Jim Pearson – Page 2 – Jim and April's Roadtrips

Ten days chasing steam in Colorado!

March 22, 2024 Jim Pearson Comments 0 Comment

Man, where to begin with this post? Last October 2023 I spent almost two weeks with friend Bryan Burton and several others on two different steam train charters in Colorado and part of New Mexico. I’ve railfanned the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad before, but not on the end of the line between Antonito and Osier, Colorado. However, the first charter was on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad between Durango and Silverton, Colorado and has been on my bucket list of places to photograph for a very long time and it didn’t disappoint at all!

One of the many photo lines on our Durango Photo Charter Trip. Bryan is in the center of this shot, along with from left, fellow friends Jeffery Stoner and William Diehl. In spite of having around 70 people on this charter, everyone pretty much got along and shared spots as we usually did several photo runbys at each location.

This shot was from my window seat on the first flight I’ve taken since before COVID-19 began in 2019. I tried to do a iPhone post daily during my trip and this is one such shot.

From this 10 day trip, only about 5 of the days were actually on the photo charters and the rest were days when we chased trains on our own! In case you’re not familiar on how these charters work, each one is limited to a certain number of people, Durango was about 70 and Cumbres was about 40 people. The way things worked was we all started the day on both charters before sunrise where we all boarded our trains and were taken to our first photo location for the sunrise. Everyone would get off the train and our leaders would establish photo lines where everyone stood and then the train would back up the line and steam past our location so we could photograph and video the train. Most locations they would do several run-bys so people could change spots between each run.

The days were long and the altitude was between 9,000 and just over 10,000 feet and the body of this 73 year old knew it! Fortunately my walking 10,ooo steps a day normally, helped greatly with the loading and unloading in the high altitude and thin air. I’ll admit that after a 10 -12 hour day, by the time we got back to our hotel at night, my feet were ready for a rest!!

Rather than talking about the day by day events I’ll just let some of my pictures from the trip do the talking for me and finish this trip post up by saying, this was one of the best charter trips I think I’ve ever been on and a big shout out to the Durango and Silverton for their excellent charter and to Dak Dillon Photography for organizing and hosting the Cumbres charter!

If you want to see more images from this trip visit this link! I’ll also include a video below from the trip for your viewing pleasure!

Denver and Rio Grande Western steam locomotive 476 leads a daily passenger train as they pull around Granite Point, just outside of Rockwood, Colorado, as they head to Silverton, CO, on October 15th, 2023.

Denver and Rio Grande Western double header steam locomotives 473 and 493 pull one of several daily passenger trains south through Deadwood Gulch, as they approach Silverton, Colorado on October 15th, 2023.

Denver and Rio Grande Western double header steam locomotives 473 and 493 pull south out of Durango with a daily passenger train, bound for Silverton, Colorado on October 15th, 2023.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge steam locomotive D&RGW 473 leads a K-28 100th Anniversary Special as they head through the curve at Goblin Fire, Milepost 480.5, between Durango and Silverton, Colorado, on October 16th, 2023, with mid-train helper D&RGW 476.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge steam locomotive D&RGW 473 leads a passenger train as it heads to Durango, Colorado from Goblin Fire (480.5) on October 17th, 2023.

Denver and Rio Grande Western steam charter with locomotives 476 and mid-train helper 473 pull a freight and passenger train through Horseshoe Curve during our two-day charter between Durango and Silverton, Colorado on October 17th, 2023. The lead locomotive had just finished a blowdown, resulting in a rainbow in the steam cloud. A blowdown is a way to get minerals and other contaminants out of the system. Engines want to be on a bridge or trestle because the blow down itself can reach 30+ feet at an angle away from the firebox with live steam.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 463 passes through the curve headed up to the Lava Water Tank at sunrise, between Antonito and Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 19th, 2023.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 463 leads an early morning freight past the Lava water tank. as it heads west at sunrise, out of Antonito, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 19th, 2023.

The glow of the rising sun illuminates Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 463 as it leads an early morning freight west approaching Lava water tank, out of Antonito, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October19th, 2023.

The glow of the morning sun illuminates the horizon as Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 463 makes its way through the Lava Curve with a freight train on the way to Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 19th, 2023.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 463 makes its way across High Bridge with a freight train on the way to Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 19th, 2023.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 passes over Ferguson’s Trestle at MP 285.87 at sunrise as it heads to Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 20th, 2023.

Cross Country trip to Washington Sate and Back

March 22, 2024 Jim Pearson Comments 0 Comment

Well, I’m finally working on getting caught up on my posts here on the JA Roadtrips Blog! Sis has been a bit better on posting here lately to the site than I have been, but if you want to see posts from me daily, pay a visit to my main website at jimpearsonphotography.com where you can also find links to all my Social Media Accounts where I post pretty much daily.

