4-6-4 Steam Locomotive

[canonloader]

<edit> This is a Baldwin Locomotive Works engine, built in 1930, numered 4000 and named "Big Alice the Goon" after an early Popeye character. Here is more history on this engine (http://www.railarchive.net/rlsteam/index.html?MainFrame=http://www.railarchive.net/rlsteam/cbq.htm). </edit>

I think those numbers are right. There is no number on this beast, or I could look it up. And now I need to go back and check the rear trailers. Either way, this thing is huge. To give you some perspective, I am 6' 2" tall and the main wheels are bigger than I am. Unfortunately, it's inside a cyclone fence, so I was shooting over it. And it was raining this morning. They do fire it up once a year though and occasionally, they let people tour it. I missed it this year though. They sure got it painted up nice though.

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/uwa/transportation/steam-locomotive-img_3412-100508.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/uwa/transportation/steam-locomotive-img_3423-100508.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/uwa/transportation/steam-locomotive-img_3425-100508.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/uwa/transportation/steam-locomotive-img_3426-100508.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/uwa/transportation/steam-locomotive-img_3427-100508.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/uwa/transportation/steam-locomotive-img_3432-100508.jpg

And a switch house, which looks original and moved to this spot...
http://www.picturelacrosse.com/uwa/transportation/switch-house-img_3438-100508.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/uwa/transportation/switch-house-img_3445-100508.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

Good shots, considering the restrictions you were under.

[Desertraptor]

Wow they sure made things big back then even.
Nice set

[RadAL]

any more angle shots that show the whole engine (sorta like 1)

[Anke]

What a great object!! Pity it looks as if it doesn't run as much as it should.

[canonloader]

Thanks for looking Frank, Peter, RadAl and Anke. I have seen this beast sitting there for years, and never really looked at it close. It's on a busy corner that isn't easy to park near. but I do know they fire her up, build up some steam and allow people to tour through her. Now I am stoked up to find out more about her history, and when I can get a look inside the fence.

I can tell you, I was thoroughly impressed with the massive size and obvious weight of this engine. I have seen other examples of big engines on display before, and I must say, this one is in the best shape of any I have seen. I think it's safe to say, they don't build them like this anymore. :)

any more angle shots that show the whole engine (sorta like 1)
I was forced to shoot over the fence. Meaning, I held my camera over my head and just guessed at the aim and angle. I did try shooting through it, but with a wide angle lens, the wire of the fence does not blur out of existance. I have a plan though. Since this fence is quite short, I am going back with a 3 step little stepladder and shoot over it again, this time so I can take my time to compose the shots better. But no, no more shots of the whole engine, other than a few from this same angle.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to shoot it better next time, I am listening. Because of the rain, I didn't shoot the coal wagon or the caboose, which I will do next time. This thing deserves some good pics. :)

[lkb-28]

Hi Mitch;

Under the circumstances - superb series...

As for suggestions; IMO, these type of static shots make good HDR subjects... You never know, you may even get some detail in the sky!

Cheers;

Lee

[canonloader]

Thanks Lee. Yes, I thought of HDR, and have been doing a lot of that lately, but hand held, over my head? I decided it wouldn't work. We have another gray and cloudy day today, but no rain. I am going back there a little later this morning and get another try at it. I am taking a short stepladder and my newer tripod, which has a higher reach and should be steady enough for some 3 shot spreads. I think I can get it over the fence and steady.

What I really need to do is to get inside there. I want to find out how to do that too, but am not sure where to even start. I am sure this is run by someone, but didn't see a sign yesterday. It was raining though, so I didn't take the time to walk around the whole enclosure to see if there was some sort of contact info posted. I'll also look for that today. :)

[canonloader]

What amazing luck. When I got there this morning, after buying a stepladder to shoot over the fence, I parked across the street, and just as I was getting out, I noticed a pickup pulling into the grounds over there, pulling a little trailer. I got over there as the guy was getting out of his truck, and asked if he could let me inside the fence. He smiled and said sure, no problem. He was totally helpful, even pulling off the weather covers for the engine cab for me to allow in more light. He explained everything, and even opened the firebox to let me get some shots inside. Is that amazing or what?

Further, he is working on it for the next month, almost every day, and said I could come back for more anytime I saw his truck there. :)

Give me an hour and I will post up a new thread with more pics. I took three shot exposure spreads for HDR processing and will see how that goes. I must have banged of almost 300 shots of this beauty, so give me a few. You won't be disappointed. ;)