the 'techies' will get the bugs eliminated in time.
I think I can speak for all when I say 'Thank You' to Hotel Roanoake and the people who made it possible.
Norm
Michael....let me say thanks for the service of the cam and it's care, a lot of people on here really enjoy watching the action....and I'm one of them.
If You ask for suggestions....I'll go out on a limb and say: Audio...
But thanks again.
Quentin
Thank you all . I am hopelessly addicted to this camera . RON
Michael, Thank you for stepping forward and letting us know whats happening. You are most welcome here on this forem.
Respectfully, Jim " Cannonball"
Y6bs evergreen in my mind
Rich
Those that desire, find a way..... Those that don't, find an excuse.
Hello, Michael, and I'm glad you could finally make it here with us. I am one of those more involved with watching the camera when I'm online. When the camera was placed in its new location and provided a great view of the tracks, people started flooding to it. It truely became a sensation in a short time, and I'm not surprised that, by now, it is known worldwide. I'd say the Hotel Roanoke and Virginia Tech Foundation succeeded in getting the word out about the place, and I thank both for all that's been done.
The camera has provided views of many interesting types of freight going through town, which is uncommon for many areas to have such variety anymore. It is also nice to see a flock of cabeese running on the rear of a number of trains, something also rarely seen anymore. A good variety of locomotives has also been seen. All this action and variety will certainly gets people's attention, and a number have already looked into staying at the Roanoke Hotel. It is impossible to know how many additional guests flock there because of the railcam, though anyone requesting a trackside room is a dead giveaway.
- - - Regarding camera issues, there are a few common ones. I'll explain those. - - -
The primary issue is the blackouts. Because these typically seem to occur in the afternoon hours when they do, I expect that this is simply from all available bandwidth being used up for the time being, though I'd just like to see if someone can confirm that. If that's it, we can simply check back later in the day. For a long while, we couldn't find any reason for the blackouts, which were more common in the early days and seemed to happen at random, though other issues could have caused them back then. The not knowing was really frustrating.
The second issue is the focus, which we notice changes. This is especialy common during blue-light hours, where the camera can rapidly be shifting focus near and far. An easy example is when a pair of headlights comes from the right side from one of the vehicles. You will see the focus change a lot while it passes by. We were wondering if there was a way to lock the focus on the tracks. This may or may not be possible depending on what type of camera is running, how old it is, what features/settings it has, how easily those settings can be changed, etc. This mostly isn't an issue during the afternoon hours, but any type of low-light situation may reveal it.
The final issue if the changing of color to black and white. There is no regularity to this, but during the dark hours, the camera usually goes B&W. This may be to make things more visible, to save bandwidth, or both. Perhaps other factors also come into play. This does seem to mostly be a good thing when it's pitch black, and things do seem to show up a bit better overall. Twinkling lights from the antenna farm on Poor Mountain in the background may also be seen in B&W mode. The downside is that the signals are no longer discernable. The signals not only are pleasant to see, but they give indications on what's coming, and where (if anything). I think the most optimal way to switch between the modes would be a common time to make the switch, rather than the more random method currently run. I forget the time, but I think there is a common time around 11 PM Eastern Time that there's a cliff reached, where train traffic sharply falls off. If possible, having the camera wait until this time to switch over would be best, as the signals would be very usable before then, and after that, where there's mostly nothing but red signals, the B&W mode's benefits would win. I have never been on for the early dawn hours, so I don't know if there's a sudden time train traffic starts up before light begins, but if so, switching back to color right before then would be best.
- - - Requests for additional information - - -
There are still a few lingering questions on some antennas visible on the cameras. We had already identified the twinkling lights at night as the antenna farm on Poor Mountain, way in the distance. During the daytime, whenever the camera is relatively in focus, a single antenna is visible just left of the parking garage. Does anyone know what building that is on, and what it is used for?
The VMT railcam that looks back your way also shows 2 antennas (link here: http://www.nwhs.org/cam/vmt/ ). There is 1 in the opening on the left side, and another far to the right side, to the right of the twin smokestacks of the NS shops. Know anything about those? The antennas on either cam are only visible when it is decently lit and in focus, so you might have to check them a few times throughout the day before you see them.
In January, a steam locomotive came through Roanoke on its own power. I found out about it too late to use the cam to grab a screenshot. Is there a picture archive of it? Some time a good ways back, another steam locomotive had been brought in under NS diesel power. I know nothing about it, and I didn't know how to get screenshots at the time, so I don't have any picture of it. Know anything about that one?