As sis says in her post from our Washington State trip, we both had a great time and got to meet up with family and friends along the way, which is always nice during our trips. I was happy to finish off my 50th state on this trip when we cruised through Oregon on this trip. Sis is doing Hawaii with her daughter and her husband this year in May and it’s her 49th state. I guess we’ll have to plan something down the road to get to Alaska as it is the last state she hasn’t visited.

Our trip lasted for 15 days and we covered a bit over 6,000 miles during the two weeks we were on the road! I of course was interested in finding trains as always, but also enjoyed seeing other sites and places along the way, including Yellowstone National Park, where I’ve never been. Sis had been there before, but of course she was more than happy to visit it again!

We both enjoy traveling a lot and while COVID put a damper on our travels for over two years, it’s nice to be able to hit the road again to see new sites and locations.

While this post is about our cross country trip, I do have another coming up from a 10 day train photo charter I did in Colorado last fall, so stay tuned for that one! I have some other plans for trips this year, one of which will be a train photo charter to Vermont in the fall, and hopefully a few small train trips before then. Stay tuned!

Below you’ll find some of my favorite images from our trip that were made on my iPhone!

Nevada Northern Railway – A bucket list location checked off my list!

April 2, 2022 Jim Pearson Comments 0 Comment

Bryan Burton watches the landscape as we move to our next photo runby location as I take a photo of him and the train passing in the background out the window.

I have been wanting to visit and photograph the Nevada Northern Railway for several years now and has been on my bucket list! Well, in February I met up with fellow railfan and friend Bryan Burton from Denver Colorado, at Las Vegas, Nevada after my first airline flight since the start of COVID back in 2020! The flight was packed both ways, but everyone did as they were requested and kept their masks on and whenever possible kept socially distant! From Vegas we drove to Ely, Nevada for the Nevada Northerns 2022 Winter Photography Charter!

It was a beautiful weekend, even though we didn’t have what I’d call much of winter event as for the most part it was in the 50’s during the day and the only snow we had was whatever was left over in the shady parts of the landscape. Still we had a great time and I came back with a lot of great photos which are in a gallery below!

Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotives 93 and 81 pose next to the coaling tower and water tank in the year during the museums Winter Photo Charter at Ely, Nevada, under a cold, but beautiful starry night on February 11th, 2022 . Locomotive #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored to service in 1993. The Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive it was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm @ 15mm, f/4, 25 seconds, ISO 320. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Nevada Northern Railway engine 93 backs through the yard from the engine house to the coaling tower and water tank as engineer Jim Montague and fireman, Will Ebbert, keep an eye on the track ahead. They were moving the engine into place to get things lined up for the museums Winter Photo Charter night shoot at Ely, Nevada, as the setting sun, bathed the scene in dramatic light on the evening of February 11th, 2022. Locomotive #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored to service in 1993. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon Sigma 150-600mm @ 280mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 360. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Nevada Northern Railway engine 93 sits quietly chuffing away, as beams of sunlight stream through the engine house windows after another day of work at Ely, Nevada on February 11th, 2022. Locomotive #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored to service in 1993. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm @ 10mm, f/4.5, 1/320, ISO 1000. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Nevada Northern Railway brakeman Nick Scheresky signals to the engineer on locomotive 109 to go ahead and clear the switch, as they head back toward the engine house at Ely, Nevada on February 11th, 2022. Locomotive #109 Alco RS-3 built in 1950, 78426, 1800 (1200) hp, 1370 produced. It was bought new by Kennecott in November of 1950 for EX-Ray Mines but was never delivered to them. It was sent to Kennecott Copper Corp and was later sold to LA Department of Water and Power and now is in service at the Nevada Northern. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 280mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 360. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Mike Hughes, the fireman on Nevada Northern Railway #81, throws a switch in the yard at Ely, Nevada on February 13th, 2022 during the museums winter photo charter event as the train waits to move forward. Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm @ 200mm, f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 140. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

After dropping its ashes from a days work, Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #81 prepares to pull away from the ash pit as the light fades from the sky during the museums 2022 Winter Photo Charter event on February 12th, 2022, at Ely, Nevada. I was hoping to get the ash dump in the photo, but the crew did such a good job on firing today that there was only enough ashes for one drop and it of course happened when I wasnt ready! LOL. Sometimes it happens! According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception. Locomotive #81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 18mm, f/5, 1/400, ISO 125, Exp. Comp.: -1.0. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #81 pulls a passenger train through one of the S curves in Robinson Canyon under the control of engineer Don Hepler, as it heads south out of Ely, Nevada during the museums Winter Photo Charter event as the light begins to drop behind the mountains on February 13th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception. Engine #81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 210mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 250. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Early morning golden light rakes across the engine house as Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #93 pulls out into the frigid air at Ely, Nevada on track 2, as #81 waits its turn on track three, during the museums 2022 Winter Photo Charter event on February 12th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception. According to the NNRY website, #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored back into service in 1993. Locomotive #81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 116mm, f/4.8, 1/400, ISO 100, Exp. Comp.: -1.0. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #93 pulls a wreck train southbound towards Robinson Canyon as it departs Ely, Nevada on the final day of their 3-day Winter Photography Charter on February 13th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception. Locomotive #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored to service in 1993. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #nevadanorthernrailway #steamtrain

