I just wondering the level of difficulty of chasing the 4014 and or the East bound Double header. I am sure both state and local authorities will be on high alert to be sure the foamers are not out killing them selves or destroying public property to get the perfect shot.
So looking for some constructive dialogue on how plan how to make the most of my trip.
I'll be in Cheyenne on May 4, following the train west. Then be following the esat bound train again.
Any constructive advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Chasing is strictly a team pursuit. You need a driver and a vidographer/photographer. The driver has to be good at avoiding distractions such as your exclamations of delight and other weird noises of appreciation, and minding his/her business....carefully. Things happen quickly at 40-60 mph.
I do appreciate the finer attempts at chasing, and have enjoyed many fine works on youtube. But I would rather be static and take video from a carefully chosen (reconnaissanced previously) vantagepoint, whether an overpass (meh), on an embankment at least 20 yards from the tracks that will be used (people want those jerky up-close zooms which do nothing for the final rendering), or walk down the tracks away from the blinkers and crossing noise so you don't get them infernal and oh-so-common annoying bell sounds.
Just my take on it.
I'm not a chaser myself, the only chasing I've done was following N&W 611 along Route 460 here in Virginia. It was easy since I knew the area.
However, my advice to you would be to get a good road atlas of the area to see if it's even possible or practical.
"ADC, The Map People" put out some good ones, I've used them professionally and they haven't disappointed me. ADC does show rail lines on their maps.
www.kappamapgroup.com is the website.
I don't know if you can order direct, but if there's a Barne and Noble or Books-A-Million in your area they can order them for you.
I'm old-fashioned, I prefer a paper map to what's on line, when possible.
Road maps on line may not show rail lines, rail line maps on line may not show roads. I know the ADC maps do show both.
Well I mean chase as finding good location to photograph the train as she rolls on her journey.
I am not planning to photograph the train from a moving car.
My concern is with so many restrictions place on trying to get a good shot of the train, coupled with a huge number of chasers, will it be feasible to find, rail side locations to stop and snap some pictures.
ROBERT WILLISON Well I mean chase as finding good location to photograph the train as she rolls on her journey. I am not planning to photograph the train from a moving car. My concern is with so many restrictions place on trying to get a good shot of the train, coupled with a huge number of chasers, will it be feasible to find, rail side locations to stop and snap some pictures.
A quick look at Google Maps from Cheyenne to Laramie shows decent roadside access from Cheyenne to Buford, then a lot of hard country between there and Laramie. In a crowd scene, elevation is your friend, looks to be a couple of bridges in Laramie. Most of Sherman Hill is non-accessible, except for 4x4's, that is on the few places available for public access.
Thanks man, good input
I thought some railroading club or organization has already arranged a train- chasing bus tour for railfans by using an open top bus like this:
I am not sure the route the UP #4014 will take though, but buses like this should be capable to reach 62mph at least. Chasing the train and park the double-decker at the best location for taking photos of the steam engine.
Jones 3D Modeling Club https://www.youtube.com/Jones3DModelingClub
I recommend an open-cockpit biplane such as a Stearman, or Tiger Moth. Really, that's got to be a great way to chase trains. If only I had pilot's license. And a biplane.
54light15 I recommend an open-cockpit biplane such as a Stearman, or Tiger Moth. Really, that's got to be a great way to chase trains. If only I had pilot's license. And a biplane.
Man 54', wouldn't THAT be a gas? Barring a Stearman or a Tiger Moth a high-wing light craft like a Cessna 150 or 172 would be adequate, assuming the windows are clean!
By the way, the last time we rode behind N&W 611 someone WAS chasing it with an AT-6! (That's an SNJ to you Navy and Marine Corps airdales!)
Savage TunnelJudging from the lack of responses to Editor Wrinn's blog on seeing the 4014, I would say a lot of "fans" are going to ignore good advice and just bumble their way through the whole event. Fail to plan; plan to fail...
Or maybe they don't want to share their plans and have a whole army following them around?
I'll stay home, thank you. Being surrounded by throngs of rabbid steam fans doesn't sound that much fun anyhow.
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
Staying home as well. I can't see that moonscape as anything remotely on what I would want to use my personal vacation on. One of the problems I have with the UP Steam Program is they rarely send their engines outside of the Western Plains or Eastern Desert region. Nothing really scenic there, good hotels are sparse, I can only imagine having to deal with local rental car firms. Would not really be much of a vacation for me.
Will probably take a CUNARD Cruise on the Queen Mary2 instead, probably cheaper as well.
Savage TunnelJudging from the lack of responses to Editor Wrinn's blog on seeing the 4014, I would say a lot of "fans" are going to ignore good advice and just bumble their way through the whole event. Fail to plan; plan to fail... BTW , TRAINS Mag will be running a chase bus, its not a double decker, which would be kind of impractical in the Wyoming desert? It should be quite entertaining in May to read about everyone's failure to enjoy the event.