- - - Tech feature to consider - - -
Because of the way the live feed is given, screenshots are usually not possible, as PrintScreen won't capture video. Windows 7 does have a Snipping Tool that can grab a snapshot, though each time one must manually click and drag the portion to be saved. I'm wondering if someone might consider having an HTML page that has 2 live feed options, the full feed for those on high bandwidth, and the current restricted feed for those on slower connections, and to have the feed appear on the HTML page, with a small set of controls. A pause/resume button, much like the VMT railcam's would be nice, along with an auto-snapshot button, that would automatically save the picture the moment it is used, and then present a window for where the user wants to save the picture to on his computer.
Perhaps a timing mechanism would also be nice, just like the VMT railcam's. To save bandwidth, when the HTML page is loaded, another small applet is loaded that receives the current Hotel System Time at that moment, and then uses the user's computer to run the clock forward on its own, without any further need to update the clock online. A screenshot would also automatically attach this date and time to the bottom of the snapshot taken, much like how the VMT cam does. The clock would continue running, even when the feed is paused.
Finally, I noticve that Windows 7 has a feature that allows you to mouseover the WMP icon, and a small window showing the live feed will pop up. One of the big things people have always wanted about railcams is to be able to minimize the window when nothing's happening, and to bring it up when a train comes by. Of course, if it's minimized, you don't know if a train's coming by. A nice ability would be to have another control button on that HTML page, named whatever, that can shrink the window to about the size of the popup that mousingover the WMP icon in Windows 7 does. This would set the feed to running if it is paused, change the window from full-screen to a small, draggable window that shows only the feed, and the window would be always on top. With this, the user can then do other work while glancing at the mini window and drag it around on the screen to keep it out of the way of other stuff. When a train is seen, and the user wants it full size, simply clicking on the feed picture itself would suddenly revert the window back to its normal self.
Thanks for checking out this really long post. And thanks for everything once again.
One more thing, Michael, the following link on the site has a missing picture:
http://www.hotelroanoke.com/about/services.php
While you're there, just note that under the Television heading, it should be "Color TVs" - no apostrophe. Whoever updates the picture link may fix that while at the same time.
I also have a question abotu something...what are the rates on the Train Lover's Package? I thought I'd just check it out, but it said it was unavailable at this time. Link:
http://www.hotelroanoke.com/specials/trainloverspackage.php
Anyhow, back to the webcam, guys, a red, white, and blue loco went by the camera a little while ago, led by an NS loco. I could not read the numbers. Seen this loco lately? This is a new one to me. I also saw a good few UP locos today.
Hi Everyone
Just a few words of thanks & appreciation for the Roaqnoke webcam!
I watch regularly,,I find the passing traffic quite interesting too ( Lots of Coke Trucks is there a depot/distrubutuion point nearby)
Oh I should have added also I am watching from North Wales UK, ( Home to many Narrow gauge railways)
I Model USA N gauge & Large scale ( LGB) out in the garden (Yard)
Kind regards
Steve
Michael...
I'm not the grammar police, but there are just a few more things to be corrected on the Hotel's website, if you're interested. On the following page:
First, just above the History heading is a run-on sentence, "We would still love to hear from you please share your memories and stories, old and new, with us." It should read, "We would still love to hear from you. Please share your memories and stories, old and new, with us."
Second, above the 125th Holidays heading, the line, ""The tours gave residents, visitors and guests an opportunity to experience our history. Many may think its just hotel, but its not, there is so much more to it. There is a special charisma that exists within these walls," Davis said." should read, ""The tours gave residents, visitors, and guests an opportunity to experience our history. Many may think it's just a hotel, but it's not; there is so much more to it. There is a special charisma that exists within these walls," Davis said."