Ive been wanting to visit the Nevada Northern Railway for several years now and finally was able to do so during the Winter Steam Charter over the weekend of February 11-13th, 2022. I had a great trip and although drones werent allowed during the photo runbys, we chased by car on Sunday afternoon so we could grab some aerials as the train was moving between runby locations in Robinson Canyon. Here we see Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #91 pulling a work train southbound through the Canyon out of Ely, Nevada as the light begins to fall behind the mountains on February 13th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception. Engine #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored to service in 1993. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Nevada Northern Railway engine 81 chases its shadow past the Repair in Place (RIP) building as it moves through the yard at Ely, Nevada on February 13th, 2022. The Repair in place building, which is better known as the RIP, and during the ore carrying days ore cars led a very rough life, between being banged with shovels, boulders being dropped into them and wear and tear of everyday use. The RIP was built to allow repair of the cars indoors, whereas before they were repaired outdoors all year long. Today the building is used for ongoing restoration projects by the museum. Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 78mm, f/4.5, 1/8000, ISO 1000. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Engineer Dale Olson keeps a watchful eye on the tracks as he backs Nevada Northern Railway engine 81 out of the engine house, past the Repair in Place (RIP) building, as it heads toward the coaling tower at Ely, Nevada on February 13th, 2022 in the early morning light. The Repair in place building, which is better known as the RIP, and during the ore carrying days ore cars led a very rough life, between being banged with shovels, boulders being dropped into them and wear and tear of everyday use. The RIP was built to allow repair of the cars indoors, whereas before they were repaired outdoors all year long. Today the building is used for ongoing restoration projects by the museum. Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 100mm, f/4.5, 1/8000, ISO 720. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

The frigid early morning air and backlight sunlight makes for a dramatic photo with streams of sunlight passing through the steam, as Nevada Northern Railway engine 81 sits outside of the engine house as the crew gets it ready for another day at Ely, Nevada on February 13th, 2022. Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm @ 14mm, f/4, 1/8000, ISO 500. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

The frigid early morning air and backlight sunlight makes for a dramatic photo of Nevada Northern Railway engine 81 as it backs out of the engine house under the control of engineer Jim Montague and fireman, Dale Olson, as they get equipment ready for another day at Ely, Nevada on February 13th, 2022. Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm @ 24mm, f/4.5, 1/8000, ISO 450. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

A crew member on Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #81 follows his engine out the engine house door at they prepare for the days activities at Ely, Nevada during the museums Winter Photo Charter event with engineer on the morning of February 13th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception. Engine #81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 24mm, f/4.5, 1/60, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Its noisy, bumpy, hot, smells and not a lot of room, but also exciting, fun and awe inspiring to experience a living, breathing steam locomotive from its cab!! Ive got a video of the experience Im working on for a future post, as I couldnt post live on Facebook during the cab ride because of Federal Railroad Association rules. In the meantime, enjoy this still shot of Nevada Northern Railway fireman, Mike Hughes as he tends to the fire on locomotive #81, while Will Ebbert stands on the gangway in the background, keeping an eye on the track ahead, as they head toward Hi Line Junction, outside Ely, Nevada on February 13th, 2022. Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/3.5, 1/320, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #81 pulls a passenger train through Steptoe Valley as it heads toward Ely, Nevada during the museums Winter Photo Charter event with engineer Dale Olson at the controls the morning of February 13th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception. Engine #81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 19mm, f/4.2, 1/2000, ISO 140. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Nevada Northern Railway #81 runs with a short passenger train through Moser Cut on the high line as it heads toward the the Steptoe Valley and Ely, Nevada on February 13th, 2022 during the museums winter photo charter event. Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 112mm, f/4.8, 1/2000, ISO 320. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Nevada Northern Railway #81 makes its way through Moser Cut on the high line as it heads toward Ely, Nevada on February 13th, 2022 during the museums winter photo charter event. Nevada Northern No. 81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 210mm, f/5.3, 1/1600, ISO 220.

Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #93 pulls out of tunnel one as it heads southbound through Robinson Canyon after departing Ely, Nevada during the final day of their 3-day Winter Photography Charter on February 13th, 2022. Locomotive #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored to service in 1993. According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 165mm, f/5, 1/2000, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #steamtrains #nevadanorthernrailway

Off on another railfan trip to Strasburg, Pennsylvania

April 2, 2022 Jim Pearson Comments 0 Comment

Norfolk Southern 4041 leads an intermodal through Horseshoe Curve at Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Well, despite COVID and the fact that we had both our shots, fellow railfan Ryan Scott and I set off on a weeklong trip to take part in a photography charter at the Strasburg Railroad in Strasburg, Pennsylvania from November 3rd – 8th of 2021! This was my second trip to Strasburg as my sister April and I visited there a year or so before COVID reared its ugly head! Ryan and I took a couple days going and coming so we could railfan along the way and several days in the Strasburg area during our charter.

For those that aren’t aware of what a photography charter is, it’s where a group charters a train for a specific purpose, which in our case was to photograph or video the train during special photography runbys where we get off the train and various locations and the train crews run the train past us or pose for photos. It gives photographers a chance to capture photos that you wouldn’t be able to capture otherwise due to inaccessible or remote locations. Each person that participate pays a fee for the ability to participate. Ryan and I along with several other friends we know had a great time and I’ve added some of my favorite photos from the trip to a gallery below.

