The 1880 Train, Black Hills Central Railroad locomotive crew on 108 performs a blow down on the engine as they arrive back at Hill City, SD on May 30th, 2022, under stormy skies. A Blowdown, where the left and right blow down valves, located at the lowest portion of the firebox sides (mud ring), are opened to blow out mineral sediments in the boiler water. Addition of various chemicals in the tender water is designed to keep the sediments (mud, etc.) from sticking to the internal steel components of the firebox/boiler. On a regular basis, those "settled" sediments need to blown out at safe locations on the railroad. Thus, the locomotives are being "blown down". According to their website: Locomotive #108 joined its nearly identical twin, #110, at the beginning of the 2020 season following a four-year restoration. It is a 2-6-6-2T articulated tank engine that was built by the Baldwin Locomotives Works in 1926 for the Potlatch Lumber Company. It later made its way to Weyerhaeuser Timber Company and eventually to the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Washington. The acquisition and subsequent restoration of locomotive #108 completed a more than 20-year goal of increasing passenger capacity which began with the restoration of #110 and the restoration of multiple passenger cars. Both large Mallet locomotives (pronounced “Malley”) can pull a full train of seven authentically restored passenger cars, up from the four cars utilized prior to their addition to the roster. Tech Info: iPhone 13 Pro Max, 5.7mm, f/1.5, 1/1147, ISO 50. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #blackhillscentralrailroad #STEAM #steamtrains

The 1880 Train, Black Hills Central Railroad locomotive crew on 108 performs a blow down

The 1880 Train, Black Hills Central Railroad locomotive crew on 108 performs a blow down on the engine as they arrive back at Hill City, SD on May 30th, 2022, under stormy skies.

A Blowdown, where the left and right blow down valves, located at the lowest portion of the firebox sides (mud ring), are opened to blow out mineral sediments in the boiler water. Addition of various chemicals in the tender water is designed to keep the sediments (mud, etc.) from sticking to the internal steel components of the firebox/boiler. On a regular basis, those “settled” sediments need to blown out at safe locations on the railroad. Thus, the locomotives are being “blown down”.

According to their website: Locomotive #108 joined its nearly identical twin, #110, at the beginning of the 2020 season following a four-year restoration. It is a 2-6-6-2T articulated tank engine that was built by the Baldwin Locomotives Works in 1926 for the Potlatch Lumber Company. It later made its way to Weyerhaeuser Timber Company and eventually to the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Washington.

The acquisition and subsequent restoration of locomotive #108 completed a more than 20-year goal of increasing passenger capacity which began with the restoration of #110 and the restoration of multiple passenger cars. Both large Mallet locomotives (pronounced “Malley”) can pull a full train of seven authentically restored passenger cars, up from the four cars utilized prior to their addition to the roster.

Tech Info: iPhone 13 Pro Max, 5.7mm, f/1.5, 1/1147, ISO 50.

The Valley Railroad steam engine 40 sits in the station at Essex, Connecticut during the night photo shoot by Dak Dillion Photography on October 8th, 2024. According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train. Valley Railroad #40 is a ALCO 2-8-0 that was built in 1923. It was built as Portland, Astoria and Pacific No. 101, but never used there; transferred to Minarets and Western Railroad in 1921, later to Southern Pacific, then to the Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad. Purchased by the Valley Railroad in 1977. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/2.2, 1/8, ISO 1600, JPG. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #iphonephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #thevalleyrailroad #steamtrains #iphone14pro

The Valley Railroad steam engine 40 sits in the station at Essex, Connecticut

The Valley Railroad steam engine 40 sits in the station at Essex, Connecticut during the night photo shoot by Dak Dillion Photography on October 8th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train.

Valley Railroad #40 is a ALCO 2-8-0 that was built in 1923. It was built as Portland, Astoria and Pacific No. 101, but never used there; transferred to Minarets and Western Railroad in 1921, later to Southern Pacific, then to the Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad. Purchased by the Valley Railroad in 1977.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/2.2, 1/8, ISO 1600, JPG.