Third, below 125th Holidays, the paragraph should read, "Always a special time for The Hotel Roanoke, the holidays allow the Hotel an opportunity to create a festive wonderland for all to enjoy. To kick off the holiday season, we called on the public to help us find the perfect tree to commemorate the 125th anniversary. After receiving many gracious responses and helpful tips, we were able to locate the tree we were looking for. A special "Thank You" goes to Ms. Brown of Willis, Va., for helping us find the tree and allowing us to have it grace our front entrance as our 125th Christmas tree. Another much-anticipated and celebrated event that takes place throughout the holidays is our annual Fashions for Evergreens competition. 25 area designers, artists, and businesses square off to create the most extraordinary trees on display from Thanksgiving Day until New Year's Day. This year we had over 11,000 votes cast in what was our biggest turn-out to date. Hotel Roanoke guests and visitors also enjoyed our Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve brunches and dinners. If you are interested in attending one of these meals next year, we strongly encourage making reservations as soon as possible. 540-985-5900. Seats sell out fast!"
Finally, under Time Capsule Ceremony, the paragraphs should read...
"On Sunday, December 23rd, the public was invited to share in the past 125 years with a special time capsule burying ceremony. With history tours and light refreshments to begin the afternoon, visitors were offered a final opportunity to share a message for the future and bid farewell to the past 125 years.
"I'm here, because I wanted to see the time capsule buried, and I wanted to sign the guestbook. Hopefully I'll be around when I'm 137 years old and see it dug up again," said Hotel Roanoke friend Emmy Bender.
Filled to the brim with newspapers, historic photos, employee business cards, and other Hotel Roanoke memorabilia, the Hotel Roanoke staff and area citizens helped shovel dirt on the time capsule, burying it until
December 23, 2132. The time capsule is buried near the Hokie Bird towards the front of the Hotel. A plaque will also be placed on the burial site commemorating the ceremony.
We would still love to hear from you. Please share your memories and stories, old and new, with us."
There is such a massive variety of stuff today! So many different locos, slugs, a caboose...today's teh day to be watching!
The VMT cam went down a few hours ago and is still down. I wonder what happened?
Museum cam still down . Maybe they will improve it while they are fixing it . RON
Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! I look forward to being a part of this forum. And I certainly appreciate the grammar police at any time! I have shared much of the remarks already with our team and will be getting in touch with the Virginia Museum of Transportation to see if one of their members can jump on board and assist as well.
To answer a few questions, there is a Coca-Cola distribution facility just out of the camera's view, which explains all the trucks you'll see probably on a daily basis. I will have to check on the antennas and see what that is about and unfortunately I am not allowed to post about our business opportunities. However I can assure you that it will be back online soon.
Happy Viewing! It should be clearing up here a little today after a pretty good rain storm came through yesterday.
Mike
As of yesterday and today , glad to see our flag on the building across the way. Now on to the events of the day.
Cannonball
Mike,
A question if I may. Is the camera inside or outside of the walkway across the tracks. From my perspective it appears to be inside.
The camera is actually on top of the Hotel and is zoomed in looking down the tracks.
MQuonceHotelRoanoke The camera is actually on top of the Hotel and is zoomed in looking down the tracks.
Ummmm??? you might wanna double-check that.
It might be on top of the enclosed overhead walkway, and I suspect it is, given that it sometimes shakes in the wind. But using Google Earth and drawing vectors from distant points through near points that are in a straight line in the view from the camera, they converge on the walkway near what I assume to be a stairs from the sidewalk up to the walkway.
Michael, you are looking at a picture from the old camera, which was first on top of the hotel looking down. The current one is outside, on top of a pedestrian walkway that looks towars the VMT cam.
Guys, according to some information, the VMT railcam might have gone down due to heavy use, and once again, I managed to miss a steam loco movement the one day I wasn't on. Did anybody get pictures of it yesterday? Here is the article about what should have come through on both railcams.
http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/2011/05/Chesapeake%20Ohio%20614%20begins%20move%20to%20new%20home.aspx
Photo:
http://trn.trains.com/~/media/Images/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/TRN-PP0211_09.ashx?mw=900
You`re right . Same old jerky , blurry cam . RON
It looks like something is happening this morning in the parking lot across the track. Some tents/booths hae been erected and a good number of people heading that way on the sidewalks. Maybe a farmers market/flea market/etc. After seeing the race a few weeks ago, it seems this area might be popular for different activities.
Well, i just tried to grab what would've been a nice screenshot with the packed area across the tracks, along with a train entering the scene with that blue loco with the long, white horizontal stripe. Too bad I'm using a different computer that can't grab the snapshots from the live feed. even worse, i see that although the VMT cam is back up, now it really is not working properly and it will not refresh the image at all.
EDIT-the VMT cam just fixed itself...after the blue and white loco had gone by, of course.
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