Jack OBrien
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 p.1 #1 · Train photo essay (12 pics) D2x | |
Nothing special about the photos, not looking for critique, just wanting to share with those that like this sort of thing. FWIW, I was using my D2x w/50mm f/1.8, a little bit of CP.
I went out around lunch time today to my closest tracks to see if anything was going on. I was astonished to see 3 trains 'parked' on the single track mainline where it goes over the Satilla River just north of Waycross, GA. So, I turned around and headed north to see why these trains were stopped. After crossing over the river, a few miles north the mainline splits up again into a double track. The double tracks are all new, trains can move pretty quickly coming through town now.
I found a hunting trail that took me to the tracks at the end of a signal block. Anyway, the first thing I see is this *heavy* southbound coal train, being pulled by two 4400 horsepower locomotives (GE AC4400). Only moving about 10MPH or so, he was under full throttle getting this train moving again, and I do mean the ground was literally shaking.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_006.jpg |
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Well, the coal train was pulling on past me when I heard a northbound train coming. I was hoping to get both trains in the shot, but it was not to be. This is the northbound being pulled by 3 EMD SD40-2 locomotives, 9000HP combined. This is one of the trains I had seen stopped on the mainline earlier. By now, he's running about 50mph.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_013.jpg |
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As I turned to grab another frame as these SD40's flew past me, imagine my surprise when I saw *another* southbound train heading towards me. Remember the coal train? He has to be stopped somewhere this side of the river, because there were three trains stopped on the mainline. So now we have two southbounds and two northbounds that are going to have to 'share' the single mainline over the river.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_020.jpg |
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Now, this is the southbound that was just coming into view in the previous photo. This is a container train, and have high priority in train movement. These are GE Evolution Series locomotives, *three* 4400HP engines. Here he's picking up speed moving through this signal block. Remember the coal train? It's somewhere ahead of this container train, stopped.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_024.jpg |
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Just to give you an idea of the *size* of these behemoths, here's a shot with the containers towering over me.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_027.jpg |
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Wow, while this container train is moving by me, I hear that *second* northbound train heading my way. Unfortunately, this container train is way too long to clear before this other train reaches me, so I start looking for a shot. Here is a glimpse between two contrainers as the northbound flies by.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_028.jpg |
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Wouldn't you know it, just as the container train was clearing, the other northbound had just cleared as well.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_029.jpg |
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I decided to give chase to the container train, so I headed south toward town. As I was coming into town, the coal train was stopped in the center of town. Hmm, I wondered what was going on. I went on down to an overpass where I knew that both the coal train and the container train would come. Much to my surprise, the *container train* had switched tracks and had passed the coal train. Here's the container train shagging south toward the intermodal depot in Jacksonville, FL
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_044.jpg |
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Just for grins, I turned and looked south as the container train come by me, and there I see an empty northbound coal train waiting to come through.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_045.jpg |
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Just another view as the container train comes below me
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_047.jpg |
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And finally, here is the coal train heading south under full power.
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http://www.jackobrienphoto.com/images/share/10292009/10292009_060.jpg |
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I missed two other shots I wanted to get when I was moving back to another place, but that doesn't really matter. It was really exciting to get to see this much activity within an hours time.
I hope you enjoyed 
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Glad you enjoyed them!