@ ChrisW, KevinM et al.
Yes the lights I used for this setup are all new experimental LED boxes that I engineered, designed and prototyped.
I have used high powered strobes ( 6500K) in the past for night photography, They put out a ton of light, but the quality of light is harsh, but you get an effective shutter speed of about 1/2000 of a sec, and typically f/5.6-8 at ISO 400. You also have to deal with longer actual shutter speeds to have the shutter open when the guy sets off the strobes manually, and long exposure shots such as the Milky Way shot at Osier you have to deal with the difference of color temperature between the strobe, ambient light and the Milky Way. KevinM handled that set up even better then I did and got a great picture that night. BUT that required a Generator, lots of cords, electronic syncs, extension cords strung out all over and etc. and bulbs cost about $75 each.
I also have 12 quarts halogen lights, each in the 300-750 watts each. They are at aprox 2700K ( yellow orange) and do put out a lot of light if you use enough of then together. The good thing about them is that they have a lot of the look of what would naturally be used in a rail yard of yore. The big drawback is that they need a LOT of amperage to drive them, Typically to use all of them I need to be on a couple of separate 20 amp circuits. Not generally available in rail yards. Also need heavy extension cords to handle the amperage. Bulb life fairly short, but inexpensive.
My new LED light boxes are 5000K, they put out 18000 Lumens each, but only draw < 2 amps each. I've engineered that the emitters are replaceable, and fairly inexpensive. I haven't done a full test yet, but I calculate that I can run all four boxes ( 72,000 Lumens ) off a car battery with a 1000 watt inverter, with enough power to last several hours. This opens up the ability to set up a night shoot most anywhere on the RR with little logistics required.
I can only speak for my posted photo. 4 LED light boxes 93 feet from 315's cab. MY metadata: Cannon 70-200mm 85mm, f/4, 1/30 @ISO 400.
I'm quite pleased with the lights, and a second improved version is in the works. I like the quality of the light, color is good, from that distance, exposure times are OK, on a black engine at night, with out blowing out the highlights.
Dave T.
