Railfan & Railroad Photo Line

Photo Line: A Preview of CRP&A’s Conversations 2024

Three Bangor & Aroostook BL2 locomotives stand at Northern Maine Jct. near Bangor, Maine, in the early 1980s. The night photography of Railfan & Railroad Founding Editor Jim Boyd will be highlighted in a presentation by editors Steve Barry and Otto Vondrak at the Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s annual conference near Chicago. Photo by Jim Boyd. 

Photo Line: A Preview of CRP&A’s Conversations 2024

The Center for Railroad Photography & Art‘s annual conference, Conversations 2024, is starting on the right track with a full day of programming at the Illinois Railroad Museum, on June 14. An exciting exhibition reception will finish up the day centered on the show, Requiem for Steam: Railroad Photographs of David Plowden. The conference will continue on June 15 and June 16 at Lake Forest College. This year’s presenters include photographers, fine artists and some wonderful new and upcoming railroad photographers. This conference is poised to offer all the bells and whistles that bring conference attendees back year after year. This event is sold out, but more information can be found online here. Here’s a preview of what’s on deck…

Cattle Train Finale

Tom Brown will cover a 20-day photography journey in 1975 to capture livestock train operations on the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern in the waning days of cattle movement by rail. The coverage begins with a roundup on a ranch in southwestern Montana and follow the ranchers and cattle from loading at the railheads to auction in Columbus, Nebraska, contrasting the characteristics of UP’s mainline stock train operation with that of a rustic BN branch line.

Paid to Railfan

Dan Hadley blended an early fascination with railroads and a love of videography into years spent producing Pentrex railroad videos with 80 titles to his credit. He states, “I am fortunate to have worked in my chosen profession and to have the opportunity to turn a hobby into a career.” Hadley will share how he was paid to be a railfan in a special video-focused presentation.

Fine Art — From Across the Pond

Phillip Hawkins’ childhood spent surrounded by the sights and trains of Birmingham, England, in the 1950s and 60s, is responsible for his enduring passion for railways. After graduating from Birmingham College of Art, he worked in the railway industry as a technical illustrator and then as a press photographer and freelance illustrator before taking his chances with fine art. Samples of his original work and prints are to be found across the world and in two fine art books published in 1998 and 2005. A third volume of his work is currently in the works.

Inside the Nevada Northern

Jennifer Fowler and Ben Kuhns will show highlights from their photographic work at the Nevada Northern Railway from 2016 to present day. What began as a single trip to the NNRY for a photo scholarship has become years of photography and hundreds of volunteer hours for both presenters. Their different approaches to documenting NNRY will be on full display as they showcase one of the country’s best preserved examples of heritage railroading.

 

The Photography of Phil Hastings

Tony Reevy’s presentation, “The Railroad Photography of Phil Hastings,” showcases selected images from his 2023 book of the same name, published by Indiana University Press. This book, The Railroad Photography of Phil Hastings, explores the life and influential work of this noted photographer. Along with his contemporaries, Phil Hastings (1925-1987) changed the way we look at the North American railroad. Influenced by the photojournalistic movement that developed during their childhoods, these visionaries expanded their work from traditional locomotive roster and action shots to a holistic view of the railroad environment. “The Railroad Photography of Phil Hastings” features black-and-white photographs from throughout Hastings’ career, including his groundbreaking work with noted author and editor David P. Morgan.


Center for Railroad Photography & Art

This article was posted on: June 5, 2024