While mentioning that I've gotten too old for that insanity; Me, I'm goining to wait for the video and photos! I'll leave that going fast, and racing around a circle to BaltACD and family!
zugmann Savage Tunnel Judging from the lack of responses to Editor Wrinn's blog on seeing the 4014, I would say a lot of "fans" are going to ignore good advice and just bumble their way through the whole event. Fail to plan; plan to fail... Or maybe they don't want to share their plans and have a whole army following them around? I'll stay home, thank you. Being surrounded by throngs of rabbid steam fans doesn't sound that much fun anyhow.
Savage Tunnel Judging from the lack of responses to Editor Wrinn's blog on seeing the 4014, I would say a lot of "fans" are going to ignore good advice and just bumble their way through the whole event. Fail to plan; plan to fail...
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 chased 3895 from Cajon to Barstow in a Cessna 152 ;) back in the mid 1990's
Weather was not windy so we could keep up, I am sure we ended up on someones photos or video.
I sometimes wish my old man was still around along with his Aeronca Champ. I don't think I would have talked him into flying it from New York to the West in it. Driving would be faster as that thing had a top speed of 65 MPH. But, yeah, Flintlock, an SNJ would be a fine thing as well. But me, I love biplanes!
I know what you mean 54' I've been in a Stearman twice!
You know, there was a fighter pilot during the First World War who said that being up in an open-cockpit airplane (OK, they didn't have any others at the time) made him feel like a little god. I thought I understood what he meant by that but until I did it myself I realized I hadn't understood it at all. Nothing else like it! And not scary either. Roller-coasters are scary!
Oh, that fighter pilot's name? Hermann Goering. And that's about the only thing I can empathise with concerning that rapacious SOB.
Savage TunnelIt should be quite entertaining in May to read about everyone's failure to enjoy the event.
Hehehehe... yeah we are going to hear a lot of moaning in May I am sure after the event!
Well I went out a few years back to follow UP 844 from Pocatello to Ogden. This is what I think most people would consider a 'less famous' route to the more famed Ogden-Cheyenne run, but it was honestly a bit stressful. My dad was driving for me, but it was a pain to keep pace with the steam engine. Mind you they run the steam train at passenger speeds, and bouncing along on a small two lane highway with 50 other cars also trying to follow the steam engine is a bit tricky...
Proof I was not kidding about crowds either...
That day though had a few blessings, UP 844 had to stop to re-grease at Cache Junction then limp through Wheelon in the Bear River Canyon at the restricted track speed on those bridges. Only about ten or so other railfans had gone down to the bottom of the canyon to look up on the bridges and its were I got some of my favorite shots of the day.
As soon as UP 844 was out of that canyon, back up to trackspeed with only one stop left at Brigham City! Ogden station was the only time the train slowed down again, and by then it was a massive crowd just to watch it make the reverse move back into the station track.
So about May then... May is going to be much worse. The people in these photos? Just the Utah locals out to see a train basically. Now the whole nation (world) is coming down to see a 4000 class return to steam. I don't think I am going to risk the car chase method of trying to rush ahead of the steam, set up in a location, grab shots and jump in the car. I think I am going to pin down one, two, maybe three locations, and just go there grab a shot then if the train escapes me just leave it be. The crowds are going to be bad on this one...
But am I going to skip the event? No, I am going to be out there somehow. I just need to figure out how I am going to best enjoy with some planning before it actually happens!
I'd kill to see them run 4014 off the Overland Route on a future trip. The sparse desert towns on the former LASL or WP would be a great deterent to the foamers trying to get out and see it, and make it easier for me to go trekking after it since those routes are my railfanning 'bread and butter.'
Savage TunnelIn 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.
I'm not crazy about crowds myself, but I try to be philosophic about it.
I mean, if if weren't for the crowds it would bring the engine, any steam engine, wouldn't be there in the first place.
One has to decide what one wants to come away with. If it's video, you can do that static and in motion. Same for photos, although you have to know what you're doing if trying to aim from an automobile at 50+ mph. Of course, doesn't one need to have his/her camera figured out if all you get are a couple of burst shots from a tripod while deployed atop an embankment or an overpass (the latter of which bounce, BTW)?
Static, and mobile in between, you must be very organized. You'll only get three or four good opportunities for those gee-whiz shots. Do your recce, if possible, a couple of weeks ahead of time and keep detailed notes! Take GPS details of that perfect 300 sq ft spot. Get there 30 minutes early; you may find three other tripods there already and feel you have to find another spot....which you also recce'd two weeks ago. You noted it/them as well.
On the move, you'll need a good driver who is responsive, but calm, as you yell and swear beside her. And you'll do both aplenty. Trying to video this one event in one of 200 automobiles is almost going to be setting oneself up for disappointment...methinks.
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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?!
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!
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.
Oooh the snark! This is getting interesting!
54light15Oooh 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.
"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!
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.
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
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