Big Boy is Coming - For those interested in train photography

[rpcrowe]

I posted this for anyone who is interested in trains. In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad which united our Eastern United States with the West, the Union Pacific Big Boy is completing a cross country journey soon. Here's a video about Big Boy... However, it was shot in the very flat Midwest portion of our nation...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR6vNW5Js4U

The area between Victorville, California and Los Angeles, which includes the Cajon Pass, is quite rugged and picturesque.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...w=1454&bih=750

I have always thought about shooting a train traversing some area in that pass and this just might be a great opportunity, especially if I could find a spot along an upward grade in which the locomotive would be belching a lot of steam... This would be about an hour and a half drive from where I live. It just might be worth it!

[Shadowman]

Might be even more fun to shoot will riding, hope to see what you capture.

[pschlute]

Not a train enthusiast but I can see the interest. These engines are "what trains are supposed to look like".

I was lucky to see our Flying Scotsman this year close to home. Fame has brought it's own problems to her. So many people now cram the stations she passes through or trespass on the lines to get a special photo that the operators are getting concerned. They already have stopped publicising the routes she travels on to limit the crowds.

[rpcrowe]

Members of my photo club have researched this and I learned from them that the best lace to shoot this train would be Hill 582 at the Cajon Pass leading down towards sea level from the high desert around Victorville,California. Actually it would be better to catch the "Big Boy" on its way back East on the 12th of October. Since that segment of the trip would mean the locomotive chugging uphill on a grade that would probably produce the most smoke. Here is a video of the terrain as seen from Hill 582.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0ks...ature=youtu.be

Unfortunately, I am committed to shooting two or three ethnic events in San Diego that day. Although the
Big Boy" would be a great opportunity, I will be able to get more shots at those ethnic festivals for a LOT shorter drive (about 35 miles on way as opposed to a hundred miles).

Some of my club associates are really determined to photograph the train and plan to chase it a long way to get several different locations as backgrounds...

[Shadowman]

At least the club members scouting trip will prepare you for the next opportunity.

[Tri Danimal]

Do you have a date as to when the train is supposed to be in that area?

[RoseAbraham]

I've heard that Regular Travelers and commuter train passengers use various season tickets and subscriptions. Weekly dbreiseauskunft.com tickets are suitable for four trips per week and allow you to travel seven days on your chosen route in local and intercity service. If you have ten or more trips per month, monthly tickets make sense because they allow you to take many trips during the month on the same route on local and intercity transportation. You can even take another person with you for free on Saturdays. With a DB subscription, rail customers can travel on their chosen route for a year for the price of 10 months.

[pschlute]

I've heard that Regular Travelers and commuter train passengers use various season tickets and subscriptions

Not a lot gets past you eh ?