My first train shot

Been a struggle for landscape photos this year so having heard that the new Tornado Steam Train was coming to Chester today thought I'd go out and give the camera a bit of use - it's the first time I've shot a train too so had a few practice shots on a couple of diesels going through just before. This is one of about 10 shots I managed to get away, others still need processing as I shot them in Raw.


Simon

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Hi Simon.

Great shot, well chosen setting.
At least you herd about a steam loco visiting your part of the world.

I missed the chance last week when a steam loco visited my part of the world. The track is only 700Mtr approx, away from my home location, but was not mentioned on the local news until after the event, maybe next time.

Take care.

Thanks Chris, here's another one, one of the first shots...

I used AFC, F13 and Hi continous shooting so rattled off a few whilst panning with the camera on a monopod - it seemed to work ok for the diesel train beforehand so I just gave it a try.

Out of 9/10 shots there's only 1 (last one) that's OOF - the AFC on the K5 takes the credit for that I think, worked perfectly

I don't think this was advertised locally much either TBH - I have a quick look on this website from time to time, some excellent info including timings

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/index.htm




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Thanks Simon, for posting another shot, also for that web address, I will put that in my favourites list.

Can’t make up my mind which shot I prefer, as both very good.

Take care.

Simon they're very good, especially as it was your first shot of a train. Was it going very fast?.
You used the same seetings I use on my K5 and K10 for fast moving trains although I tend to use a wider aperture to get a faster shutter speed. The top ranking locos like Tornado are allowed to go up to 75mph on the mainline and they often run at that speed.
That uksteaminfo website is very good for tracking down steam train movements on the mainlines.
David

Thanks David, I'm very pleased with them to be honest as I didn't really have high expectations of getting anything decent on my first attempt - not 100% sure how fast it was going, probably somewhere around 50mph at a guess. I only live 30 minutes from the line at Llangollen and I'm now tempted to spend a bit more time there trying a few more shots, especially as Tornado is spending a week there next April - I'm also planning to catch a glimpse of the Flying Scotsman once it's finally back in service

Pleasing shots, although I like the second one better since it has more context with the train emerging from the left - and the clouds work well in a 'remembered childhood' sort of way. In both of them the trackside vegetation all being blown to the left helps with the sense of speed of the train. Best of all the images aren't full of trainspotters...

Only just - they were all stood about 20yds to the right of me!!


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Heck, I wish I'd realised. I was trying to get some shots of a steam loco without overhead lines, but keep forgetting to look at that site.

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I was a passenger on that train Simon, so it's good to see some lineside views.

My pic shows Tornado in rather less attractive surroundings, taking on water at Nuneaton (unfortunately under a flat grey sky). If it is a little unsteady it is because we had just enjoyed a champagne breakfast...

One of my very earliest memories (mainly because it scared the life out of me) is of standing next to the Sir Nigel Gresley (in service!!) on York station in 1951. Shame I didn't have a camera with me - but then again, I was only 3.

Nice photos Simon

Andrew

I particularly like your second shot Simon. There was a spectacular double rainbow at some point on the return journey...it would be great if someone was fortunate enough to grab a shot of the train in the landscape with the rainbow behind it.