Holiday Express

Would appreciate any comments/impressions...Happy Holidays!

Great shot! I know this locomotive..the ultimate machine and have a recording of it doing around 100mph!!!

Almost surreal! Did you take any from this spot without the steam? - and did you consider cropping from the rhs?

IMO: the man in the right is disturbing. He takes my attention to soon. The locomotive and the steam is great.... cheers alex

Una exclente Postal de Navidad, perfecto trabajo, un cordial saludo Mark.

http://www.hectorbrandan.com/images/julio-carmona.gif

I'll agree that there are a number of options for this image. I myself had mixed feelings about the right hand side (crop or no crop), but (to me) the image just isn't the same without those elements; ultimately it captures what impressed me most at that moment. An unusual cold front through the Portland, OR area sent temps down into the low 20's which accentuated the venting steam and put a little snow on the ground...the bright light to the right came from a large bank of mercury vapor spotlights. IMO the people add sense of scale and mystery as they emerge from the brightly lit steam; the slow shutter speed rendered the child's right arm in the forefront "ghostly" which I just find eerie and interesting given the setting. All in all I've done very little to the image...the train itself is painted in orange, so I backed off the tungsten glow a bit.

John F. - Was that during its bicentennial run across the nation? I agree, an amazing machine.

John W. - No opportunity to get a pic without steam...I very much wanted to cross the tracks to get a shot from the other side, but for safety reasons it wasn't allowed.

Yes, during the bicentennial run. It stopped in Tucson and its arrival was poorly planned and announced. (How time flies)The only reason I happened on the arrival is because of ALL OF THE FOLKS in the house close to the railroad station, I was the only one who recognized the Whistle as NOT being a diesel. BTW the steam is not venting but comes from a set of turbines which generate electrical power. This locomotive is HUGE. the person is the picture is excellent because it sets the SCALE of this machine.

Looks like steam is coming from down low, too- maybe an air compressor?

This is a fabulous capture. It reminds me of the moveie ~The Polar Express!The man is a distraction somewhat but I think he's important nonetheless to put to scale the magnitude of the steam engine. Well captured. Happy New Year, Cheers, Iren

I like a lot, so clear, nice work. congratulations. ;o)

Nice job, I haven't had the opportunity to go to Portland to see the Holiday Express (I live in Corvallis.) I could go either way on the people in the right side of the photo, but I think I like them, it adds a human element to the mystique of steam. We are so fortunate to have preserved this magnificent machine. Have you ever been inside the Locomotive cab? There's a stunning inlaid Southern Pacific "Daylight" logo in the hardwood of the cab floor.

Fantastic

Thanks again to all for your feedback!

Randy -- I've not been inside myself, however my 12 year son (who gets me out to these events)has twice been invited up into the cab by the engineer. We did ride the train that evening and I was very impressed with the resoration throughout.

Mark, Great capture!! 7/7

your picture grabs the imagination... for me that overpowers any inclination to deduct for technical photography... great picture... congratulations

FANTASTIC VERY GOOD

It's a good work! Congrats.

Wow -- cool shot Mark !

 

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is that an elf on the lhs? love it when I find a shot I wish I had gotten a chance at.

 

excellent shot.

Southern Pacific Daylight, a beautiful locomotive. Wonderful display of lighting and steam. Lovely shot!