For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a love for steam locomotives. From being a little kid watching Thomas And Friends and counting days until my parents would take me to Day Out With Thomas, to spending hours on YouTube watching any steam train video I could find; instead of doing my homework of course. As I’ve grown, this love of 20th century technology never waned. Coincidentally I’ve recently found myself deep in the world of film photography. As the world advances, I find it a calming escape to spend time with the technology of yesteryear. So naturally I thought it would be an interesting project to combine these two loves of antiquated technology into one.
Below are some of my favorite photos (So Far) that I’ve taken of these iron giants working as they were designed to do; some cases over 100 years ago. All of these photos were taken on one of my film cameras. I hope to keep expanding on this project over the years, but as with everything it will take some time!
A women watches on as a train arrives back in The East Strasburg station. I firmly believe that everyone becomes a bit of a train fan if they get the chance to see a Steam Locomotive in operation. And that bit of interest is only compounded during the Holidays. This photo was taken the day after Christmas in 2020, and shot on my new to me 35mm film camera. When I got it developed it instantly became one of my favorite photos; As it feels like it could be a card or from a movie.
Side note, I have no idea who the women is in this photo. I assume her and her significant other (out of frame) were visiting the railroad. I regret not getting their contact info as they would've probably like to see this photo. But I wasn't sure how to approach them as I had preview to show them since I was shooting film. But I maybe one day they might stumble across it!
Time travel does indeed exist. Just you have to look in unlikely places. And the Strasburg Railroad is one of those places; nestled in the Amish farmlands of Lancaster County PA. Here I captured SRC 89 heading back to Strasburg on a beautiful late July day. On a photography note, this photo is one of the first that I visualized when I ordered my 6x17 camera. I was thrilled to finally get to take this photo, and have it turn out how I pictured it. Especially as it was the first time shooting a moving subject on a large format camera. I learned a lot from this outing as you need to think differently when working with such an old style of camera.
A little detail shot of the Baker style valve gear on Strasburg Railroad's ex Norfolk & Western no. 475
The Connecticut Valley Railroad is definitely one of my favorites visit. But from a photography stand point, the train faces north so photographing them isn't the easiest. Especially when shooting film. As result here we see Valley no. 40 leading it's train back to Essex tender first. Crossing over Old Deep River Road.
It is a freezing cold late December afternoon, and Strasburg 90 is sitting in the station between runs. The crew is letting steam run through the cylinders to help keep them warm while they wait. This steam is able to escape and create this almost magical scene.
After meeting the second section, SRC 90 gets it's train moving again. The holiday season might be every railroad's busiest time of year. And it's no exception in Strasburg. Taken on December 23rd, 2023 every train was full with families on their way to see Santa!
Strasburg's little mogul no. 89 charges the hill to Esbenshade with the last train of the day. The low winter sun puts the train and the beautiful Amish farm land in golden light.
It might have been freezing this day, but it wasn't putting and damper on this man's day. The fireman gives onlooker a friendly smile as they run around their train.
This is a photo that took me multiple trips to get right, and even still I think I can do better with this composition and will probably try again. Visiting the Strasburg Rail Road really is like stepping back in time. Where else can you watch a steam train pull into the station with a Ford model T or A on the platform.
Valley Railroad no. 40 slowly pushes its train back to Deep River. The Connecticut Valley was in near peak autumn colors during my visit!
One of the crew members is spending their layover in the station "Cutting Coal". Which is just a fancy way of saying shoving the coal forward in the bunker to make it easier for the fireman to reach during the run. But I always try to take images like this, I love the trains themselves but it wouldn't be possible without the people who run them.
SRC 90 takes its train through Ground Hog's Cut heading back to East Strasburg on the day before Christmas Eve 2023.
While running around their train. SRC no. 89 passes Strasburg's Russell Snowplow. Which is another piece of antique equipment that is still used to plow snow along their railroad.
The fireman keeps an keen eye out for the signal from the conductor that it is safe to depart.
SRC 89 rolls through the hills of what's known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country as these hills are home to numerous Amish farms. It's amazing to think that just a few miles from this location there is the hustle of modern life. But here it's quiet and peaceful.