Locomotives galore sit outside the Norfolk Southern Juniata Locomotive Shops in downtown Altoona, Pennsylvania in this birds-eye view on November 3rd, 2021. The shops are just part of the large complex called Altoona Works, or Altoona Terminal on the NS Roanoke District. According to Wikipedia: Altoona Works (also known as Altoona Terminal) is a large railroad industrial complex in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It was built between 1850 and 1925 by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) to supply the railroad with locomotives, railroad cars and related equipment. For many years it was the largest railroad shop complex in the world. From the NS Website: At our Juniata locomotive shop in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Norfolk Southern regularly recycles locomotives into more efficient machines, benefiting both customers and the environment. We can strip a locomotive down to the bare frame and completely rebuild it, including the engine, alternator, wiring, cab, trucks, combos and running gearall in 6.5 days. NS also operates our own indoor locomotive emissions-testing facility, unique among railroads, which allows us to test locomotives year-round to increase fuel efficiency and meet EPA regulations. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/120, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern 4041, 1843, and 8016 lead an intermodal through Horseshoe Curve at Altoona, Pennsylvania as it heads west on the NS Pittsburgh Line on a beautiful fall afternoon, on September 3rd, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Horseshoe Curve is a three-track (though originally four) railroad curve on Norfolk Southern Railway’s Pittsburgh Line in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The curve itself is about 2,375 feet long and 1,300 feet in diameter; it was completed in 1854 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a way to lessen the grade to the summit of the Allegheny Mountains. It eventually replaced the time-consuming Allegheny Portage Railroad, the only other route across the mountains for large vehicles. Because of the Allegheny Mountains geoform, in and around Altoona – and almost perfectly at “The Curve” – westbound traffic goes south and eastbound traffic goes north. So, in terms of final destination, the southern side of “The Curve” is where trains leave to go west, and vice versa. The rail line has been important since its opening, and during World War II the Curve was targeted by Nazi Germany in 1942 as part of Operation Pastorius. The Curve was later owned and used by Pennsylvania Railroad successors Penn Central, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern. Horseshoe Curve was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, and it became a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2004. Horseshoe Curve has long been a tourist attraction; a trackside observation park was completed in 1879. The Park was renovated, and a visitor center built in the early 1990s. The Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona manages the center, which has exhibits pertaining to the curve. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/725, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern 9629 leads an intermodal train as they chase the sun west past the Alto Tower next to the 17th Street overpass at Altoona, Pennsylvania as they head west on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line on November 3rd, 2021. Alto tower went vacant for the first time in over 97 years back on June 16th, 2012 when signal crews shifted the authority from the Alto control operator to a NS train dispatcher, according to a NEWSWIRE report by TRAINS Magazine. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/40, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern 7603 and 8410 approach the western entrance to the Gallitzin Tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania as they head west on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line on November 3rd, 2021, with an empty coal train. According to Wikipedia: The Gallitzin Tunnels in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, are a set of three adjacent tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains in western Pennsylvania. They were completed in 1854, 1855, and 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of the cross-state route that includes the nearby Horseshoe Curve to the east. Their ownership has since passed to Penn Central Transportation Company, then to Conrail, and most recently to the Norfolk Southern Railway. The tunnels are currently used by Norfolk Southern freight trains and Amtrak Pennsylvanian passenger trains. The first tunnel, which is the middle of the three bores through the mountain, was built by the PRR from 1851 to 1854. Originally named “Summit” Tunnel, it is 3,612 feet long at an elevation of 2,167 feet above mean sea level and is known today as the Allegheny Tunnel. The second tunnel, the southernmost of the bores, was constructed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1852 to 1855 as part of the New Portage Railroad (NPRR). In 1857, the PRR bought the New Portage Railroad from the Commonwealth and appropriated the “Allegheny” name for its “Summit” tunnel. The PRR took the New Portage Tunnel out of service shortly thereafter. In the 1890s, it was expanded to two tracks and used as the primary route for eastbound traffic. The third tunnel, the Gallitzin Tunnel, was begun in 1902 and opened in 1904 immediately to the north of the Allegheny Tunnel. In the early 1990s, Conrail (with money from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) enlarged the Allegheny and New Portage Tunnels to accommodate double-stack container on flatcar (COFC) trains. The New Portage Tunnel was opened for eastbound COFC traffic in 1993. The Allegheny Tunnel was enlarged from its original 1854 cross-section to contain two tracks for that could be used for double-stack rail transport in either direction. The work was completed in September 1995, and the Gallitzin Tunnel (which was not enlarged) was taken out of service. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 22mm, f/4.5, 1/800, ISO 560. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk Southern 9790 leads a westbound intermodal on the NS Reading Number 2 line as it approaches the George Street overpass at Reading, Pennsylvania as the last light of day rakes across the scene on November 4th, 2021. This location is where the Pottsville Branch main starts off the Reading line and heads into the NS Reading Yard. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm, f/4.5, 1/200, ISO 6400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad Rail Diesel Car 9168 leads as the engineer pulls past the depot at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on a beautiful fall afternoon on the mountain railroad on November 4th, 2021. According to their website: The Reading and Northern Railroad owns and operates self-propelled Rail Diesel Cars #9166, #9167, and #9168. The cars were built by the former Budd Company of Philadelphia in the 1950’s for commuter use by various railroads. The Reading and Northern Railroad invested a lot of money on all three cars with many updates including an ornately painted ceiling in all cars. The #9166 includes functioning windows and a clean restroom. This RDC consists of a coach and a kitchen in which refreshments and snacks are served. Make new friends at the counter area or sit-down area of the refreshment area! The #9167 is also a complete coach with padded seats that flip, functioning windows, and a clean restroom on board. The #9168 contains comfortable bus-style seating which maneuver in both directions. This coach also includes functioning windows and a clean restroom. According to Wikipedia: The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad, sometimes shortened to Reading and Northern Railroad, is a regional railroad in eastern Pennsylvania. Its headquarters is in Port Clinton. The RBMN provides freight service on 300 miles of track. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern 4414 leads a freight train westbound across the Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River at Rockville, Pennsylvania on the NS Pittsburgh line as they head for Enola Yard at Enola, PA on November 5th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: The Rockville Bridge is the longest stone masonry arch railroad viaduct ever built, with forty-eight 70-foot spans and a total length of 3,820 feet (1,160 m). The bridge crosses the Susquehanna River about 5 miles (8 km) north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The eastern end is in Rockville and the western end is just south of Marysville. Completed in 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, it remains in use today by the Norfolk Southern Railway and Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian route. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1979. The first bridge at the site was a one-track wooden truss. It opened on September 1, 1849, when the PRR began operating over it. The Northern Central Railway began to use it after abandoning their Marysville Bridge. It was replaced in 1877 with a double-track iron truss bridge. The third and current bridge was built between April 1900 and March 1902 by Drake & Stratton Co., which built the eastern half, and H.S. Kerbaugh, working from the west. The laborers were Italian or local. Control of the bridge passed to Penn Central after the PRR merger in 1968, then to Conrail and finally the Norfolk Southern. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Reading & Northern 2010 heads up a freight train as it passes under the signal bridge at Pulpit, on its way south out of their yard at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania, bound for Redding, PA on November 5th, 2021. This location must be one of the most railfan friendly rail operations Ive encountered in a long time! Our first day here we met up with fellow railfan Ryan Bruno who railfans the area a lot and he gave us the tour and told us all we had to do is stop at the yard office, sign in and theyd give us a pass to shoot in the yard, while keeping all normal safety practices in mind! We had a great time! This photo was taken on our second day chasing the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, after returning for the early morning sun. It was worth it! They run a passenger service with Steam, but we arrived a week too late to photograph their steam operations. According to Wikipedia: The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (reporting mark RBMN), sometimes shortened to Reading and Northern Railroad, is a regional railroad in eastern Pennsylvania. Its headquarters is in Port Clinton. The RBMN provides freight service on 300 miles (480 km) of track. Its mainline consists of the Reading Division between Reading and Packerton and the Lehigh Division between Lehighton and Dupont. Its main freight cargo is anthracite coal. Passenger excursions also run on RBMN tracks. The RBMN itself operates excursion service from Reading and Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe, while the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) offers service between Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge State Park. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Reading Northern Blue Mountain Railroad switcher 1546 passes the sand tower as it works the yard at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on a beautiful fall morning on November 5th, 2021 According to Wikipedia: The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (reporting mark RBMN), sometimes shortened to Reading and Northern Railroad, is a regional railroad in eastern Pennsylvania. Its headquarters is in Port Clinton. The RBMN provides freight service on 300 miles (480 km) of track. Its mainline consists of the Reading Division between Reading and Packerton and the Lehigh Division between Lehighton and Dupont. Its main freight cargo is anthracite coal. Passenger excursions also run on RBMN tracks. The RBMN itself operates excursion service from Reading and Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe, while the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) offers service between Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge State Park. According to their website: Locomotive 1546 is an EMD SW-1500, built in Feb 1970 and is ex CR 1606; Indianapolis Union Rwy 28; nee EMD demo 112. It is passing engine 5017, an EMD SD50, built in November of 1984 and is ex UP 5017; nee MP 5017. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20 @19mm, f/4.2, 1/320, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

