Russo Loco Wrote:
Careful selection
> of photo locations can "bury" the rider gons and
> boxcars behind a curve or some trees - with the
> caboose(s) still visible - so authentic-looking
> photos of the front of the train are still
> possible.
The problem for me shooting video is that you cannot hide
anything. Folks want to see the whole train at least some of the time!! I have to deal with reality and show what the train REALLY looks like. I cannot just freeze-frame the engine coming out of Rock Tunnel!
>
> As it's becoming more and more expensive to run
> special trains - primarily due to rising insurance
> costs - hopefully some way can be found to
> encourage chasers to chip in.
Yes these things have become a huge gamble for all concerned not the least of which is the ticket-buyer who rolls the dice and wants the train to be as nice as possible. Today, versus 10-15 years ago I am less likely to pull the trigger on these trips, since the prospects of getting a good scenario seem to be less than 50-50 for a decent looking train. Its too much to gamble without some assurances ahead of time.
The other probem with the C&TS is the distances you have to cover for the crew time, and fuel. How many spots did you do photo runbys at from Antonito..Looks like 4 locations to me, MP 289, Whiplash, Phantom, and Rock Tunnel. Don't know what the cost was, but if it were say $200.00(and I suspect it was more), thats $50.00 per runby, plus the other shots you got at Water stops such as Sublette and Osier. The 1992 trip I did from Antonito was similar, although we did more than 4 runbys between Antonito and Cumbres. As I recall we did one a mile out of Antonito, MP 289, Whiplash, Sublette, Shelf west of Cascade Trestle, east of Los Pinos, Los Pinos Tank, and Tanglefoot Curve. These were with a mid-train helper. They ran a doubleheader between Sublette and Osier and no runbys in that section. The previous day we had done Phantom Curve and a couple others heading east. There are super spots in this whole region and a person could shoot 10 trains and not be bored!
Greg
