They say that timing is everything, no matter what you do. A few minutes (or seconds) here or there can greatly effect what you do and how it turns out. That was surely the case this morning as Carmon and myself headed out to shoot the inbound Kentucky Derby train on the NS.
In years past, the train has always left Altoona a hour or so later than it did this year, and in years past it has had a slower trip, meaning it would almost reliably show up here just before sunrise. This year they left Altoona early, had a good fast trip East, and despite some delays on the CNO&TP, showed up at the wye in Danville about 2 hours earlier than usual. I had planned on getting some night shots, but didn't figure half the trip across the Louisville District would be in the dark...but that's where the timing comes in.
Thanks to the heads up here on JREB, and folks up North that where keeping track of the train, We knew it would be early. We packed up and left the house about 0200 and got out to the wye about 0245 or so. During that time, one of the engines on the OCS developed mechanical troubles and the train was delayed for almost an hour around Deleplane Ky.. This delay meant that the 375 would make it to our location first. Sure enough 375 pulls up to Faulkner road and ties down on #2 track, dashing my hopes of any night shots as that would put the OCS on #1 track, probably hidden. As luck would have it, when the OCS got to us and spotted up for fuel and a new crew, they pulled up about an engine length past 375's head end, game on..
While I was killing time, trying to stay awake, I got the camera out and did a few shots of 375 and the signals at Faulkner road and North Wye..
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2Fns375nwye052510.sized.jpg&hash=2d6cc8405960009224d1aff6e1bc6108126f1187)
The full moon made some great background light for the crossing signal at Faulkner Road
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2Ffauljnerroadnight042510_filtered.sized.jpg&hash=f469b04732774abb03350068fe9bfd4b1380d581)
Dead red at North Wye and SJ tower.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2FnorthwyeSB042510_filtered.sized.jpg&hash=b3997dffba79c3aa8950a80f3c6e9e9c6ca4d0a8)
After awhile, the OCS shows up and spots up next to 375. We had been alone until the train arrived, but in a flash the place was full of crew vans, Fuel trucks and other assorted activity. I changed locations to the West side of the mainline and spent about 10 minutes trying a few shots and lighting changes. Here is 955 sitting next to 375.
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and the lead motor on 955, the NS 4271.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2Fns4271nwye042510_filtered.sized.jpg&hash=d758ea3fc875b0b745f64e1ddbed7038bfe749d7)
Even with all the delays, the Derby train left they wye and headed for Louisville well ahead of the sun. We got ahead of them and set up for a groovy video shot of them passing a funeral home in Harrodsburg (Ill post the videos in a day or Two). After that, it was a easy trip West to Waddy.
The LS dispatcher had told the OCS to drag their feet, as they would have to wait at Waddy for Eastbound 223 who was just leaving the Louisville area. A grain train was tied down at Joyes on the mainline with engine troubles, and it was a single track RR between Tucker and Waddy. We set up for a shot at the Turtle Tree crossing at Waddy just as the sun started to show itself.
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955 pulled up to the West end of Waddy siding and sat...and sat...and sat. For a good time, we had the train all to ourselves and I played with around with a few angles. I had to be quick as the sun was just about to break the horizon right above the engines.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2F1_955wwaddy042510.sized.jpg&hash=c478f92ccfa4befda54f9f2da2d824e73d53fadc)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2F4_955wwaddy042510.sized.jpg&hash=9f8290af88504db080ffba9f1d7ef0030fbbaea9)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2F2_955wwaddy042510.sized.jpg&hash=a2cbf26b31eb84a6b70768d4ac9b651e7f77937b)
Well after the sun was up, 223 finally made it to Waddy and heads in the hole to meet the 955 and Two more Westbounds.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2Fns223wwaddy042510.sized.jpg&hash=1b4bdc430bf4d970b614ec7ec7019124e6ea29d0)
After 223 clears, the OCS gets on the move again to Louisville. We decided at this point that we where done for the day. I had been awake for over 24 hours (thats hard on a old man you know!) plus now the sun was up, the train would be back lit the rest of the way. I found a decent angle with the sun to shoot them as they left Waddy..
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2Fns4271wwaddy042510.sized.jpg&hash=205733df581b40bfbcaf1febbf12ff4cfa185707)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Falbum49%2Fns955wwaddy042510.sized.jpg&hash=7c3324e76ee6976d3f6f42a156c6ba794c6d0842)
I will get Carmon's videos online in the next few days. Higher resolution copies of these images can be found at my Pbase site http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/2010ocs
Freakin sweet man nice shots I see ya had the moon and stars we got clouds wind and lots o'rain .... Hopefully she'll scoot through in nicer weather next time thanks for sharing you awsome pics EMB
Great Images, especially with them ditch lights off. You've won this year's race..
Mr. Bell, there are photographers, and there are masters. You are the latter. Amazing work!