The Valley Railroad steam engine 97 poses for a portrait on a trestle around Chester, Connecticut during a photo charter by Dak Dillion Photography on October 9th, 2024. According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train. Valley Railroad 97 is a preserved 2-8-0 steam locomotive that was built in February 1926 by the American Locomotive Company's Cooke Works. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/2.2, 1/2200, ISO 50, RAW. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #iphonephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #thevalleyrailroad #steamtrains #iphone14pro

The Valley Railroad steam engine 97 poses for a portrait on a trestle around Chester, Connecticut

The Valley Railroad steam engine 97 poses for a portrait on a trestle around Chester, Connecticut during a photo charter by Dak Dillion Photography on October 9th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train.

Valley Railroad 97 is a preserved 2-8-0 steam locomotive that was built in February 1926 by the American Locomotive Company’s Cooke Works.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/2.2, 1/2200, ISO 50, RAW.

The Valley Railroad steam engine 97 passes the engine house as it heads to the depot at Essex, Connecticut during a photo charter by Dak Dillion Photography on October 9th, 2024. According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train. Valley Railroad 97 is a preserved 2-8-0 steam locomotive that was built in February 1926 by the American Locomotive Company's Cooke Works. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/2.2, 1/1241, ISO 40, JPG. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #iphonephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #thevalleyrailroad #steamtrains #iphone14pro

The Valley Railroad steam engine 97 passes the engine house at Essex, Connecticut

The Valley Railroad steam engine 97 passes the engine house as it heads to the depot at Essex, Connecticut during a photo charter by Dak Dillion Photography on October 9th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train.

Valley Railroad 97 is a preserved 2-8-0 steam locomotive that was built in February 1926 by the American Locomotive Company’s Cooke Works.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/2.2, 1/1241, ISO 40, JPG.

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 in the early morning fog with a mixed freight at Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, during the museum’s Friends of the East Broad top event. According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, normal lens, f/1.8, 1/817th, ISO 80. #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #trendingphoto #eastbroadtoprailroad #steamtrains

East Broad Top steam locomotive #16 in the early morning fog with a mixed freight at Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 in the early morning fog with a mixed freight at Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, during the museum’s Friends of the East Broad top event.

According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, normal lens, f/1.8, 1/817th, ISO 80.

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 sits outside the engine house as dawn begins at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on October 5th, 2024, as it waits to begin its first day of the year of pulling Fall Foliage Excursions. According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124. The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s. In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, normal lens, f/1.8, 1/30th, ISO 800. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #steamtrains #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #RBNRR #iPhone

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 sits outside the engine house

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 sits outside the engine house as dawn begins at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on October 5th, 2024, as it waits to begin its first day of the year of pulling Fall Foliage Excursions.

According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124.

The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s.

In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, normal lens, f/1.8, 1/30th, ISO 800.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 pulls out of Rock Tunnel

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 pulls out of Rock Tunnel as it heads to Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 20th, 2023.

According to their website: the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a National Historic Landmark. At 64-miles in length, it is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America, traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West.

Owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the train crosses state borders 11 times, zigzagging along canyon walls, burrowing through two tunnels, and steaming over 137-foot Cascade Trestle. All trains steam along through deep forests of aspens and evergreens, across high plains filled with wildflowers, and through a rocky gorge of remarkable geologic formations. Deer, antelope, elk, fox, eagles and even bear are frequently spotted on this family friendly, off-the grid adventure.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, RAW, Tele Lens, f/1.8, 1/2825, ISO 80.

#railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #CumbresToltecScenicRailroad #trending #iPhonePhotography

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 takes on water at Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 20th, 2023. According to their website: the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a National Historic Landmark. At 64-miles in length, it is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America, traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West. Owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the train crosses state borders 11 times, zigzagging along canyon walls, burrowing through two tunnels, and steaming over 137-foot Cascade Trestle. All trains steam along through deep forests of aspens and evergreens, across high plains filled with wildflowers, and through a rocky gorge of remarkable geologic formations. Deer, antelope, elk, fox, eagles and even bear are frequently spotted on this family friendly, off-the grid adventure. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, RAW, Normal Lens, f/1.8, 1/3700, ISO 100. #railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #CumbresToltecScenicRailroad #trending #iPhonePhotography

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 takes on water at Osier, Colorado

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 takes on water at Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 20th, 2023.

