Exciting New DVD Release!


MISSABE T-BIRDS


Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Thunderbird Mine Crude Ore Trains


Great Mesabi Iron Range train action featuring the DM&IR’s crude ore trains that traveled from the Thunderbird open pit mines to the Fairlane Taconite Processing Plant. Known as T-Birds, this exciting Missabe action includes both CABRIDES & RUNBYS. The DM&IR’s classic diesel power features: SD9, SD18, SDM, SD38’s & SD40-3. Rail footage era 1989-1999.


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102 MINUTES


Green Mountain Railway Alco RS-1 No. 405 was originally built for the Rutland Railway in 1951, and continues to run on home rails more than 50 years later. OTTO VONDRAK PHOTO


and quickly scanned around the shop testing focus and exposure controls. I pressed the button and the shutter released cha-thunk, not sounding much different from a well-worn time clock validating timecards at a steel mill. Sixty-five dollars later, I was out the door


and headed east into the Columbia River Gorge. The air was thick with smoke as a result of wildfires burning as far away as Montana. As I made my way along Route 14, the haze was ever-present. Not much traffic on BNSF this day as I continued on to Wishram, Wash. One of the railroad’s fire trains was staged here, prepared to do battle should the mainline become threatened, as had been the case elsewhere. The sun managed to burn through, so I reached for both cameras and began to take pictures. With one body taped shut and the other one feeling as foreign as that French final I flunked in high school, I wasn’t really sure anything I was shooting was going to come out, but it was worth a try. I cautiously recorded the scene before me using both bodies and my assortment of lenses. Dinner plans included visiting with my 93-year-old Aunt Charlotte in Bend, Ore., so I turned my car south and followed the Oregon Trunk. I came across no trains the rest of the day, but had a nice visit with my aunt. Tuesday in the Deschutes wasn’t much


better until I returned to Wishram. Thanks to a tip from contributor Robert Scott, I was able to tap into a local ATCS monitor to see that BNSF had finally come alive. I headed west to set up for shots along Route 14 and its many dramatic tunnel scenes. Reaching Hood River, Wash., I was preparing to intercept a westbound at the tunnels near Drano Lake. Reaching back for my trusty Elan 7, my heart sank when I discovered the gaffers tape I had used to replace the worn duct tape had loosened up and was now allowing light into the camera. Devastated, I quickly grabbed the A2 and slapped my telephoto on. I managed to get the shot, but not as many frames because of the slower motor-drive. I did manage to chase two more westbounds at various locations before heading to dinner in Portland. I spent Wednesday morning exploring the


new Tri-Met WES (Westside Express Service) commuter rail line, which is operated with unique Colorado Railcar DMUs. I followed up with some more light rail scenes downtown before it was time to switch gears and start getting ready for the train show set-up. Returning home to New York, I quickly relegated the two EOS (or should that be OOS?) Elan bodies to the closet. I was back on deadline and didn’t give a second thought to cameras for a while. Labor Day weekend included a whirlwind


trip to visit the Catskill Mountain Railroad (and to help reletter its Alco S-1 No. 407), and ride behind Nickel Plate Road No. 765 out of Scranton. Tragedy struck during the stop at East Stroudsburg, Pa., when I went to change rolls only to discover the film had not rewound. You see, I was on frame 36, but did not shoot frame 36. So when I went to change rolls, I managed to pull out the whole strip and expose it. Anyone standing within a mile of my location probably understood my frustration. I chalk it up to the excitement of the moment and not paying attention. My friend “Super” Dave Scheiderich and


I planned to revisit some of our favorite locations around New England at the end of September. I had grown accustomed to the A2 by this time, and after seeing the sharp, colorful results from my trip to Oregon, considered it to be a reliable piece of equipment and didn’t give it a second thought. However, just prior to our departure, my old flip-phone finally died. Did I mention I was a bit of a dinosaur? Suddenly, I was thrust into the world of smartphones, which was like having a tiny version of my iPad in my pocket. On a crisp Saturday in late September,


Dave and I were trackside in Chester, Vt., face to face with Green Mountain Railway Alco RS-1 No. 405 on the head end of a weekend excursion. After I captured a few frames on film, I reached for my brand new smartphone to see what it could do. Once I figured out the focus points, I came away with some bright images to share with friends later. We spent the rest of Saturday chasing two


more trips on the Green Mountain Railway under beautiful clear skies. Railfans from


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Go to www.greatesthobby.com and get links to hobby resources and reference materials, lists of train shows and events, and information about planning and building your first model railroad layout. We’ll even help you find a shop or club in your area willing to coach you one-on-one. It’s everything you need to know to start enjoying your new hobby. Getting started in the World’s Greatest Hobby has never been easier!


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