pumping iron Photo

Photographer’s Note

On a clear autumn day, just after the first snowfall, a coal fired loc pushes up a wagon along Mount Washington's cog railway, situated in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, New England USA.

The railway ascends the mountain beginning at an elevation of approximately 2,700 feet (820 m) above sea level and ending at the summit of Mt. Washington at an elevation of 6,288 feet (1,917 m). It is the second steepest rack railway in the world with an average grade of over 25% and a maximum grade of 37.41%. The railway is still in operation, using seven steam locomotives and one biodiesel powered locomotive. The railway is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long.

The railway was built by Sylvester Marsh of Campton, who came up with the idea while climbing the mountain in 1857. His plan was treated as insane. Local tradition says the state legislature voted permission based on a consensus that harm resulting from operating it was no issue — since the design was attempting the impossible — but benefits were guaranteed: The $5,000 of his own money he put up, and whatever else he could raise, would be spent largely locally. The railway is sometimes called "Railway to the Moon" because one state legislator remarked during the proceedings that Marsh should not only be given a charter up Mount Washington but also to the moon. After developing a prototype locomotive and a short demonstration section of track, he found investors and started construction.

Despite its incomplete state, the first paying customers rode in 1868; the construction reached the summit in 1869.

(source : wikipedia)

avene, BelCan75, leo61, Cretense, suzzz, gunbud, derek3755, ktanska, bukitgolfb301, adores, denisn72, jwmunro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

avene (10810) 2009-03-20 8:57

lol, Paul, love the title, the scene with passengers comfortably seated is quite a contrast with the other meaning if "pumping iron" :) but I have to ask - where were you standing to have this point of view? the result is great, purple wagon against the blue sky, and the tilt show well how steep the rails are.
I've wanted to go to Mt.Washington for a long time, but we've never got around doint that. my most ambitious plan is to climb it :)

best,
Kristine

Nicou (43649) 2009-03-20 9:19

Hello,

Très originale ton image, quelle pente, et la coueur du Wagon ros,e très original avec la fumée de la locomotive, superbe captage.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

silvan (873) 2009-03-20 10:18

Hi Paul,
An interesting shot creating a special effect. Very well done.
Silvano

goutero (444) 2009-03-20 10:43

It is not ordinary capture, interesting

BelCan75 (2416) 2009-03-20 11:17

Hello Paul,

What a colourful shot! I like this purple locomotive going up the mountain with a wonderful view of snowcapped mountains in the distance. Great light, details and contrast. That must be such an experience to ride on this little train. It looks like fun! Great work!

Greetings,
Ann

claudeD (11126) 2009-03-20 11:32

Hello Paul,

I like this shot very much.Excellent colors and sharpness.Very good and informative note.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

Jean-Claude

leo61 (42664) 2009-03-20 11:37

Hi Paul!
A fantastic wideangle effect.My first thought ,viewing the thumbnail was:Oh my god it`s a train accident,now I`m happy that everything is OK.
Great POV and perfect timing.
I love the purplr tones,the steam and the mountains in the distance.Good tight crop,too.
A great shot!!!!
Regards,leo

biglad (433) 2009-03-20 12:07

Hi Paul,

I like this shot, it's a great perspective and adds real dynamism to the image. The unusual colour of the train also adds to the overall effect of the shot. My one negative would be that the carriage is touching the edge of the frame on the left hand side, which distracts my attention a little bit. Overall though I really like it.

Cheers
Simon

sacimar (7013) 2009-03-20 12:09

Hi Paul,

I like this one! the perspective is amazing and the colour of the wagon is eye-catching. Great job, congratulations,

Regards

Sergio

vincz (19037) 2009-03-21 2:49

He he... this is a very funny one. A dream train going down in a dangerous way. Excellent effect.

marietom (31760) 2009-03-21 2:57

salut Paul,

J'aime beaucoup cette composition en diagonale. Les couleurs sont belles.
Bon we
Marie

Bluejeans (31417) 2009-03-21 3:52

Ola Paul ,
Linda esta cena com este comboio a vapor a empurrar este carruagem de passageiro os seus detalhes são lindos tem belas pinturas decorativas, bem original a foto , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Cretense (54554) 2009-03-21 6:23

Hello Paul!

