All Aboard! (for escafeld) by TwoPynts
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Description
A change of pace today...a look at the works of man as opposed to the works of nature.
We picked up my father-in-law from the Sebring, FL Amtrak station this past weekend. I took a several photos while there (of course) and feel this is the best one. The passenger train is just pulling into the station here and boy, what a racket they make!
I sent this image to escafeld (Dave) because of his love of trains, and he suggested this cropping. So Dave, this one is for you.
Olympus C8080 & PhotoshopCS
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TRAVELING BY RAIL - - AN INFORMAL HISTORY
The romance of railroading has directly influenced the history of America since 1830 when the steam engine "Tom Thumb" pulled the first passenger car 13 miles from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mill, Maryland.
Today's railroad cars have come a long way since the first one in 1830. The initial "stage coach" type of passenger car quickly gave way to the double-track car that was the four runner of those we know today. Soon many of the larger cities along the Atlantic seaboard were visited by the travelers who arrived on the "exotic cars."
The first passenger sleeping car was introduced on what was then known as the Cumberland Valley Railroad. It provided three tiers of bunks on one side of the car for weary passengers desiring a few hours' sleep while traveling between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and points in the Cumberland Valley region of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In 1856 George M. Pullman gave his name to a new type upper and lower berth sleeping car. In 1859 he introduced an all-steel version that was a major contributor to railway passenger safety.
By 1850,railroads linked the Atlantic Coast with the Great Lakes; Chicago came in the line in 1853,and the rails stretched all the way from New York to the western side of the Mississippi River by 1856.
By Acts of Congress in 1862 and 1864,the construction of the first transcontinental railroad was undertaken. It was completed on May 10, 1869 when the Union Pacific running westward from Nebraska,and the Central Pacific coming eastward from California met at Promontory Point, Utah for the famous Golden Spike ceremony.
On long trips,passengers were required to change trains at several junction points,because of different track widths (gauge) which made through car service impossible. This inconvenience was eliminated in the 1880's when "standard gauge" of 4'-8 1/2" between the rails was adopted. Air brakes were patented by George Westinghouse in 1872,and were incorporated as standard equipment on passenger cars a few years later.
Starting with the American Civil War, which military historians sometimes call "the first railroad war," the nation's rail network became a major factory in military logistics. During the Spanish American and both World Wars, tremendous amounts of material and millions of troops were moved efficiently by train. During World War I the Federal Government assumed control of the nation's railroads,and directed their operation through the United States Railroad Administration. The railroads were returned to their owners in 1920.
A new chapter in railroad history began when the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) - - a quasi-public corporation, dedicated to providing modern, efficient, attractive service, began operating the nation's passenger railroads on May 1, 1971.
As the nation moves toward tomorrow, new high speed ground transportation will supplement today's trains. The Department of Transportation is currently testing new modes of propulsion such as the linear induction motor, and a tracked air cushioned vehicle capable of speeds up to 300 miles per hour. Passenger car interiors and exteriors are being redesigned to permit easier boarding and exit as well as great comfort, safety, and convenience of passengers.
(taken from the Amtrak Historical Society website)
Comments (31)
gwfa
creates really a saturday afternoon feeling...
soulofharmony
beautiful dedication to dave ... and thepov is superb.. excellent angle.. , beautiful quality of p'graphy..:))))..
killerpumpkins
very nice change of pace. Great cropping as well as great pic. Good angle and perspective. KP
escafeld
Many, many thanks Kort!!! I'm so glad you decided to show this superb shot, that's really terrific. I had a look around the Net after I saw your Amtrak image and found this route map - http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/national.pdf#search='Amtrak%20route'. Give it time to load and you will find the map in Bookmarks. This history of rail in the US is so very interesting and if anyone does anything like Korts excellent write up of their countries rail network I would be very interested to know. I hope you don't mind me adding that last sentence Kort. Thanks again my friend and say Hi to your son for me!
nhirschberger
Fantastic colored capture ! Wonderful details and contrast ! Excellent work !!! V
solrac_gi_2nd
Sublime capture. The POV and prespective are perfect !!! Congrats to both of you !!!
dcarvell
Good shot, nice perspective.
TwoPynts
Thanks to Dave and everyone for the comments. That is some route map, and yep, there is Sebring! :)
iaacf
I prefer the works of nature but trains have a special place inmy heart. Therefor I love this image too.. Good compo..and a very impressive machine here
cynlee
excellent shot, perspective, lone figure, imposing size of the train!! spent a lot of time on trains in my youth... they do hold a place in many a heart :]
Tedz
This is right on Track...chug -a-lug ..chug-a-lug!
Valentin
It's a charming romantic image...a wonderful palette of colors!!!
Enmos
Truly superb capture and compo here Kort !!! Love that the compo with that man on the left and the train on the right !! Fantastic work here and wonderful dedi !! :o)
SUNNY6767
a great view, i like this picture even i dont like really trains:-)
Haeberle
As little boys we played with little trains, and now the big boys play with big trains :-) Great to see the man on the left for measuring, well done !
Akinom
LOL @ Chris... Excellently composed shot, Kort! The man on the left gives an idea on that big size of the train.
logiloglu
a wonderful impression of life. excellent capture,my friend. !!!!!!!!!! #:O)!!!!!!!
weesel
Oooo! Dat a BIG 'un! Great shot.
bentchick
I think the two of you ought to think about collaborating on a book together! With all the wonderful shots, it would make for excellent reading! Think about it!
parb1194
Excellent shot of train and man off to work. ;o)
Nasht
great shot and cropping!!! I like it a lot!!! V
sharky_
You got this one perfect. Very awesome capture. Aloha
sossy
yipppiiieeehhh! I'm the first in with the best place! com on, let's ride! wink to the others! ;o))))
Richardphotos
Amtrak passes two blocks from where I live. A deceased not so smart man decided that he would go around parked cars at the crossing with the arms down and the train blowing it's horn. to say the least he did not beat the train or any more trains in the future. about 2 months later anorher not so smart did the same thing a 1/2 mile down the tracks and he met the same fate with a freight train taking him to his maker. not trying to bum you out. I do like your foto very much. Trains always has held a mystery for me.
CDBrugg
great shot + great dedi :-))
19Paul
Isn't it nice when they stay still for you? Awsome image!
TwoPynts
tibet2004uk
What a great shot!! I love the perspective here!! And the 'lil man adds such a new dimension to the image, showing the monstruous size of the train!!
Punaguy
What a great POV on this one! Colors and sharpness are just perfect. Wish I could get on board and take a little trip...Well done! Aloha~
jcv2
Wow, this is a fantastic dedi for Dave! Whew! And what a story! Within two centuries it has evolved up to the the very trains we have now! Incredible! Excellent work, Kort!