Nostalgia & History > Toto Tuesday: Then & Now Elevated

In time honored tradition we railfan photographers have loved shooting trains on a super-elevated curve. And why should we resist? There is always a tiny bit of drama in seeing a heavy engine consist rolling a train through a graceful curve that the track builders have constructed & track crews have kept maintained to the ‘perfect spec’. The visible impact comes in knowing the curve was elevated enough to accommodate a higher train speed, but not so much so that any part of the train is in danger of tipping over if it stops right there for some reason. Since the early 1980’s one of my favorite such spots to shoot is this one just east of MP 134 on BNSF’s La Junta Sub, formerly the Santa Fe’s Middle Division 1st District. Here’s a ‘then & now’ look only a few moons apart…

1. AT&SF 4003 leads train 403 E-8 through a speed restricted curve about 2 miles west of Strong City, KS on June 9, 1980.

2. BNSF 4109 is eastbound with routine re-routed stacker at the same location on February 9, 2013.

Thanks for looking!
Lance Garrels
santafe199



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/22 01:46 by santafe199.

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Looks like the telegraph poles have withstood the test of time. Classic!

Remember a 473 we shot here in 80.  Good Times. 

Roberto
PRose