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eyepilot13 β NebraskaZephyr, Western Springs, IL
Published: 2012-09-23 21:39:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 4221; Favourites: 111; Downloads: 104
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9/22/12: I manage to get to the Racetrack and catch the Pioneer Zephyr IRM excursion to Galesburg... One of my more challenging shots! I'm on the southside of the tracks, away from foamers but an inbound BNSF UCT would block my shot so I race through the pedestrian underpass tunnel and climb the embankment just in time, but the UCT plays hell with my autofocus and the PZ comes racing by on M-2!Related content
Comments: 65
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There cringe, there assholes and frankly makes me wanna *KERMIT SUICID3*
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yea foamers get in the way it happened to me when i caught the penn central unit.
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So true! That's why I like going to more offbeat locations.
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yea i walk to no mans land sometimes
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The joy of railfanning!
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thats where i caught a sick power move.
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Oh, so interesting to see an old classy diesel in the modern age!
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Thanks!!! I sure had to get a shot! After all it was only a few blocks from my house!
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And a unit coal train almost got in my way!!!
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That's railfanning for you!
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The Burlington's E5s were a classic!
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Wow-- stunning capture! Iβm going to have to echo a lot of the comments posted above me-- they just donβt make passenger trains as appealing as they used to. Although the contrast between the vintage streamliner and the modern freight cars could emphasize that point, in the right light, those hoppers look just traditional enough to pass for a period steam-era freight, too. Cool shot however you look at it.
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Thank you so very much!!! 
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Well you're most welcome. A pic like this deserves some attention!
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Yeah, those foamers can be annoying. I've had last minute catches myself here and there too. The most recent one was in Lancaster, PA. I had just gotten off of a westbound Amtrak Keystone train when I noticed something approaching on the eastbound track. To my astonishment, it was an extremely rare Amtrak dash-8 wearing the original Phase IV colors and running light to God only knows where! I felt like Rocky Balboa after racing up the steps to the overpass and then practically slid down the railing on the other side onto the eastbound platform. I am so out of breath that I thought I was going to drop dead on the platform at any minute! I fumbled with my backpack to get my camera out of it's pouch, but of course, the damn zipper gets stuck! I finally freed my camera just in time as the magnificent dash-8 rumbled past the platform with ditch lights flashing and bell ringing! I slumped down on the bench after it passed and simply thought to myself: "Damn, that was worth it!"
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You are a true railfan...I salute you!
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Thank you, especially after I almost died of a heart attack from running up and down those stairs!
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I know the feeling!!!!
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well reward for the effort fine perspective shot of this beautiful train, full marks!
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Still a fantastic capture. I've always believed that the frame and subject are a lot more important than the lighting when it comes to chasing trains. Anyone can snap a perfect shot of a stationary object, but to catch the varnish barreling along in a semi-darkness like this takes a little more. Bravo! I would give it an 8.5 out of ten. The one piece of advice I can give you is, when shooting fast moving objects, turn off the AF, focus ahead of your target and snap the shutter when you are in focus. Here's an example: [link] This was taken in turn 4 at Mosport, the fastest turn on the track, (which the Audi's were taking at around 245 to 260 km/h, or around 150-160 mph back then) with a Canon 300D Rebel 18-55mm kit lens. It's not perfect, but the entire kit cost less than the pros' lens hood.
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Thanks for the advice!!! I'm glad you rate the shot so highly! I literally had less than 60 seconds to set the shot! A UCT was blocking my first set up and then I had to race under to the other side of the tracks! I appreciate your comment and advice!!!
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What I like about the shot is that you get the sensation of speed from it, it really feels like the 'Streak is living up to it's name in this image
I recently bought the Kato N scale Silver Streak box set, so this image spoke to me even more as a result.
The trick with the focus I learned of necessity, my old A-1 didn't have AF and film was expensive!
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Thanks man! I really appreciate your great comments!
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To me, that's what makes a great photographer, being able to improvise on the spot and get the shot anyway. Some might tell you to crop the image on the right, but I think the reflected headlights actually add to the image and would personally keep it just as it is.
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Thanks!! I totally agree!
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When the classic still rollin, this is nice
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Thank you!!!~ 
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Woo! Didn't even know this sucker was on the loose! Speaking of passenger antics, Amcrash 890 just did a test run on the way to St Louis, 110mph between mp75 -90.5. Didn't these old passenger trains run 100+mph regularly a half century ago?
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Not certain...but I really think they did...The Zephyr was racing!!!!!
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This is a great picture.
The St. Louis Museum of Transportation has a engine much like the one pictured here.
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Thanks!!!!!!
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One of my friends out there was also on this side of the tracks at some place and a metra train blocked his view right as it passed.
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Yes! there were two Metras and the UCT! Challenging to say the least!
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YES!there were two Metras and a UCT..IT was hard to get a shot!
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