Steam & Excursion > The Smokiest Run-By Contest - Who Can Take The Prize?!

As the Pacific Northwest is getting drenched with rain and wind on this Saturday I thought I would challenge the folks here on T.O. to a contest to see who can come up with the most spectacular Smokey run-by photo.

This contest is open to both vintage shots like the one I posted here and to modern day photos as well.

This photo was taken by L.L. Bonney on a railfan excursion on the Amador Central in May 1948. The engine making all that smoke is a little Baldwin 2-6-2 from the McCloud River RR that was Amador Central #7 at the time of the photo.

OK guys, let's see your smoke shots!

Martin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/14 10:37 by LoggerHogger.

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Not perhaps as good as Amador Central #7, but more recently, here is Magma Arizona #7 on the Texas State Railroad, May 3, 2014

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1225/765 Doubledeaded from Alma to Cadillac, MI and return. 10/4/2009 The run-by was done on the return trip about five miles east of Cadillac, along Cavanaugh Rd. This is pretty much the smokiest ryn-by shot that I could find. I have others that are smokier, but they aren't run-bys.

-Froggie

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Good grief, there must be 30 people ON THAT ENGINE!

Here is a screenshot from my video - during the 2013 Lerro Productions Western Maryland 729 photo charter. 2-8-0 #729 is pulling just a caboose - and putting up lots of smoke - in a runby across the valley.

Jim Lipnitz
Morrisville, PA
Big Jim Video Productions

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I really should make a new scan of this, but here is what I have. The famous run up Cajon Pass in May, 1989.

Kit Courter
Menefee, CA
LunarLight Photography

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GF No. 2380 in the Ngwangwane Gorge, Natal SA on a David Rodgers tour, May, 2006. This location was so remote, we "borrowed" a farmers wagon to access the lineside. So do I win?

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CimaScrambler Wrote:
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> I really should make a new scan of this, but here
> is what I have. The famous run up Cajon Pass in
> May, 1989.

The only reason that 4449 was smoking THAT much was, our fuel truck never showed up in LAUPT, so the SP gave is engine lube oil and diesel fuel at the Colton diesel service rack.

These are the best I can give you with my very limited steam photo collection.

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Too early to declare a winner. I still see smoke rising.

Keep them coming!

Martin

thefracturedfrog Wrote:
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> 1225/765 Doubledeaded from Alma to Cadillac, MI
> and return. 10/4/2009 The run-by was done on the
> return trip about five miles east of Cadillac,
> along Cavanaugh Rd. This is pretty much the
> smokiest ryn-by shot that I could find. I have
> others that are smokier, but they aren't run-bys.
>
>
> -Froggie

I see very little actual smoke in your photo. Some very nice steam vapor clouds, however.

Just don't let Greenpeace or the NRDC see this thread!

LoggerHogger Wrote:
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> Too early to declare a winner. I still see smoke
> rising.
>
> Keep them coming!
>
> Martin

Martin,

Call me a hieratic but all I see are engines woefully misfired. I like to see an engine with just the slightest bi of haze out of the stack. That shows me a fireman who knows what he is doing.

J.

J.Ferris Wrote:
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> Martin,
>
> Call me a hieratic but all I see are engines
> woefully misfired. I like to see an engine with
> just the slightest bi of haze out of the stack.
> That shows me a fireman who knows what he is
> doing.
>
> J.

I would definitely agree with THAT!

Few if any pollution controls in South Africa!

While we all agree what proper firing is all about on a steam locomotive in normal service, the run-bys are something different.

Not to call out Jack, but as part of our 4449 crew even he has been known to put on a good smokey run-by show when asked to do so.

Case in point our return trip from Bend in 2012.

Nice smoke Jack.

Martin

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1. Union Pacific 3985 climbed the west slope of Altamont Pass. 2. Union Pacific 3985 leaves Denver Union Station. 3. Milwaukee Road 261 climbimg the hill in St Paul.

Chris



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/14 12:37 by Mudrock.

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LoggerHogger Wrote:
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> While we all agree what proper firing is all about
> on a steam locomotive in normal service, the
> run-bys are something different.
>
> Not to call out Jack, but as part of our 4449 crew
> even he has been known to put on a good smokey
> run-by show when asked to do so.
>
> Case in point our return trip from Bend in 2012.
>
> Nice smoke Jack.
>
> Martin

Thanks Martin, but that wasn't me. Pat Tracy usually fires that first leg from Bend to the service stop prior to crossing the Columbia River Bridge. That is when Doyle and I get on for the run to Portland.

Darn it Jack. I thought I had caought you on that. I will keep looking for one of yours.

Martin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/14 12:51 by LoggerHogger.

HotWater Wrote:
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> thefracturedfrog Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 1225/765 Doubledeaded from Alma to Cadillac, MI
> > and return. 10/4/2009 The run-by was done on
> the
> > return trip about five miles east of Cadillac,
> > along Cavanaugh Rd. This is pretty much the
> > smokiest ryn-by shot that I could find. I have
> > others that are smokier, but they aren't
> run-bys.
> >
> >
> > -Froggie
>
> I see very little actual smoke in your photo. Some
> very nice steam vapor clouds, however.

Yeah, yeah. 765 is typically well fired, so I didn't have much to choose from! :(