As the lack of recents posts atest to, I have been crazy busy lately. Not only have I been working a ton to finish a large project by year’s end at the office, but the holidays are upon us and we are entertaining out-of-state guests for a few weeks. As if that wasn’t enough, I have also spent all of my spare time learning a unique subject that has always interested me. Soon I will prepare a post on the topic and the byproduct of all my research and learning…
Our Best Trip Ever - Part 5 - Chasing at the La Posada Hotel
From a railfan’s perspective, the La Posada Hotel is blessed with a plethora of both, mainline trackage and plenty of traffic, that form the southern border of the property. Considering the hotel’s history, a place for weary travelers of the Santa Fe Railway Company to get some rest and good eats, this is by design. As such, the grounds provide a welcome sign of sorts admist the parch and arid landscape in this part of northern Arizona. Butted up against the platforms of the Winslow Amtrak station, a semi-circular brick plaza morphs into a walkway that leads directly to a portico and the lobby of the hotel. Today, as it was then, this area serves as fantastic train watching vantage point complete with wood rocking chairs for the guests to rock their cares away as they watch the parade of trains, from all points east and west, go by…
Amtrak Dual - Variations of a Photo
Trains at Los Angeles Union Station in HDR: Part 2
Trains at Los Angeles Union Station in HDR: Part 1
To help alleviate our financial woe I have begun take on some web and design consulting work leaving me with less time than I would like to create postings for ChasingSteel.com, let alone go out the far reaches of the California to take photographs. Hopefully the new year will bring better opportunities!
Over the course of the past week I filled the small holes of opportunity during my daily commutes with post-processing some photos from Los Angeles Union Station…
Poster Art: Travelers
As I exited the tunnel from Track 3 at Los Angeles Union Station and joined the tide of humanity, the hundreds of recently freed commuters that were rushing to the find their exits, I felt the pressure and the urgency that seems to be part of the daily commuting process. Making my way through the main waiting area of the terminal I passed several lines of people that seemed to consist of business travelers, family vacationers, and many others seeking to be elsewhere…
BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT: Provincial Supertramp
Amtrak's Pomona Station
Inspired by a Book to Try Something New
Poster Art: Passenger Service
I have been sick for two weeks now and I haven’t been able to go out and shoot photos lately. As I lounge on the sofa or bed, trying my best to recover, I have been playing around with some of my older photos. One technique I have been toying with is making poster art.
I like these posters and thought that others might like to see them as well. Let me know what you think. Today’s theme is “Passenger Service…”
The Memorial Day Weekend Mega Tour - Part 5
It felt good to rest. So much so that I rested the entire next day, Sunday, as well. I took that time to reflect on the trials of the Cima Subdivision experience and the triumphs from the Needles Subdivision. I still did not have my fill of chasing steel yet so I sat down with my iPad and made plans for Monday, Memorial Day…
(Apparently Just Amtrak's) 2010 National Train Day at Los Angeles Union Station
May 8, 2010, a date that I eargerly anticipated, had finally arrived! It was National Train Day (for 2010) and I was off to the festivities and fun to be had at the event held at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.
This was going to be my first National Train Day event and I was excited as a kid at Christmas about the possibilities that someone who loves all things rail might encounter at an event such as this. After making sure I had all my requisite gear safely secured in or on my backpack, I headed off to the Upland Metrolink station to catch a westbound commuter that would deliver me directly to Union Station in just under one hour’s time…
What's Wrong with this Pcture?
I was doing some post-processing work on my photos in preparation for upcoming blog post about the National Train Day events in Los Angeles a week ago and I came across this photo. Something just doesn’t seem right about it.
Can you spot it?
Post your answer as a comment below:
A Day Chasing Steam - The Santa Fe 3751 Heads South with San Diego Steam Special II - Part 3
Our savior, so to speak, declared that he was certain the San Diego Steam Special II would be stopping at “Poinsettia” for servicing which will take about an hour. He also said that the Santa Fe 3751 would be performing a series of run-bys at that location as well!
“Really?” I exclaimed as I gave Dan a raised-brow glance. “Let’s see where Poinsettia is,” I said as I pointed the man towards my truck…
A Day Chasing Steam - The Santa Fe 3751 Heads South with San Diego Steam Special II - Part 2
As I pulled away from the Fullerton Amtrak station parking lot, I began to estimate an approximate meeting location for both Dan and I and the 3751. Ultimately we decided to meet at the Junipero Serra Road in San Juan Capistrano, mostly because it was the closet point at which our paths converged. However, it turned out to be rather fortuitous for us with respect the 3751 as well…
A Day Chasing Steam - The Santa Fe 3751 Heads South with San Diego Steam Special II - Part 1
It was with much anticipation and uncertainty of the coming day’s outcome that I left for the Fullerton Amtrak Station to begin the chase of the San Diego Steam Special II and the 3751. I was already an hour or so behind schedule and as I packed the truck I realized that this trip was going to be different. Despite being aware of this special run since last year I found myself unprepared due to a series of family illnesses.
I normally travel with my best friend and rail scout, Debbie, my wife. Although she was willing to accompany me on this trip I felt she needed some rest so I fired up the Cummins diesel and headed out alone…
Trails & Rails ... & Podcasts?
According to the National Park Service’s web site, the Trails & Rails program “is an innovative partnership program between the National Park Service and Amtrak. This program provides rail passengers with educational opportunities that foster an appreciation of a selected region’s natural and cultural heritage; it promotes National Park Service areas and provides a value-added service to encourage train ridership. It also renews the long tradition of associating railroads with National Parks…
2010 National Train Day Events Map and Listing
It is a rare opportunity for you and your kids to get an up close and personal look at various aspects of railroading and railroads, both past and present, in America. This is a day that rail organizations, societies, companies, and communities share the magic and their love for trains.
I put together the following map to help you identify those celebrations and events that will be happening in your neighborhood so you can take advantage of this opportunity and make your plans today…
iPhone Art - "Now Arriving Track 11"
I arrived at Los Angeles’ Union Station during my commute today in time to see Amtrak’s westbound Sunset Limited (Amtrak #1) terminate its 1,700 mile journey from New Orleans a full fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. The northbound Coast Starlight (Amtrak #14) waits on Track 12 to depart shortly to Seattle…
National Train Day - Discover and Learn About Railroads and Trains
On May 8, 2010, in cities all across the land, there is going to be a celebration of America’s love for trains. Amtrak is hosting, with participation from cities and organizations, the 3rd annual National Train Day to commemorate the 141st anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad completion on May 10, 1869…