by mlrr
Hi guys,
I thought I would share my latest railfanning experience with you guys and gain your opinion.
During our stop in DC, my train (train 95) was making an engine switch. Like I have done so many times before, I went down to the head end of the train to photograph this activity. I photographed the train backing into the platform area (with the flash, as always and it was during a sunny day) like I always do and then stopped to watch the engine actually couple up with the train.
Now I do not know the technical jargon but I will do my best to describe what happened next. The engine backed up and made contact with the head car but did not couple. The engine seemed to back into the car a little harder than usual but nothing to cause alarm or concern judging by the yard workers reaction. The engine started rolling forward immediately after hitting the head car. From the sound of the engine, it did not sound like the engineer was throttling up to make sure that the couplers had coupled correctly or to get a "good stretch". It seemed like it started to freely roll. To me it looked like something went wrong but not seriously wrong.
The locomotive did eventually couple up with the head car and as soon as it did, I went up front to photograph the front of the locomotive (178 I believe) and not long after the engineer popped his head out and started yelling at me about my flash. This was the first and only time that this had occurred and I have talked with the yard workers overseeing the engine switch while I was taking photos. They had no problems with it either.
So I ask you this. Was I in the wrong and get what I deserved or was I the scapegoat?
NOTE: With regard to the flash, it was a bright sunny day and clear. I hardly noticed any flash from my camera and it was used to capture the motion of all the activity (it was on auto flash setting anyway)
I thought I would share my latest railfanning experience with you guys and gain your opinion.
During our stop in DC, my train (train 95) was making an engine switch. Like I have done so many times before, I went down to the head end of the train to photograph this activity. I photographed the train backing into the platform area (with the flash, as always and it was during a sunny day) like I always do and then stopped to watch the engine actually couple up with the train.
Now I do not know the technical jargon but I will do my best to describe what happened next. The engine backed up and made contact with the head car but did not couple. The engine seemed to back into the car a little harder than usual but nothing to cause alarm or concern judging by the yard workers reaction. The engine started rolling forward immediately after hitting the head car. From the sound of the engine, it did not sound like the engineer was throttling up to make sure that the couplers had coupled correctly or to get a "good stretch". It seemed like it started to freely roll. To me it looked like something went wrong but not seriously wrong.
The locomotive did eventually couple up with the head car and as soon as it did, I went up front to photograph the front of the locomotive (178 I believe) and not long after the engineer popped his head out and started yelling at me about my flash. This was the first and only time that this had occurred and I have talked with the yard workers overseeing the engine switch while I was taking photos. They had no problems with it either.
So I ask you this. Was I in the wrong and get what I deserved or was I the scapegoat?
NOTE: With regard to the flash, it was a bright sunny day and clear. I hardly noticed any flash from my camera and it was used to capture the motion of all the activity (it was on auto flash setting anyway)