October color on the CNO&TP

[CarmonH]

Emmett and myself have spent a good deal of time during the last month on the road, after heritage units, steam, some crazy looking yellow EMD, and the great Fall color we have been blessed with this year. I am not a borderline OCD number cruncher like my husband  , and cant tell you how many miles we drove, how many train we saw or how many pictures I took, all I can say is we had a good time with some good folks and got to see some of Mother Natures work in the hills and hollows of Southern KY and beyond.

Thursday October 25th, we met up with our favorite weather man and our favorite Two legged mountain goat (TJ and Butch) to spend a day South of Danville KY and down to the TN state line. It was one of those days where you had to work for the shots you got, but we all had a good time. EB and myself then spent the next 3 days shooting a high and wide special and working our way South to Chattanooga and Northern GA. The weather went from One extreme to another, but I got some decent shots regardless.

This segment will focus on the regular NS stuff  and the fall color. I will have more in the next few weeks, after we get back from our last steam trip of the year this weekend.

The entire set is in my 2012 Pbase gallery.  http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/ns2012carm

October 25th

NS 275, A Southbound train autorack train  at Kings Mountain, KY


train traffic was rather slow that morning, and the boys where restless. We followed the same train South past Burnside. Here it is again on the North side of Somerset Ky at a location called Cumberland Chair.


While the train made a crew change at Burnside, we headed up the hill and got into position to shoot him one last time at Keno Ky. The next hour or so would bring a flurry of trains, and we worked the area for different angles, not having time to move around much.

275 again at Keno, with some of the best color we saw on the hills in the background.


Butch went for the hard shot, and put his mountain man skills to use.


Moving up to the bridge at Garlands Bend just in time to catch 215 climbing the hill and passing Northbound 224 and 168, both waiting for a chance to get down to Burnside for a crew change.


We had not really intended to go any further South, but as we where leaving Garlands Bend, a Southbound unit tank train came into view. A quick u-turn had us headed back South, and we caught up with it at Parkers Lake. Here is NS 68E as they get back on the move after meeting a Northbound.


TJ, EB and Butch at Parkers Lake waiting on a Northbound. Look out boys, the short bus is here to pick you up  ;D


On the way back North, we ran into several more Southbounds. Here, train 111 crosses the bridge at Burnside.


Sunday October 28th, we left our hotel in Harriman TN just after sunup, and soon realized the forecast for rain and wind was going to be right. We worked our way back North towards home, catching a steady stream of trains on the way. EB shot a lot more this day than I did, but I stayed warm and dry and still came away with a few good shots.

A Southbound grain train on the long tangent at Sunbright, TN


And another grain train later in the day at Flatrock Ky.

[Ponce de Leon]

Carmon....you are absolutely one of the finest railroad photographers I've had the pleasure to know. I think you're going to have to give me some lessons in creative composition. These are inspired images.

I know how Emmett and Butch must have felt about riding the "little bus." I'll always remember the day I passed from the second to the third grade. I was so excited, I forgot to shave that morning...

[butch]