by Steve Eshom on September 6, 2011
I moved to Vancouver, Wa. in April of 1993. Since then the railroad scene has been in constant change whether that is infrastructure change, ownership change, or traffic change. I remember vividly driving across the crossing at 8th Street for the first time and looking west towards the yard office. Signals, code line, power lines, and a maze of trackage greeted my eyes. I’d arrived at the famous Vancouver wye!
Since ’93 not much has changed at the 8th Street crossing infrastructure wise. It is really just like I found it in ’93. Until the last few month that is. The city and BNSF are in the midst of a project to improve access to the waterfront area south west of town by putting modern bridges in the railroad’s dirt berm that skirts the south side of the city. To get these installed a shoofly is under construction to route the 2 track main line around the location of these new bridges. Once the rearrangement is complete for the shoofly that will be the end of the 8th Street crossing looking like it does now.
Sure, it is nice to see things stay the same but I have say none of this bothers me. This construction is about a vibrant community and a vibrant rail infrastructure. Good stuff! I’m happy the see BNSF and the city of Vancouver working together to grow our area.
by Steve Eshom on June 15, 2011
Much of the switching in Vancouver takes place within the confines of the yard or in the port. The jobs which switch LaFarge Cement or Albina fuel are quite visible but sadly they aren’t usually out on the days I am. A couple of weeks ago I lucked into seeing an extra switch job finishing up their work in the Cannery Hole and moving back to the yard at Vancouver. In this photo the crew member has just unlocked the time release which sets the signals on the Fallbridge to protect the diamond and their crossing. This crew member will then protect the 11th St. crossing followed by lining the switch onto the grain lead. After getting permission from the dispatcher the move will cross from grain lead to the hill and back again into the yard. Whew, lots of moves for 6 empty cement hoppers.
In a few short years this will be history. LaFarge will be served from the lead leaving the Fallbridge sub at Eighth St. once the project to improve river access is complete.
by Steve Eshom on June 13, 2011
The Northwest is seeing its share of high water this month and fortunately the water is for the most part staying within river banks. In fact most rivers are really only high with a few at or slightly above flood stage. On Sunday I visited one my favorite spots in the north part of Clark County to see how the Lewis River was doing. It was high alright, in fact higher than I’ve ever seen it. According to the guages it is still 6′ below its flood stage so nothing to worry about there.
Here’s my photo from Sunday of Amtrak 501 crossing the river. Take note of how high the river is on the center column of the swing span and then…
…look at the second photo below of a Union Pacific manifest crossing the bridge in March of 2008. Quite the difference!
According to the flood outlook the Northwest should be OK floods wise for a bit. Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota are currently in the worst shape for floods with lots of reds and oranges indicating active flooding or imminent flooding. I’m headed to where the big red blob is in the middle of Montana in less than a month. I hope the flooding has worked its way out by then.
by Steve Eshom on June 2, 2011
I read yesterday about damage to Central Montana Railroad’s Judith River trestle. Today the images came out.
Image 1
Image 2
Certainly this damage is repairable but this railroad doesn’t have the resources of a large class 1. In fact with events over the past few years surrounding their traffic and payments from the BNSF CMR certainly doesn’t have the money for the repair. The track is owned by the state of Montana so a I’m sure they will be involved. I’m betting there will be federal money for the repair also. Stay tuned to this one as the future of the CMR hinges on the repair.
Let’s hope scenes like this joyful day of riding the Charlie Russell Chew Choo will come again….
by Steve Eshom on May 5, 2011
If you follow railfan news you know that Richard Steinheimer passed away yesterday. Of course there is sadness with death and those that knew him personally I’m sure shed tears. Me, I was very subdued when I heard the news wishing to revel in the fact he took fabulous railroad photographs than to mourn his passing.
As I write this I have a copy of A Passion For Trains open in front of me. I refer to it occasionally for inspiration, comparison, and just enjoyment. As I look through it tonight I find myself gravitating to my favorites. ”Milwaukee Road, moonlit portrait of Little Joe #77″, “D&RGW trainman drains cylinder cocks”, “C&S engine house with SD9 #838″. I love these photos. They contain a whole story within each photograph. When I view them I literally feel like I’m standing there while the photo is being taken. That’s powerful. That’s moving. That’s Steinheimer.
Those are my favorites, but honestly I have trouble turning to a page that doesn’t engage me in some way. His images have context to them and many make exceptional use of light, shadows, and textures. Together these things capture my attention and hold me in the image. I believe these are things we all strive to do in our photos. Our success level varies as did Richard’s but I think the important concept is we keep at it. Keep our passion. Keep our vision.
In honor of Richard Steinheimer and what he did for our railfan community I’m not going to post a photo tonight. Instead I encourage you to go out and find some of his images. Study them. Enjoy them. We are blessed to have them in our community and we are all better for the vision Richard has shown us.