Very impressive photo, very impressive wagon, fantastic deep purple colour! Excellent composition and framing, amazing diagonal perspective and flawless light managment! congratulations!

Hercules

suzzz (399) 2009-03-21 10:19

Paul hi
very very interesting original shot with lovely colors and contrast..very good light and details and superbe frame..
TFS and regards

mauro61 (14442) 2009-03-21 11:53

Ciao Paul,
immagine molto particolare ben ripresa con questa angolatura.
Molto particolari i colori e foto ben riuscita
buona serata
maurizio

diomed (3295) 2009-03-21 12:53

Hi Paul,
Very interesting POV, amazing deep purple colour, nice composition, excellent capture. Congratulations!
Nice WE
Antonio

raszid62 (2693) 2009-03-22 7:52

I greet
Very nice picture. Perfect,alive colours, excellent POV, well well-chosen frame and super subject.
The train supposedly with times of Wild West. Congratulations.

gunbud (27467) 2009-03-22 9:02

Hi Paul,
Beautifully clear vivid colors to the sharpley seen old rail car that stands out brilliantly between the vivid blue sky and freshly fallen snow.
Looks like a great way to slowly see the beautiful monutain scenery.
Regards, Tom

PJE (19322) 2009-03-22 9:04

Paul I really like the color of this caboose and I especially love the wide angle perspective here. I find it amazing the scope range of the Nikon 18-200 lens. And that is odd for me to confess seeing I am a Canon fan. Good work!

derek3755 (2341) 2009-03-22 13:23

Hi Paul

The wide angle shot make the loco appear as though its to topple over and this give us such a dramatic feel. Such a colourful loco too

Regards
Derek

ktanska (16353) 2009-03-23 0:46

Hi Paul,
Impressive shot of this classic mountain railroad. That wagon has interesting 'circus' style. Good wide and close angle. Diagonal lines show sawtooth effect. I'm not sure if it comes from too strong sharpening or some sort of resizing problem.
Kari

bukitgolfb301 (4381) 2009-03-23 4:32

Hello again my dear Paul

Great composition, dynamic expression and nice angle and framework.
This can be postcard and can be sold directly, I am sure. Marvelous and excellent. Congratulation on your great job !

Best regards and thanks for my sharing
Takero

adores (15225) 2009-03-23 17:39

Hi Paul!
I like this! It must be quite a journey:) - your pov gives a good idea of it! I like the colours and the colour of the train is excellent.

alibasarir (14233) 2009-03-24 9:44

merhaba paul,
inanılmaz güzel nefis bir görüntü.özellikle trenin değişik yapısı ve görünümü çok etkileyici.ayrıca ışık,renk ve netlikte mükemmel eline sağlık.
selamlar
Ali

faubry (32191) 2009-03-25 4:55

what pitty for this accident! strange because passengers are peacefully!!!
good composition
francine

mikele_pl (2304) 2009-03-26 8:47

Hi Paul,
a very interesting picture with superb clarity and rich colors, and some interesting information in a note. thanks for sharing

michal

sevy (12797) 2009-03-27 5:15

Bonjour Paul,

J aime beaucoup ce cadrage qui donne un sacré effet de desequilibre qui nous amene a suivre le mouvement de ce train coloré. Encore plus visible dans ce paysage enneigé.

Yves.

qpochet (1378) 2009-04-01 0:55

Hi Paul,

Interesting point of view and composition. I like the contrast between tha bright purple and the natural white snow, but also between what seems a very cold place in opposition to tha warm and comfortable train. Good light as well.
Nice job
Quentin.

denisn72 (6867) 2009-04-13 6:19

Hi Paul
This purple wagon is very attractive. I like its style and colours. Stunning point of view and details. Very informative note. Well done!
Best regards
Denis!

jwmunro (6851) 2009-09-01 10:50

Hello Paul -

Interesting composition but I guess it was the only way to fit everything in the frame. Wild color for a rail car, in my book, but that was what drew my attention to the image. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John