The only word I can find to describe this scene is "surreal." Indeed, a bright three-quarter moon lighting up the Cascade Range forest during a blizzard could only be something imagined in one's dreams... except that it happened. In one of those incredibly rare instances where everything just came together perfectly, as I was setting up this photo the clouds overhead tore open and let the moonlight filter through to shine down on the snow-covered forest. In the distance I heard the faint cry of a horn blowing for a grade crossing in Skykomish, and a few minutes later the sound of hard-working GEs -- muted by the thousands of snow-laden limbs -- became audible over the burble of the river's water flowing amongst the rocks below. Finally, as the snow continued to fall, an eastbound Z train burst out onto the Foss River bridge, the bright beams of its highlights reflected by the snow-covered trees to cast a golden glow throughout the scene. Then, seemingly in an instant, it was over -- the train gone, taking its light and noise with it; a thick cloud drifting across the sky, returning the forest to its proper nighttime darkness; and all that remained was the familiar sound of the river's rushing water, reminding me that I had awoken from my living dream and returned to normality. (Thanks to Steve Carter for the inspiration.)
The reason railpictures.net has captured my imagination for so many years. Images of quality and distinction, in other words, amazing railroad photography.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.
A continuously growing album of photos that IMHO reveal the awesome and seldom-seen beauty of the railroad world from the dimming of day to dawn's early light! From dusk to dawn, trains roll on! (I'm still finding gems of sunset-to-sunrise surprises!)