A crew member sits in the window on Strasburg Railroad steam locomotive #89, as they wait to depart with the last train of the day on the Strasburg Railroad on November 6th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Canadian National) No. 89 is a 2-6-0 “Mogul” type steam locomotive originally built by the Canadian Locomotive Company in February 1910 for the Canadian National Railway. It is now owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania where it resides today for use on excursion trains. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/4, 20 seconds, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #trainsatnight #steamtrains

Everett Railroad #11 pulls out of downtown Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, from their depot, as it heads off on the next leg of a Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special on November 6th, 2021. According to their website: Steam locomotive number 11 was constructed in 1920 by the Cooke Works of the American Locomotive Company (Alco) in Paterson, New Jersey. It is a “2‑6‑0” or “Mogul” type and was one of 54 engines of four different wheel arrangements built between 1920 and 1925 intended for export to Cuba and use in that country’s sugar cane fields. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 140. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Everett Railroad #11 heads through the countryside after crossing over the Juniata River bridge at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania during a Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special on November 6th, 2021. According to their website: Steam locomotive number 11 was constructed in 1920 by the Cooke Works of the American Locomotive Company (Alco) in Paterson, New Jersey. It is a “2‑6‑0” or “Mogul” type and was one of 54 engines of four different wheel arrangements built between 1920 and 1925 intended for export to Cuba and use in that country’s sugar cane fields. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

The Conductor on Norfolk and Western 475 watches the countryside roll-by as they depart with the last passenger train of the day, eastbound at dusk after, pulling in reverse out of the depot at the Strasburg Railroad the last light of the day barley illuminates the train and steam. The cold November air produces a spectacular show of steam trailing along the train on November 6th, 2021 at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Once they reach their turn around point down the line they will reverse the locomotive by running around the train and head back to the station. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 2.5 sec, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

The last passenger train of the day departs eastbound at dusk after, pulling in reverse out of the depot at the Strasburg Railroad the last light of the day begins to fade. The cold November air produces a spectacular show of steam trailing along the train on November 6th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Once they reach their turn around point down the line, they will reverse the locomotive at Leaman Place Junction in Paradise, PA, by running around the train and then make a normal pull back to the station. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/15 sec, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Everett Railroad #11 sits just outside the station at Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania as it takes on water for the next leg of a Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special on November 6th, 2021. According to their website: Steam locomotive number 11 was constructed in 1920 by the Cooke Works of the American Locomotive Company (Alco) in Paterson, New Jersey. It is a “2‑6‑0” or “Mogul” type and was one of 54 engines of four different wheel arrangements built between 1920 and 1925 intended for export to Cuba and use in that country’s sugar cane fields. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 220. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk and Western 4-8-0 steam locomotive 475 pulls a freight train as it makes its way west through the Amish countryside into the setting sun, on the Strasburg Railroad at Strasburg, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/180, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #steamtrain #steamlocomotive #strasburgrailroad

Strasburg Railroad caboose #12 brings up the rear of a mixed freight as steam locomotive Norfolk & Western 475 leads their train west into the setting sun at Strasburg, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/8000, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #steamtrain

Norfolk and Western 475 passes a group of Amish boys and cows, as they make their way west though a farm crossing, at the location known as Carpenters/Beilers, on the Strasburg Railroad at Paradise, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/6000, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Conductor Christopher Pollock keeps a watchful eye from the caboose as Norfolk and Western 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad on November 7th, 2021 at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/4, 1/1000, ISO 2800. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk and Western 475 peeks over the hill as it climbs the grade headed westbound up the long curve coming out of Leaman Place Junction at Paradise, PA, on the Strasburg Railroad as they head toward Strasburg, PA, on November 7th, 2021 in the early morning light. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 300mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 400.

