Are you a rail photographer??

[nathanmallard]

On April 1st I posted a joke thread about one of the Cooperstown GG1s moving to the NRM in York, UK. Back then I didn't mean it seriously, but the more I read in to the ownership disputes and mismanagement behind these locos the more I'm thinking that it's a good idea! There are enough American railroad enthusiasts over here to make it viable I would have thought, but unfortunately I don't have the financial means to ship it over and look after it properly. They are also a few unique NYC electrics in a similar situation, what's worse about that is that while they are a few GG1s preserved, the only "preserved" NYC electrics are dumped in an overgrown siding behind a power station. We in the UK are extremely lucky that out of all the electrics that have operated here, only examples of Classes EF1 and EE1 have not been preserved.

 

[MeowRailroad]

At least the GG1's don't look that bad. It seems like if they were moved soon they could be saved. The least the owners could do is put a tarp over it. I don't understand why the disputes can be put aside, someone hired to fix/stabilize it, and THEN argue about it.

 

[lego207]

I could really do with a non-iPhone camera...
Lots of pics from when I was in DE/PA a few weeks ago.

I actually got to ride in the cab of 475 here... it was pretty amazing.

Yeah, I need a real camera now.

Cheers,
SM

 

[Matt3985]

Hello Everyone, Im back from my Michigan Rail Fan Vacation and I have lots photos (and some Videos) to show to everyone today from my week vacation in the beautiful state of Michigan. Lets start off with a little side trip to Indiana shall we at the Hesston Steam Museum near the Michigan/Indiana State border by New Buffalo Michigan.

They were kind enough to give us a tour of the engine house. They did plan to run the steamers that day but they had no power during my visit so they could not run the big and live steamers that day, so for those two gauges they ran Diesel power.

But they did have one steam engine running, the 14inch gauge

finally here are the diesels we rode that day.

Next Stop The Henry Ford Museum...

 

[Matt3985]

The Henry Ford museum was magnificent, the staff were very friendly and always delighted to answer questions, the place was well kept clean and the exhibits were top notch. the only thing that was disappointing was that sometimes the lighting in the building was not that good so some exhibits I had to take two or 3 shots to get the right photo. but other than that it was a fantastic experience.

More shots in the next post.

 

[Matt3985]

Here are some more shots of the collection they had that the Henry Ford Museum.

They even had a Postwar style Lionel Layout on display there...

Next up, the fun continues at the incredible and also beautiful Greenfield Village...

 

[Matt3985]

I was in for a real treat when I was at Greenfield Village, not only did I ride the vintage Ford Model T's they had driving around, They also had Ford Former Private engine DT&I 4-4-0 #7 running and she looked more beautiful than any steam engine I've seen operate up close so far to date. Plus the staff at the roundhouse were as good as the museum staff from the previous day and I got to operate the hand operating turntable while I was there.

Next up my camera was put to the test as I try my best to rail fan and photograph (and video record later) DT&I 4-4-0 #7 at work...

 

[Matt3985]

Here are some shots of #7 at work on the Wiser Railroad in Greenfield Village.

My best shot of the day was this shot when a vintage Ford Truck rolls by at the right time.

Next up I travel to Flint Michigan and the home of the Huckleberry Railroad and D&RGW K27 #464.

 

[Matt3985]

Next we visit the Huckleberry Railroad and Village in Flint Michigan where I come face to face with my first ever operational D&RGW Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotive and the K27 #464 put on a fantastic show for us as she thunder thru the valley. The Crew were especially friendly towards rail fans and even allowed me to go inside the cab of the locomotive while it was under steam not once but TWICE!!! Many thanks to them for being such a great host for us that day.

This is the car I rode, it was a former business car.

Coming up more shots from the Huckleberry Railroad.

 

[Matt3985]

A few more shots at Huckleberry Railroad.

Next up our final stop on the rail fan tour of Michigan is the Steam Railroading Institute of Owasso Michigan.

 

[Matt3985]

A dream come true came when I arrived at the Steam Railroading institute came when I finally came face to face with the famous PM 2-8-4 #1225 at last (although sadly it was not running but their Live Steam Gauge trains were running) and even got invited to come up into the cab of the engine and the backstop tour was amazing and the volunteer staff were polite and very friendly. I hope to one day attend a ride behind 1225 one day soon.

Thats it for now but there will be more additional photos to come later. I hope you enjoyed my collection of shots.

 

[RoysTrainz]

Hi Matt seems like you had a great day, nice shots !

Roy:wave:

 

[watemple]

Dogonne it! I wish I could've seen you cause I'm half an hour from the Henry Ford!! Although I hope to be at the Huckleberry Railfan Weekend.

 

[Matt3985]

I hope I will be able to attend the next railfan weekend. I will post more shots tonight

 

[flusi737]

Anyway...."railfanning"

 

[Bluewater]

Pavilion, MI
CN South Bend Subdivision

 

[lego207]

Was able to go into the cabs of a few units...

#915

ACS-64

...plus 7 more units, but you know...
Few other pics.

Hey there, 822.

I spy Milwaukee Road...

And I even have gifs.

It was an eventful week.

Cheers,
SM

 

[MeowRailroad]

You went to Strasburg? I was there on NS days and I wanted to go into the cab of 915 but they had blocked off the entrance. Does anyone know if the NS equipment delivered 915 or was it brought there on another train.

 

[lego207]

You went to Strasburg? I was there on NS days and I wanted to go into the cab of 915 but they had blocked off the entrance. Does anyone know if the NS equipment delivered 915 or was it brought there on another train.

Yep, we were at Strasburg & RR Museum of Pennsylvania. I only got to go in the cabs of all the units (GG1, E44, E7, Toaster, among many others) because I was part of the NRHS Railcamp 2015 group. We got to do quite a lot...

Cheers,
SM

 

[MeowRailroad]

That sounds like a lot of fun! On NS days I went into the E44 cab. I also went into the H&BT caboose.