According to their website: the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a National Historic Landmark.  At 64-miles in length, it is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America, traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West.

Owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the train crosses state borders 11 times, zigzagging along canyon walls, burrowing through two tunnels, and steaming over 137-foot Cascade Trestle. All trains steam along through deep forests of aspens and evergreens, across high plains filled with wildflowers, and through a rocky gorge of remarkable geologic formations. Deer, antelope, elk, fox, eagles and even bear are frequently spotted on this family friendly, off-the grid adventure.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, RAW, Wide Lens, f/2.2, 1/3700, ISO 100.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 exits Rock Tunnel as it heads to Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 20th, 2023. According to their website: the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a National Historic Landmark. At 64-miles in length, it is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America, traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West. Owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the train crosses state borders 11 times, zigzagging along canyon walls, burrowing through two tunnels, and steaming over 137-foot Cascade Trestle. All trains steam along through deep forests of aspens and evergreens, across high plains filled with wildflowers, and through a rocky gorge of remarkable geologic formations. Deer, antelope, elk, fox, eagles and even bear are frequently spotted on this family friendly, off-the grid adventure. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, RAW, Wide Lens, f/2.2, 1/950, ISO 50. #railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #CumbresToltecScenicRailroad #trending #iPhonePhotography

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 exits Rock Tunnel…

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam locomotive D&RGW 168 exits Rock Tunnel as it heads to Osier, Colorado, during a photo charter by Dak Dillon Photography on October 20th, 2023.

According to their website: the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a National Historic Landmark. At 64-miles in length, it is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America, traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West.

Owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the train crosses state borders 11 times, zigzagging along canyon walls, burrowing through two tunnels, and steaming over 137-foot Cascade Trestle. All trains steam along through deep forests of aspens and evergreens, across high plains filled with wildflowers, and through a rocky gorge of remarkable geologic formations. Deer, antelope, elk, fox, eagles and even bear are frequently spotted on this family friendly, off-the grid adventure.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, RAW, Wide Lens, f/2.2, 1/950, ISO 50.

Pere Marquette 1225 prepares to pull onto the turntable to start their day North Pole Express excursions between Owosso and the Village of Ashley Country Christmas in Michigan, on December 17th, 2023. While I’d normally shoot this scene as a RAW file on my Nikon D810, on this day I was concentrating on video and drone shots. Still, I think my iPhone 14 Pro held up pretty good, all things considered! According to their website, Pere Marquette 1225, the largest and most impressive piece in the Steam Railroading Institute’s collection, is one of the largest operating steam locomotives in Michigan. The 1225 was built in October of 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio for the Pere Marquette Railway. It’s part of the National Register of Historic Structures and is renowned for its role in the 2004 Warner Brothers Christmas Classic, THE POLAR EXPRESS™. 1225’s blueprints were used as the prototype for the locomotive image as well as its sounds to bring the train in the animated film to life! Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/1.8, 1/1/40, ISO 3200, in 4K video Mode. Pere Marquette 1225 prepares to pull onto the turntable to start their day North Pole Express excursions between Owosso and the Village of Ashley Country Christmas in Michigan, on December 17th, 2023. While I’d normally shoot this scene as a RAW file on my Nikon D810, on this day I was concentrating on video and drone shots. Still, I think my iPhone 14 Pro held up pretty good, all things considered! The train was stationary for this shot, and I had moved out of the way before it moved forward onto the table! Wait till you see the video!! According to their website, Pere Marquette 1225, the largest and most impressive piece in the Steam Railroading Institute’s collection, is one of the largest operating steam locomotives in Michigan. The 1225 was built in October of 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio for the Pere Marquette Railway. It’s part of the National Register of Historic Structures and is renowned for its role in the 2004 Warner Brothers Christmas Classic, THE POLAR EXPRESS™. 1225’s blueprints were used as the prototype for the locomotive image as well as its sounds to bring the train in the animated film to life! Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/1.8, 1/1/40, ISO 3200, in 4K video Mode. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #iphonephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #csx #kentuckytrains #paducahandlouisvillerailway #iphone14pro #steamrailroadinginstitue #steamtrain #PereMarquette1225

