Railfan Photo Line - February 2010

Railfan Photo Line welcomes your submissions. We're looking for a themed topic (and "theme" can be interpreted fairly broadly) with five to eight photos. Each photo should be no smaller than 14 inches (or 1024 pixels) across at 72 dpi (no verticals, please). Brief caption information must accompany each photo. The best way to submit Photo Line candidates is via e-mail with "Photo Line" in the subject line and no more than two photos attached per e-mail. Please send your submissions to Editor Steve Barry for consideration.

Welcome to Photo Line! Southern California — far Southern California, down below Los Angeles — provides one of the most scenic and diverse locations for shooting passenger trains. Pleasant weather and colorful paint schemes make it a favorite place to visit for this photographer. The following photos were shot with a Nikon D200 digital body and a Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 telephoto lens.

Amtrak at Del Mar, California The cliffs of Del Mar provide a pleasant perch to watch passenger trains. Amtrak California has its own paint scheme, and the Pacific Surfliners provide frequent action as they parade along the ex-Santa Fe between Los Angeles and San Diego. Steve Barry, October 28, 2009 Coaster at Del Mar, California San Diego's commuter service, the Coaster, goes as far north as Oceanside, where it meets with Metrolink. This train is actually pushing towards San Diego with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Steve Barry, October 28, 2009 Sprinter at San Marcos, California Using a former Santa Fe branch line, the Sprinter offers diesel-powered light rail service between Oceanside and Escondido, a distance of 22 miles. Control Point ("CP") Missy marks the end of double track just west of the Palomar College station. Steve Barry, October 27, 2009 San Diego Trolley at downtown San Diego, California Now covering 53.5 miles and 53 stations, the San Diego Trolley is a modern light rail system (despite its quaint name). The America Plaza station in downtown San Diego, just across the street from the classic Santa Fe depot, is a busy transfer point between the Orange Line to El Cajon and the Blue Line to the border at San Ysidro. Steve Barry, October 29, 2009 San Pedro Trolley on the waterfront at San Pedro, California Nestled beneath the gantries of the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the San Pedro Trolley brings back memories of the classic Pacific Electric interurbans. The line serves Long Beach's cruise ship terminal and operates on weekends. Steve Barry, October 29, 2009