Recently, Martin Hansen posted a beautiful photo of Sumpter Valley Heisler No. 3 on another board. I have visited Sumpter Valley three times, all on photographers specials run by Martin. The first one was in the fall, October, 2003 and I was still shooting film. The second was a White Pass and Yukon charade with 2-8-2 No. 19 disguised as WP 81, in May 2006, my first railfan photos with a DSLR. The third was in May of this year, as No. 19 was running out of time on the 15 year, 1472 hour FRA steam rule. I just rescanned some of the negatives from 2003 (print film) and would like to promote the Sumpter Valley operation. I will do it in short segments, otherwise it will disappear off the board in no time. Sumpter Valley is photogenic at night And early in the morning Both of these from 2003.
Jim- Aren't you a moderator of this forum? If so, you can make the topic stay by making it a sticky! Beautiful pix!!!!!!!! Boxcab E50
Awesome Jim...My trip out there in September was awesome...no night shots but so much history and a well run show...took my dad with me...prceless. I feel the need for steam... http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/2322
Thanks, guys. Michael, I see from your album that you really checked out the facility there. Amazing how much stuff is around, isn't it? Did you see the dredge? :tb-biggrin:
Continuing on with the versatility of this operation, you can photograph the trains in fall, with colors on the trees. And you can photograph it in the spring, when snow is still present on the Elkhorn mountains nearby.
I love fall photos. The colors make such a fantastic backdrop. I had hoped to take a few pictures this year, but stiff winds cleaned the trees in a couple of days. Boxcab E50
You can even photograph the White Pass and Yukon at Sumpter Valley, on certain occasions when the outstanding crew there disguises their engines and rolling stock. Closeup
Ken, yes it is, quite a few cars, in fact. I haven't made this a sticky because I don't want to promote my own stuff. I'll just continue to add to it for a day or two more, with Heisler no. 3 coming up. :tb-biggrin:
Here is Heisler No. 3. She is a true wood burner and will be the only steam locomotive running at Sumpter Valley while 2-8-2 No. 19 goes through her 15 year, 1472 hour FRA form 4 work. More recent shot, in this scenic place.