Pere Marquette 1225 prepares to pull onto the turntable to start their day at Owosso, Michigan

Pere Marquette 1225 prepares to pull onto the turntable to start their day North Pole Express excursions between Owosso and the Village of Ashley Country Christmas in Michigan, on December 17th, 2023. While I’d normally shoot this scene as a RAW file on my Nikon D810, on this day I was concentrating on video and drone shots. Still, I think my iPhone 14 Pro held up pretty good, all things considered!

According to their website, Pere Marquette 1225, the largest and most impressive piece in the Steam Railroading Institute’s collection, is one of the largest operating steam locomotives in Michigan. The 1225 was built in October of 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio for the Pere Marquette Railway. It’s part of the National Register of Historic Structures and is renowned for its role in the 2004 Warner Brothers Christmas Classic, THE POLAR EXPRESS™. 1225’s blueprints were used as the prototype for the locomotive image as well as its sounds to bring the train in the animated film to life!

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm), f/1.8, 1/1/40, ISO 3200, in 4K video Mode.

Digital Photo Art - Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Louisville locomotive 2013 approaches the US 70 overpass, near Bremen, Kentucky as it heads north with a load of coal for the Louisville, Gas and Electric power plant, outside of Louisville, Kentucky on January 19th, 2023. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens at 4x Zoom, f/1.8, 1/90, ISO 20, in 4K video Mode. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #iphonephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #coaltrain #pal #kentuckytrains #paducahandlouisvillerailway #iphone14pro

Digital Photo Art – Paducah and Louisville Railway LGE coal train northbound around Bremen, Ky

Digital Photo Art – Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Louisville locomotive 2013 approaches the US 70 overpass, near Bremen, Kentucky as it heads north with a load of coal for the Louisville, Gas and Electric power plant, outside of Louisville, Kentucky on January 19th, 2023.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens at 4x Zoom, f/1.8, 1/90, ISO 20, in 4K video Mode.

A loaded CSX grain train pulls into the yard from the north end of Howell Yard at Evansville, Indiana, as another train works in the yard in the distance on February 4th, 2023. The yard is located at milepost 323 and was constructed in 1899 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and it brought substantial growth to the Evansville area, and you can find more information, photos and drawings at https://southernillinoisrailroads.com/lnndepots/howell-indiana-l-and-n-railroad-railroad-yard.html Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, JPG, f/2.8, 1/582, ISO 32. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #iPhone4Pro #csx

CSX Loaded grain arrives at Howell Yard, Evansville, IN

A loaded CSX grain train pulls into the yard from the north end of Howell Yard at Evansville, Indiana, as another train works in the yard in the distance on February 4th, 2023.

The yard is located at milepost 323 and was constructed in 1899 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and it brought substantial growth to the Evansville area, and you can find more information, photos and drawings at https://southernillinoisrailroads.com/lnndepots/howell-indiana-l-and-n-railroad-railroad-yard.html

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, JPG, f/2.8, 1/582, ISO 32.

Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11, (C-90-3) moves through a cloud of its own smoke as it runs through the forest during the Rail Heritage Photography Weekend photo shoot at Cass, West Virginia on November 5th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: Cass Scenic Railroad, is an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railway owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain. Founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (now WestRock), Cass was built as a company town to serve the needs of the men who worked in the nearby mountains cutting spruce and hemlock for the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company, a subsidiary of WVP&P. At one time, the sawmill at Cass was the largest double-band sawmill in the world. It processed an estimated 1.25 billion board feet (104,000,000 cu ft; 2,950,000 m3) of lumber during its lifetime. In 1901 work started on the 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge railroad, which climbs Back Allegheny Mountain. The railroad eventually reached a meadow area, now known as Whittaker Station, where a logging camp was established for the immigrants who were building the railroad. The railroad soon reached the top of Gobblers Knob, and then a location on top of the mountain known as 'Spruce'. The railroad built a small town at that location, complete with a company store, houses, a hotel, and a doctor's office. Work soon commenced on logging the red spruce trees, which grew in the higher elevations. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, f/2.8, 1/75, ISO 64. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #cassscenicrailway #steamtrains

Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11 at Cass, West Virginia

Cass Scenic Railway Shay locomotive number 11, (C-90-3) moves through a cloud of its own smoke as it runs through the forest during the Rail Heritage Photography Weekend photo shoot at Cass, West Virginia on November 5th, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: Cass Scenic Railroad, is an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railway owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain.

Founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (now WestRock), Cass was built as a company town to serve the needs of the men who worked in the nearby mountains cutting spruce and hemlock for the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company, a subsidiary of WVP&P. At one time, the sawmill at Cass was the largest double-band sawmill in the world. It processed an estimated 1.25 billion board feet (104,000,000 cu ft; 2,950,000 m3) of lumber during its lifetime. In 1901 work started on the 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge railroad, which climbs Back Allegheny Mountain.

The railroad eventually reached a meadow area, now known as Whittaker Station, where a logging camp was established for the immigrants who were building the railroad. The railroad soon reached the top of Gobblers Knob, and then a location on top of the mountain known as ‘Spruce’. The railroad built a small town at that location, complete with a company store, houses, a hotel, and a doctor’s office. Work soon commenced on logging the red spruce trees, which grew in the higher elevations.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, f/2.8, 1/75, ISO 64.

BNSF 9073 leads B207, a loaded phosphate train headed for Cicero, IL (BNSF) from Mulberry, FL, as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision through Mortons Gap, Kentucky on November 17th, 2022. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens, f/1.8, 1/222, ISO 64. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #iphonephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #bnsfrailway #bnsf #kentuckytrains #csxhendersonsubdivison

BNSF 9073 leads B207 northbound through Mortons Gap, Kentucky

BNSF 9073 leads B207, a loaded phosphate train headed for Cicero, IL (BNSF) from Mulberry, FL, as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision through Mortons Gap, Kentucky on November 17th, 2022.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens, f/1.8, 1/222, ISO 64.

BNSF 9073 leads B207, a loaded phosphate train headed for Cicero, IL (BNSF) from Mulberry, FL, as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision through Mortons Gap, Kentucky on November 17th, 2022. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens, f/1.8, 1/222, ISO 64. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #iphonephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #bnsfrailway #bnsf #kentuckytrains #csxhendersonsubdivison

BNSF 9073 leads B207 northbound at Mortons Gap, KY

BNSF 9073 leads B207, a loaded phosphate train headed for Cicero, IL (BNSF) from Mulberry, FL, as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision through Mortons Gap, Kentucky on November 17th, 2022.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens, f/1.8, 1/222, ISO 64.

Paducah and Louisville Railway 4516 leads the northbound Louisville Gas and Electric loaded coal train as it struggles up the hill at Rosine, Kentucky on September 1st, 2022, on the way to the power plant outside of Louisville, KY. Tech Info: iPhone 13 Pro Max, Standard Lens, f/2.8, 1/272, ISO 32. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Paducah and Louisville Railway 4516 northbound at Rosine, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railway 4516 leads the northbound Louisville Gas and Electric loaded coal train as it struggles up the hill at Rosine, Kentucky on September 1st, 2022, on the way to the power plant outside of Louisville, KY.

Tech Info: iPhone 13 Pro Max, Standard Lens, f/2.8, 1/272, ISO 32.

Chihuly Red Tubes at Cheekwood A few days ago I visited the Cheekwood Estate in Nashville, Tennessee to photograph the Chihuly glass exhibit and spent the morning capturing these IR photos of these beautiful pieces! Tech Info: iPhone 11 Pro, 720nm filter, Moment Filter Adapter, 1.5mm wide lens (13mm equivalent), f/2.4, 1/15sec, ISO 500, Edited in Snapseed and Adobe RAW.

Chihuly Red Tubes at Cheekwood

A few days ago I visited the Cheekwood Estate in Nashville, Tennessee to photograph the Chihuly glass exhibit and spent the morning capturing these IR photos of these beautiful pieces!

