Eastern Railroad Discussion > Blairsville, PA "Tree Tunnel"

For a while I have wanted to get a train in Blairsville passing under the bridge on E Market Street. To get a train with good sun is a bit of a challenge- given the fact that the tracks are lower and the trees form even more of a "wall" above the tracks there is only a brief window when the sun is in the right spot. This time of year it is just around noon, but it may be workable from approx 11:30am to 1:00pm. And you need a train to show up!

While on a lunch break the other day, I heard a 14G was on the way, and it would likely be there right before noon. So I drove to the bridge, parked and sure enough within a few minutes the train arrived. After this I hit Sheetz and was back to work...this was at 11:45am on Weds, 5/17.

Rob Bennett
Fairview, PA

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Nice catch on your lunch break.
John

Nice video!

Nice video.

A way to predict sun position I've found helpful is
"The Photographer's Ephemeris" which presents a
sun position graphic for a given location at a
specified day and time.
TPE for Blairsville, PA on 17 May 2017 at 1145 EDST
has the sun at 131.4 deg AZ and 61.8 deg EL.

TPE can be used it in conjunction with "AcmeMapper 2.1"
to calculate track tangent angles. The track tangent
comes out to be about 152-332 deg.

From AcmeMapper, I note your location for the
video was N 40.43102 W 79.26092.

TPE is available at no cost for desktops and
laptops. A modest fee (about $10)
is charged for smartphone and tablet users.

AcmeMapper 2.1 is free.

As you keep notes on each location, such as
the Blairsville, PA shot, you may record if
the sun was in a good position and use TPE
to get sun position data and to determine
if the sun will be suitable for photographic
purposes on another date/time/location.

For example, using the Blairsville, PA East
Market Street bridge location.

Let us assume you wish to get sun on the
currently shadowed side of the train.
With TPE, you can predict where the sun will
be and make a "go/no-go" determination prior
to visiting the spot.

You can tell if the sun is going to be too low
in the sky and have the trees shadow the whole
"tunnel" or determine a range of sun elevation-
azimuth angles for the location.

http://app.photoephemeris.com

http://mapper.acme.com/

I am currently compiling a tutorial on both
of these programs and will send it along
upon request.

Be Well,

Tim Colbert K3HX

Wow, thanks Tim! I would interested in this. I usually just use Suncalc.net, which is simple but seems to be accurate.

Rob Bennett
Fairview, PA
http://youtube.com/user/SirDopeyTheBear/featured