1. FANTRIP By GEORGE A. FORERO JR.
>> No plane? Try this
Train-watching on the fly
See what it takes to get a bird’s-eye view of the railroad and to take good photos from the cockpit
Observation decks in skyscrapers of-
ten have great views of railroads be-
low. The above photo was taken from
the Skywalk Observatory, located atop
the Prudential Tower in Boston. The
observatory is open seven days a week
and offers views of five different rail
and subway lines from the comfortable
indoors. (Other towers have outdoor
decks.) Taking photos through glass
windows isn’t difficult. The trick is to
avoid shooting at an angle; you want to
be as perpendicular to the glass as
possible to reduce glare. Also, use a
zoom lens to make the train easily visi-
ble. Editing the photos afterward is
necessary, since the glass will mute
colors and dull contrast. Tyler Trahan
With the days of casual access to yards tacting the “fixed-base operator,” a busi- camera viewfinder, so ask the pilot to dem-
and engine terminals gone, and Amtrak ness within the airport that pumps gas, onstrate this maneuver before you start
implementing stricter photography rules, rents airplanes, and provides sightseeing taking pictures. Once you realize that you
are there other photography options rail- flights and/or flight instruction. As a pilot are not going to fall out, you will quickly
fans can explore? Yes! Take heart and myself, I prefer to speak with the fixed- become accustomed to looking out the
imagine yourself a railfan in the sky. base operator in person before deciding to window and seeing the ground.
Train-chasing by plane presents an en- charter a flight. This is an opportunity to Since you will want to be able to see the
tirely different adventure than the trackside explain what you want to do and find out ground, weather is the biggest consider-
experience. You can trace abandoned rail- how much it will cost. A Wisconsin & Southern freight passes So- ation of all. An overcast sky is no reason to
roads, even those long gone, by connecting The price will vary by location, type of lon Mills, Ill., in May 2005 (top). The Cessna cancel, especially since typical flat lighting
remnants of the former right-of-way — a aircraft, and current fuel prices, but figure 172 has a high-wing design integral to tak- brings out the details in your photographs.
shallow cut here, discolored soil in an open on its starting around $100 an hour. Time ing aerial photos. Two photos: George A. Forero Jr. However, the cloud ceiling, or height of the
field there, and perhaps some bridge piers is billed only when the propeller is turning, lowest cloud cover, must be at least 2,000-
in a river. Or follow active railroads, and and the price almost always includes fuel. ing at a relatively fast shutter speed (1/500 3,000 feet up, and forecast to stay that way
with a combination of planning, good tim- Not all planes are created equal. A sin- or better) counters vibration, too. for the duration of your flight. Ask your pi-
ing, and some luck, you can target specific gle-engine, high-wing Cessna is much A moderate telephoto lens will be ade- lot for a weather briefing just before your
trains at a particular location, designing more conducive to aerial photography than quate in most cases and a zoom lens prob- flight — you can usually cancel with no
your optimal shots. Of course, since you is a sightseeing aircraft with low wings that ably the most useful. The minimum altitude penalty if the weather is not cooperating.
usually can’t afford to hang around in the obstruct the direct downward view. Let the allowed over a “congested” area is 1,000 feet Winds and air currents can rock a small
air waiting on a train that might not show fixed-base operator know you will be tak- above ground, and 500 feet is the general aircraft and thwart your photography ef-
up, simply fly down the line. You’ll be sur- ing photographs and ask if there is an air- rule elsewhere. Unless you plan to fly near a forts. Winter is the optimal time of year for
prised how much territory you can cover in craft available with a window that opens. large metropolitan airport or a nuclear smooth, clear air. Otherwise, aim for early
a short time, and best of all, there’s no way Don’t laugh; this is perfectly feasible and power plant, you should be able to go wher- mornings or early evenings to minimize
the train can slip by unseen. provides a much clearer view. In some ever you wish. The fixed-base operator can encounters with thermals (rising currents
So, how do you get up there? Start by planes, the operator may be able to com- tell you if your projected target is in restrict- of warm air). Your photography, and your
finding a small airport close to the area pletely remove the window. ed airspace, and can even sell you a section- stomach, will benefit greatly!
where you want to shoot. The local yellow If you must shoot through a closed win- al air chart that you can use, with a little
pages or Internet can be helpful here. Look dow, keep your lens as close to the glass as training, to determine that for yourself. GEORGE A FORERO JR. is a soon-to-be-re-
for “Flight Instruction” or “Aircraft possible without touching it, to reduce re- Also, it’s normal for the pilot to bank, or tired, 40-year railroader (Amtrak, BN, Soo,
Schools.” Don’t worry, you won’t have to flection. Even with an open window, avoid turn the aircraft, to give you a better view LIRR) and a pilot since 1974. He’s had two
actually fly the plane (unless you want to). contact between the camera and the win- of your target. This may be unsettling at bylines in Classic Trains and dozens of pho-
Instead, use the listing as means of con- dow frame to minimize vibrations. Shoot- first, especially while looking through a tos in Trains. This is his first Trains byline.
54 Trains AUGUST 2009 www.TrainsMag.com 55