Tech Info: iPhone 11 Pro, 720nm filter, Moment Filter Adapter, 1.5mm wide lens (13mm equivalent), f/2.4, 1/15sec, ISO 500, Edited in Snapseed and Adobe RAW.

November 25, 2018 - Day 389 - iPhone 7 Plus Daily B/W Photo Challenge - Pokémon Damion - Click photo for larger view.

My Long Term iPhone B&W project comes to a close

Above: My nephew Damion is one of our budding artists in the family and at left he sports a Pokémon mask that he made, before we head off for church.

Well, it seems that day 389 is where I stopped my current long term project of shooting a back and white photographs using my iPhone 7 Plus, after missing a couple days due to the winter crud going around here in Western Kentucky. When I started the project on October 31, 2017 I wanted to see just how far it would take me and I’m there! At first my goal was to do it for a year, then that turned into 400 days, and though I am shy of that goal, I’m still extremely happy with the project and the photos I’ve got over the last 389 days. Who knows, it might well just turn into a book project next, but that’s for another post down the road.

With that being said here’s my parting shot for this series, which was taken two days after my last portrait.

I hope you all have enjoyed the photos of my nieces, nephews, family, friends and interesting things that have come across my iPhone 7 Plus during the project.

So, now that this one’s over I thought I’d reflect back on what I’ve learned from this personal photography project and share my thoughts on how taking on a personal one of this nature can go about improving anyone’s photography.

First, this isn’t my first long term project that I’ve done over my photography career. I’ve done several year-long ones in the past and the most recent before this one was for a gallery display that was called 100 Veterans of Hopkins County, where I made portraits of 100 Veterans that live in Hopkins County, Kentucky.

Every time I decide to do a project like this it’s because I want to challenge my self to improve in some aspect of my photographic life. With the Veterans project I wanted to improve my portrait photography skills and also give back to the Veterans in my community and with this most recent iPhone project I wanted to challenge myself to shoot more photography with my iPhone to better learn just what it is capable of and I’m sure you’ll agree, if you’ve been following my progress, it’s a lot!

All photographers are able to capture one or several outstanding photographs in a year or lifetime and that in itself isn’t all that impressive because everyone will achieve this at some point or another. However, being able to take good or great photographs regularly is something else entirely! Anyone can eventually take a good photo, but in order to stand out in the crowd of today’s digital onslaught of photographers you need to be able to create a collection of good photographs and a long-term project can help you achieve that.

One way to learn how to create great photographs on a regular basis is by working on a project and that is why they are important for both artists and photographers alike! They don’t just help you to improve technically, but also artistically and help to improve your visual focus. Of course the success of a project is always rests with the audience for your photography, so a long-term photography project challenges you to improve the way you express yourself through your photography and forces you to communicate your thoughts and ideas better through your pictures.

A project also can help you to focus on one aspect of your photographic journey that you feel you may not be the strongest in! It can also keep you from shooting randomly and reaching toward a goal in your photography.

When doing a long-term photography project there will be those days when you just can’t get motivated and nothing seems worthy of your camera lens! Don’t worry, it happens to everyone, but some of the following tips may help you get through those slumps like they did with me.

First and foremost, announce to the world your intention to do a year long, month long or whatever length of photography project on related social media platforms such as Facebook Groups, Instagram, Twitter, ect! By doing this it will help hold yourself accountable to complete it and your family, friends and followers will help cheer you on and see your daily contribution to your project. Upload your pictures daily as well! If you wait and do them weekly you’ll find it less engaging and difficult to keep up with.

Make a list of photo ideas for the length of your project. Doing a year long one? Then come up with one or two words for a theme for each day of the year to photograph. Perhaps, do the same thing for a month at a time such as, December could be Christmas and for the whole month you shoot photos related to that holiday. The options are limitless so brainstorm and make a list that contains ideas that you can refer back to on those days that you’re not inspired!

Well, there’s so much more that could be covered in a post like this. Google “how to start a photography project,” and you’ll find a wealth of information and inspiration!

No it’s on to my next project, Long Exposure Photography! – Keep shooting everyone!