Sunrise over McEwen. On the first day of the 2018 Sumpter Valley fall photo event, the trains faced east. The sunrise at McEwen Station is essentially aligned with the right-of-way, so first light is just spectacular and tailor-made for a photo op. Here, Eccles Lumber Heisler #3 and Sumpter Valley Mikado #19 await departure at the McEwen Depot, just moments after the sun fell on the railhead. Both trains appear headed for Baker City, a little over 20 miles to the east, but of course, that's no longer possible, because the trackage of the reconstructed Sumpter Valley Railroad dead-ends just 100 ft. or so behind my camera position.
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.
