The Danbury Railway Museum has an arrangement with Western Connecticut State University's photography professors which gives their students free admission when they are there for a class assignment. Up until yesterday, the students come in on their own, one or two at a time. Yesterday, for the first time, we had an entire class and their professor come as a group. I had the honor of being their host and guide. Naturally, I took a few pictures of my own, including this group shot. And four other photos-- Getting started. Student and Professor. Students at work.
Hope there's some actual side interest in the museum and equipment! Nothing like this in my area. If there were, most likely, they'd be doing "nature" type stuff. Proximity of National Park, etc..... Boxcab E50
And here I've had to go & learn RR photography the hard way.......still, it's good to see a class like this- perhaps we'll have a few new railfans out of this batch.
Hank - I have to admit, I chose the backdrop Bob - That is my hope, too. I like working with the students and do everything I can to instill a love for both photography and trains. The professor and I were both quite pleased with what the students did in seeking out pictures. They were more thorough than some railfans in going for details. Several of the students told us they want to come back to do more pictures.
Can there be a better place for students to practice their photography? Railroad equipment is so photogenic, overall and in detail. Some of the images made that day will be superb, I am sure. Would be good to see some of them. Pierce, did you take more pics of the students at 'work'?
No, I didn't. I was busy working with them. Many of them will be back, I am sure. Also, the professor indicated we would probably have other classes. I am now trying to get the cooperation of both the museum and the school to arrange an exhibit of the student's work, perhaps toward the end of the school year. One of the requirements of this professor is that the students donate copies of their best pictures, shot at the museum, for the museum's archives.
Hey - I lived in Danbury for a few years - here is a shot from 1980 - but I don't remember exactly from where except it was south of Danbury in CT. Any ideas where I was???
That does have the look of early fall in New England. As to just where that picture was taken, I don't know. In 25 years a lot can change. A lot of the Danbury branch goes through areas that may still be wooded, but also have been built up a great deal. Tim- You note you are in Western Michigan. Where? I lived in Buchanan for a few years and graduated from Michigan Tech.
This was shot in October - I think it was The Valley Railroad Company (?) - had a logo similar to the old New York, New Haven, and Hartford. One of the engines was a 2-8-0 - number 97? (I live in Holland MI.)
It is a little hard to tell, but that looks like it could be Valley's number 97. If so, then you were not far from Essex, CT, which is in the southeast corner of the state.
The red foliage in the background looks like Poison Sumac from what I remember growing up in the Northeast.
There was sumac out there, but most of the reddish orange stuff was sassafras - which my mom used to make tea from.
The college up here doesn't do anything like that. There are photography classes, but everyone probably takes pictures of Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, Shasta Lake, or that stupid "Sun Dial Bridge" that was built over the Sacramento river near Turtle Bay.