Norfolk and Western 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad at dawn as the cold November air produces a spectacular show of steam trailing, as the train approaches the Esbenshade Road Crossing on November 7th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Rail Road outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 360. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains

As the rising sun begins to light the sky, Norfolk and Western 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad at dawn, through the cold autumn air as it approaches the Esbenshade Road Crossing on November 7th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 280. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk and Western 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad at sunrise as the cold November air produces a spectacular show of steam trailing, as the train approaches the Esbenshade Road Crossing on November 7th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 36mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 360. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk and Western 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad as the glow of the rising sun illuminates the train and steam, as the cold November air produces a spectacular show of steam trailing over the train, off into the distance, on November 7th, 2021 at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 29mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 160. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk & Western Steam Locomotive 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad against the rising sun as it illuminates the sky behind the train and steam, with the cold November air producing a spectacular show of steam trailing over the train, as they approach the Esbenshade Road Crossing on November 7th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Westerns first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 32mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Conductor Gabriel Miranda stands on the back platform of caboose #12 as he talks to the crew on steam locomotive Norfolk & Western 475 during a reverse move just west of the Esbenshade Road Crossing, on the Strasburg Railroad at Strasburg, PA. They were conducting several photo run-bys prior to the sunrise during a Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special from Strasburg on November 7th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 52mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 450. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Engineer Keith Linker keeps a watchful eye on the road ahead, from the cab of Norfolk and Western 475, as he pulls his train forward in the siding at Groffs, during a Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special on the Strasburg Railroad at Strasburg, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 20mm, f/4.5, 1/800, ISO 1100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

I typically try not to join the photo line on charters as a norm simply because I want something a bit different than what other photographers come away with, such as this shot of the actual photo line as Norfolk & Western 475 passes a string of boxcars and caboose that were set out at Groffs Siding on the Strasburg Railroad. This was during the recent great photo charter hosted by the Historic Transport Preservations John Craft at Strasburg, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021. A group of about 40 or so photographers and rail enthusiasts spent the day doing photo run-bys resulting in many of the photos Ive been posting from the Strasburg area. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Westerns first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 85mm, f/4.5, 1/1000, ISO 140. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

The late afternoon light lights the nose and steam of Norfolk and Western 475 as engineer Keith Linker keeps a watchful eye on the road ahead, as he pulls his train forward in the siding at Groffs, during a Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special from Strasburg, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021, to await the arrival of on an eastbound afternoon passenger train. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/4.5, 1/800, ISO 320. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk & Western Steam Locomotive 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad the rising sun illuminates the sky behind the train and steam as the cold November air produces a spectacular show of steam trailing over the train, as the train approaches the Esbenshade Road Crossing on November 7th, 2021 at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

The waiting game! The long shadows from a group of railfans provide an interesting frame as they wait, along with the crew of Norfolk and Western 475, at Groffs Siding on the Strasburg Railroad, on November 7th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania for a westbound passenger train to pass. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm @ 17mm, f/4.2, 1/1600, ISO 500. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Engineer Dan Potts keeps an eye on the road ahead as he controls Norfolk and Western 475, as he pulls west through the long curve coming out of Leaman Place Junction at Paradise, PA, on the Strasburg Railroad toward headed toward Strasburg, PA, on November 7th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 290mm, f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 800. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk and Western 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad through the cold Autumn air producing a spectacular show of steam trailing over the train, on November 7th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm @ 18mm, f/4.2, 1/1600, ISO 180. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk and Western 475, coming off the Long Curve into the Beilers/Carpenters Graveyard area, passes through what many refer to as the Tree Tunnel during the Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special on the Strasburg Railroad at Ronks, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021 in the early morning light. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 95mm, f/4.5, 1/400, ISO 220. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk and Western 475 waits in the siding at Groffs as Canadian National #89 passes on their way west on the Strasburg Railroad, with a loaded passenger train on November 7th, 2021, at Paradise Township, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Strasburg Railroad (Canadian National) No. 89 is a 2-6-0 “Mogul” type steam locomotive originally built by the Canadian Locomotive Company in February 1910 for the Canadian National Railway. It is now owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania where it resides today for use on excursion trains. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm @ 14mm, f/4, 1/800, ISO 280. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

