Union Pacific Steam Engine No. 844

tisun

I am not an avid train fan, but when a steam train came to town, I had to see it. I am partial to train because I ride it everyday for my commute. Union Pacific's last steam engine, No. 844, is making its way around the western US (schedule). It went through the SF bay area a couple days ago.

I wanted to catch it running on the track but there was no exact information on which track as there were multiple tracks from Oakland to Niles Canyon that it could go on. We initially chose the track that Amtrak trains go through, like here:




But that turned out to be the wrong track according to voice communication from a scanner belonging a train enthusiast. We knew this was an issue, so the spot we picked was near the crossroads of the two possible routes. All we had to do was to walk about a mile to the other track. Then, waited...



and waited...




Then, it came eventually. I had hoped that it would blow steam as it approached and set up my camera in portrait orientation. But it wasn't to be...



And still no steam...



It zipped by us.



And steam...



The magnificent sounds made by a steam engine are so different from those made by a diesel engine. My partner in crime, Ken (in shot #2 above), recorded the sounds of the train approaching and zipping by us. Sweet recording -- I feel like I was there again.

nosmo

tisun wrote:

I am not an avid train fan, but when a steam train came to town, I had to see it. I am partial to train because I ride it everyday for my commute. Union Pacific's last steam engine, No. 844, is making its way around the western US (schedule). It went through the SF bay area a couple days ago.

Then, it came eventually. I had hoped that it would blow steam as it approached and set up my camera in portrait orientation. But it wasn't to be...

nice shot, the color treatment really works well for me.
I thought about heading out to Sunol - then realized the paper I was reading was a couple of days old...

Analog6

Nice shots, Steve. I especially like the third steam loco shot with the eye contact with the engineman as the train steams away. The best way to get a show of steam is to be along or at the end of a climbing portion of line, even a slight gradient will usually produce steam as it gets the engine working a bit harder than a flat.

aktse

I'm so glad that you went out and tracked the train down.

tisun wrote:

Love! clap

And the conductor is looking at you too!

a110p0

Wow, those are some cool trains. Nice captures.

Alvin

tisun

nosmo wrote:

nice shot, the color treatment really works well for me.
I thought about heading out to Sunol - then realized the paper I was reading was a couple of days old...

nosno, thanks. I also forgot about the stopover in Oakland. Someone reminded me later that day. It was a good thing it wasn't too late for the departure.

tisun

a110p0 wrote:

Wow, those are some cool trains. Nice captures.

Alvin

Thanks, Alvin. By the way, I thought of you when I saw the old train station in Niles. It's propped up on stilts for renovation and may make an interesting light painting shot.

tisun

Analog6 wrote:

Nice shots, Steve. I especially like the third steam loco shot with the eye contact with the engineman as the train steams away. The best way to get a show of steam is to be along or at the end of a climbing portion of line, even a slight gradient will usually produce steam as it gets the engine working a bit harder than a flat.

Analog6, it now makes sense. In the last shot in which the train blew steam, the train began going uphill into the tunnel. No wonder there were many people standing there. I didn't want to go there because I didn't want to get in their way. In hindsight, I should have walked past those people.

tisun

aktse wrote:

I'm so glad that you went out and tracked the train down.



Love! clap

And the conductor is looking at you too!

April, thank you.