Western Railroad Discussion > Amtrak 182 at semaphores east of Wagon Mound

In contrast to the similar view I posted a couple of days ago (oops, on the Passenger Board, sorry here) of Amtrak 156 at the semaphores between Wagon Mound and Levi, NM, in which I was limited by the presence of other fans who had arrived first, here is the preferred view when nobody else is around, still from the stepladder. More of the mound can be seen above the train and everything can be centered. The pole line is very low here, so the wire is right next to my head. On July 6, Amtrak No. 182 (followed by the "Big Game Train" - marked No. 50, look close) leads the eastbound No. 4 Southwest Chief at speed past the semaphore intermediate signals. === === = === JLH



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/18 03:21 by highgreengraphics.

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It takes some effort to get close to the tracks there, extremely nice shot, total keeper considering the uncertainty
of the train and the line's usage.

Out

When you start using a ladder your a pro. That extra height gives you the perfect shot. Nice work.

Amazing they still exist. Equally amazing they are being replaced on a forgotten secondary mainline with heavy mountain grades which sees only 2 Amtrak trains north of ABQ, not even locals between Trinidad and ABQ. Do the semaphores still exist just west of Las Vegas,  visible from the road? This line fascinates me since I first saw it in 1989, That Amtrak engineer has one of the best jobs in the world, in my opinion. Incredible scenery which changes greatly between ABQ and Colorado.

Great shot, Jim! Thanks for sharing...

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

Thanks, and yes, the intermediates west of Las Vegas close to Romeroville still exist. The ones that were visible under the west overpass at Las Vegas were taken down over a decade ago. === === = === JLH



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/18 02:45 by highgreengraphics.

Fantastic shot, Jim!

Great catch. Not a common scene in modern era.

Posted from Android

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

You're a photographer of perfection.  Congratulations, Jim.  Gerry

Nice image.  Congratulations on IOTD.

Amazing shot!!
These shots always make me smile because in early February 2017, I had to drive ASAP from Phoenix to Omaha. After a few hours sleep just past Santa Fe, I headed north as it started to get light outside. I'd forgotten about the semaphores until just as the sun rose, I saw one from the highway with the low sun shining off the signal glass... and a huge great horned owl perched on the semaphore itself. I was towing a trailer and had a huge case of "get-there-itis" so didn't stop to get a photo, and I've kicked myself ever since. I passed Amtrak on the other side of Trinidad with some pronghorn on the other side of the tracks. Didn't get a photo of that either.
Thank you for doing justice to the beauty of that line and taking me back to that moment.

Really NICE shot!

Larry

Very nice..!!

Love your coverage of these classics!  Thanks

Nicely done! Your timing is spot on. May have to invest in a stepladder myself.

Thanks everyone - The stepladder may make you look kind of wacky, and is attention-getting. I began using one for two specific reasons, first being shooting photos on our local Mason St. to see over encroaching cars as they drove in front of me, and to get that little stripe above the running boards on Santa Fe Warbonnet units. Secondary reasons, the tracks seem to fan out at a more pleasing angle instead of being on a flat plane, you can look deeper into turntable pits, they are great in any kind of crowd, and a stepladder is of great use in a low spot or to see over weeds and snowdrifts. If you have a vehicle with a sleeping area the size of a sleeping bag, a 6-foot ladder rides on top neatly during the day. Also, you can mount a small ballhead on the top step to use as a quad-pod if you don't have your tripod. === === = === JLH