Chasing the Wabash Cannonball and a Nice Surprise

Ptrainman · January 28, 2014, 08:52:29 PM

This past Thursday (01/23/14) I got out for the first time in a month to shoot the 2nd most elusive Heritage Unit around these parts, The Wabash, made a daylight appearance leading 15T. When word got out that it was leading Wednesday night, plans started being made, but as you know, the best laid plans are bound to fail. 15T got a very late call out of Hagerstown which put him later than expected into the Shenandoah Valley. So instead of starting in Roanoke we headed up the Valley to give chase.

Everything can be found here in Hi-Res: http://southernrailsphotography.smugmug.com/Trains/Norfolk-Southern-Heritage/NS-1070-Wabash-Heritage-Unit/36652556_btKf3g

The Wabash leads two other EMDs and 4500ft of train through the snow covered Shenandoah Valley at Arcadia, VA on a Frigid January morning.

After a lengthy crew change in Roanoke, the 15T finally got on the move west and was clipping through Wabun at Track Speed. This is NOT the shot I was supposed to get, it was one of those Sucker-Hole in reverse deal. I had stood here for 15 mins staring at a beautiful sunlit shot only to have a cloud come over just as the train came into view. Needless to say its a good thing I was alone for this shot.

The 15T had to wait for the traffic jam to clear in Christiansburg so we had time to walk into Charleston Grade just west of Roanoke and bag him.

The Wabash blasts westbound past the WWII Veterans Memorial in Downtown Pulaski VA.

Now for the surprise. I was back in Roanoke on Saturday for the shop tours and ended up doing some night shots of the 1218. It was the first time I had ever even attempted anything at night but I think did ok.
The A poses under the Roanoke Skyline as a ghost train passes on Main 1.

Enjoy,
Paul

Matt L · January 28, 2014, 08:55:03 PM

OK? Your night shot is absolutely KILLER!

Ptrainman · January 28, 2014, 09:04:36 PM

Ok what? but Thanks man. That was the first time I had shot anything like that.

Paul

E.M. Bell · January 29, 2014, 04:36:27 PM

Arcadia and Solitude in the snow...only the fall could be better!

Ptrainman · January 29, 2014, 06:38:01 PM

Its definitely a nice spot EM. That was my first time up there. Samuel took me back in there.

Paul

Bill Richardson · January 29, 2014, 08:01:28 PM

I'm not an "old head", but I'll give you applause anyway. That night shot is special!

Matt L · January 29, 2014, 08:21:53 PM

Quote from: Ptrainman on January 28, 2014, 09:04:36 PM
Ok what?

I was asking why you thought it was just OK- your shot came out great.

Ptrainman · January 29, 2014, 08:56:39 PM

Quote from: Matt L on January 29, 2014, 08:21:53 PM
I was asking why you thought it was just OK- your shot came out great.

Got ya. I really appreciate it.

Paul

NSMoWandS · January 31, 2014, 11:38:37 AM

All in all... you got some great shots!!! What time was the "night" photo taken at? Just curious if there was still some light or you had a high exposure? DE Dan

Ptrainman · February 01, 2014, 09:38:26 AM

I guess it was probably around 630-700p. There was some light left but not much. Casey Thomason was there and we were using all his high tech flash equipment, so that's how the A is so well li. That shot right there was a 3-4 second exposure with the flashes set off while the shutter was open.

Paul