Show Us Your Best Train Shots!

Look for this box on our Facebook page.

Thanks to the social media site Facebook, you can now upload your photos for all of ChasingSteel.com’s fans to see and comment on. To upload your photos, first you need to become a fan of ChasingSteel.com on Facebook.  You can easily do that by clicking on the “Become a Fan” button on the Facebook graphic in the right column if you are not a fan already.

Once you have become a fan you need to go to our Facebook page. On our Facebook page look in the left column of the page for the box with the text “TO UPLOAD FAN PHOTOS:” in it.  Simply click on the link listed below the text and follow the prompts.

I look forward to seeing some shots from all over the world and I would like to extend my thanks, in advance, for contributing and being part of the process!

Second Chance for 3751 at San Bernardino Railroad Days

SB Railroad Days Flyer

According to the San Bernardino Railroad Histroical Society’s (SBRHS) web site, one week after the Santa Fe 3751 leads the San Diego Steam Special II from Los Angeles to San Diego and back, the 3751 will make a trip between Los Angeles and San Bernardino as part of San Bernardino’s Railroad Days & Bicentennial Celebration.

The San Bernardino Railroad Days & Bicentennial Celebration will be held at the San Bernardino Train Station on Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m and according to the event’s web page:

Not only will you be able to walk through the cab of the train, you will also be able to ride the train! On Saturday, May 8 you can board the train from Los Angeles and arrive in San Bernardino to enjoy the 2-day extravaganza. Dress in period clothing to truly experience the steam engine days.

Once you step off the train you will encounter antique cars and trucks, a demonstration from a steam-powered fire engine, a new state-of-the-art locomotive from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, bands playing festive music, model railroads from multiple railroad clubs, and a display of Women in Railroading.  There will be food vendors, but you may want to order something from one of the Harvey Girls, waitresses from the famous Fred Harvey restaurants that sprung up along the Santa Fe lines going West.

Saturday May 8, 2010 coincides with National Train Day, the details of which can be read from this post National Train Day - Discover and Learn About Railroads and Trains.  I plan on being in Los Angeles on the 8th and San Bernardino on the 9th.  I hope to see you there!

Two Days at Lavic, Trains Galore

Over the Valentine’s Day weekend last February, Deb and I spent our time out on BNSF’s Needles Subdivision. Yes, Deb was up for it, mostly because it was also a new moon weekend which is ideal for her favorite endeavor of star gazing, but partly because she wants me to be happy! ;-)

We chose the BLM land near the railroad’s curve at Lavic, California as our campground.  We were blessed with great weather and little to no wind.  The trains were plentiful, as is typical along the “BNSF transcon.” Consequently, collectively we shot over 800 photos and 32 videos.

I have done the post processing of the better photos and some of the video footage has been edited as well.  I have added about 80 more photos to my portfolio.  For those of you not familiar with the Needles Sub, here is a sample of the scenery surrounding Lavic:

The rest of the photos from the Lavic trip and all my other photos can be viewed by clicking on my “portfolio” link in the menu bar at the top.  Once there you can view the photos in a slideshow format, rate the photos, and even purchase prints or downloads.  Here is what the portfolio page looks like:

My “Portfolio” page

Six videos have been created so far.  I created the “Trackside” series which can be viewed on Chasing Steel’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/chasingsteel.  I am pleased with how the videos are coming along so far.  Here is what my channel looks like on YouTube:

Chasing Steel’s YouTube Channel

As always, feel free to let me know your thoughts or comments. ;-)