The conductor on a CSX loaded coal train stands on the nose of CSXT 3176 as his train crosses the Monongahela River at Brownsville, Pennsylvania. They are headed off the NS Mon Line where the conductor will throw the switch onto the NS Loveridge Secondary for their continued movement southbound. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern 4290 leads an empty coal train north out of Brownsville, Pennsylvania along the Monongahela River on the NS Mon line on a beautiful fall morning. According to Wikipedia: The Mon Line is an 85-mile-long Norfolk Southern rail line which runs along the Monongahela River for most of its route. The predecessor of this line is the Pittsburgh, Virginia, and Charleston Railroad. The northern portion (Pittsburgh to West Brownsville) of the line is the former main line of the Monongahela Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the southern portion (West Brownsville to Waynesburg) was once part of the Monongahela Railway’s Waynesburg Southern Branch. Its northern terminus was formerly at the junction with the Panhandle Route at the Panhandle Bridge in Pittsburgh, and its southern terminus was near Brownsville, Pennsylvania where it had a connection to the Monongahela Railway. Conrail transferred the West Brownsville to Waynesburg trackage from the Waynesburg Southern Branch to the former main line of the PRR Monongahela Division and it became the new Mon Line. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern 4290 leads an empty coal train north down Main Street past the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church at Brownsville, Pennsylvania on the NS Mon line. I never knew there was street running in this area until fellow railfan Ben Sutton put me onto this spot! Came away from here with several shots that I love and will be posting over the next weeks! Thanks Ben! According to Wikipedia: The Mon Line is an 85-mile-long Norfolk Southern rail line which runs along the Monongahela River for most of its route. The predecessor of this line is the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railroad. The northern portion (Pittsburgh to West Brownsville) of the line is the former main line of the Monongahela Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the southern portion (West Brownsville to Waynesburg) was once part of the Monongahela Railway’s Waynesburg Southern Branch. Its northern terminus was formerly at the junction with the Panhandle Route at the Panhandle Bridge in Pittsburgh, and its southern terminus was near Brownsville, Pennsylvania where it had a connection to the Monongahela Railway. Conrail transferred the West Brownsville to Waynesburg trackage from the Waynesburg Southern Branch to the former main line of the PRR Monongahela Division and it became the new Mon Line. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Chasing the Union Pacific Steam Locomotive 4014, The Big Boy

September 22, 2021 Jim Pearson Comments 0 Comment

This is one of the last images from my DJI Air 2 drone before it ended up in the top of a 30′ oak tree the next day at Dexter, MO after a Fly Away. In this shot Engineer Ed Dickens waves from the cab as Union Pacific’s 4014, the Big Boy, passes under the signal bridge in downtown McRae, Arkansas on Friday, on August 27th, 2021, as they head north on the UP Hoxie subdivision on its way to Popular Bluff, MO.

My first over night railfan trip since the beginning of COVID was from August 26th through the 28th where good friend Ryan Scott and I chased the Union Pacific Steam Locomotive 4014, the Big Boy, from Little Rock, Arkansas to just south of St. Louis, Missouri.

The Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive which was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York in 1941. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

According to Wikipedia: “The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959, when it was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California.

In 2013, UP re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In May 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after sitting dormant for almost six decades.

It ran its first excursion, double-headed with Union Pacific 844, three days later on May 4, 2019. Now part of the Union Pacific’s heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves.”

The Big Boy was on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming and returning to Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 7th to finish the trip.

All in all Ryan and I had a great trip, even though my DJI Air 2 drone ended up stuck in a 30′ oak tree!

Yep, during my chase of Union Pacific’s 4014, the Big Boy on Saturday, August 28th, 2021, my Air 2 Drone decided it wanted to take off on its own where it moved about 150 feet from where I had it hovering over the junction where the UP Hoxie sub meets the Chester Sub, South of Scott City, Missouri! Not totally sure why, but it happened and even though I had the home point set to the crossing where I took off from and my hover point where I was waiting for the Big Boy was in a clear area.

It was a very hot and humid day though and I was watching the drone hover and when we heard the steam whistle blow, I reached over to start my 4K video recording and when I looked back at the drone controller screen the drone was in the top of tree, more than 150’ from where I had it hovering! To top it all off the Big Boy didn’t even merge onto the Chester Sub like we thought it was going to and it came through a crossing that was about 25’ from where the drone decided on its own to move to. Perhaps it knew something I didn’t! LOL In all seriousness, that’s the exact reason you always keep sight of your drone! I couldn’t have looked away from the controller and drone more than 15 seconds or so and this happened!

Fortunately, it was out in the middle of the country and there were only about 6 of us railfans and a couple of locals at this location. The drone didn’t fly over anyone before it decided to fly away and land in the top of 30-40’ oak tree, about in the middle of a stand of about 2 acres of oaks! The forest was so dense that I couldn’t even walk into where it was, and I wouldn’t even think about climbing such a tree at my age!

I had a care package which would have allowed me to replace the drone for $400, but I opted to go ahead and spend the extra money and buy the newer DJI Air 2S drone instead as it has a much better sensor than the Air 2. I got the new drone in a few weeks ago and I’m very happy with the quality and performance of the drone!