D&SNG Train Scenics

I took a ride on the special photographer's tour of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Guage train last weekend to try to get some shots that normally aren't obtainable of the train. While it was a blast, the shooting conditions were rather challenging. There's nothing like a bright blue sky, a black locomotive and lots of blinding white snow to make for a contrast nightmare! While I tossed a high percentage of the images I took (even higher than normal), I did come away with a few keepers. Fortunately, the lighting was good in the late afternoon for the marquee shots of the train as it passes through the highline section of the tracks. That is the first image shown above.

Here's the train as it climbs up Hermosa hill...

Just belchin' smoke...

Crossing the high bridge over the Animas River...

And one more on the highline section, taken from the back of the train...

All that smoke is making me wanna gag. I like the Hermosa hill climb--looks like you made the best of some tough conditions.

Looks like a neat chance to see some unusual sites inspite of the photo conditions. The first is ny favorite, but there are some nice ones there. I didn't know that they did this special run...once a year?

I really like the comp of the third image. The smoke really adds to the image.

Guy, I've been waiting for you to post some from your trip. Sorry you had some tough shooting conditions but I think you definitely have some keepers here. I can't choose a favorite because I like them all!!! Very nice. Were there a lot of other photographers?

Thanks for the comments everyone. Roger...they run the photographer's special twice a year. Once in the fall (near the end of September, I think) and again in early Feb.

Laurie...according to the conductor they had a full run which meant 100 passengers. Not all were photographers, but most were. Because all the snow along the route there was very limited space to shoot. The crew had to stomp out areas to shoot along the route (previous to the day of the tour) and we were herded (shoulder to shoulder at times) into these areas. It made trying to get any original compositions impossible. And although a few people still tried to use tripods, I kept mine on the train. Steady hands and/or stabilized lenses were a must! Don't get me wrong, I think the crew did a marvelous job of trying to accomodate the photographers, but the conditions made it very difficult. I definitely want to take the autumn trip as I'm sure there will be more room to spread out and get better (or at least different) compositions.

Fantastic Shots. Thanks for sharing these winter scenes of steam railroading. I like that you did not focus entirely on the 3/4 locomotive shots like many do. You made the train part of the overall scene.

Some great photo opps !
I like all the detail that you brought out in the smoke in #3.

What did you do on the post processing?
The color, contrast and tonal ranges suggest HDR.

All of them are beautiful. There may have been a bunch of other photogs, but yours are the only images I've seen.

Wonderful stuff, Guy, despite the harsh light.

Does the railroad give you a property/model release so you can sell these?

I'd say you handled the light challenges pretty well Guy. I also wasn't aware of this photo offering from the RR. I've ridden the train in the Fall and it was beautiful and lots of fun. My shots weren't nearly as good as yours.

Pam

Thanks again for all the comments. Bill...no HDR type work on these. My general strategy for processing bright, snowy images usually consists of first getting the white point set properly for the snow and then using selection layers on the middle and darker tones to get the desired brightness, contrast and color saturation there.

Don...no they did not give us releases. I'd like to think that the extra fee levied for this tour would entitle me to sell these images, but I realize the world just doesn't work that way in this day and age. Thanks for bringing that up as I'm gonna talk to them about it tomorrow.

Nice shots, Guy! I'd like to take this trip someday. I've shot the train in Durango as it leaves town but not in the mountains. Good job!

Oh man that third one is postcard perfect, great stuff......

I love them all, especially the third one.

God I miss Colorado!

Payat Rittler

I love them all, especially the third one.

God I miss Colorado!

Payat Rittler