Waves or particles
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A humble narrator needs a break right about now, which is why single image posts depicting rail traffic observed in the greater Pittsburgh metro area will be greeting you all week.
Above is a shot of two Norfolk Southern trains snaking through the South Side Slopes section of Pittsburgh.
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Occlusions and such
Monday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A humble narrator needs a break right about now, which is why single image posts depicting rail traffic observed in the greater Pittsburgh metro area will be greeting you all week.
Pictured above is a CSX heritage unit moving along the shoreline of the Monongahela River with downtown Pittsburgh providing a backdrop.
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“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Terere tempus
Friday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After a short walk on a very hot day, one took up his now familiar station at the Sly Fox Brewery found in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats section.
A couple of enormous terminal buildings there create a puddle of shadow, in which one can shelter from the burning thermonuclear eye of God itself. Also, there’s cold beer and outside seating.
A grade crossing nearby hosts the typical sort of rail signal arms that ring bells and flash lights when activating, so you’ve got a good couple of minutes to get into position and figure out the exposure triangle before a train comes through.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Luckily, this was a busy time of day for CSX , and multiple trains were crossing through the POV. First it was #3316 pictured in the first shot, followed by #5432 above. The T light Rail is out for the summer due to maintenance, and whereas a shuttle bus is being offered in its lieu, I had already decided to splurge on an air conditioned cab to get back to HQ. By splurge, I mean spending about $13 plus tip.
I paid my tab, walked back outside, and summoned a ride.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
While waiting, CSX #3254 suddenly appeared. Lucky capture.
Back next week with something different at this – your Newtown Pentacle.
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Mortuus ambulans
Thursday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
That’s the Smithfield Street Bridge, here in Pittsburgh, pictured above.
I crossed back over the Monongahela River here, after having walked over the Birmingham Bridge previously. The corridor I was heading for on the other side has become one of my favorites for a photowalk. It’s where my original ‘long walk’ plan would have taken me, just with an extra five miles of scuttling thrown in.
Lots of rail action there, downtown Pittsburgh as a backdrop, and shadowed by the elevations of Mount Washington. Sweet.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
While crossing the river, the Towboat Haley Michelle was passing by, couldn’t resist a shot of its passage.
My plan at this point was to head over to the Sly Fox Brewery – as it’s called – and grab a Pilsner, then hang out for an hour or so hoping to catch some passing rail traffic.
I’ve zeroed in on a model of radio scanner which I’m planning on purchasing. It’ll let me know whether or not anything might be heading my way when I’m lurking about – but this purchase is an act which will move me dangerously close to railfanning.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
At the moment, I’m still depending on pure luck, as I was when CSX’s #4050 suddenly appeared and screamed right past me.
More tomorrow.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Ebrius est calor
Wednesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
That abandoned structure pictured above, found in Pittsburgh’s ‘Uptown’ section, feels like it might be my spirit animal.
One was scuttling along on a dangerously warm afternoon, guzzling water from a flask that I now carry religiously. I had a bit of a trek ahead of me, but had downgraded the breadth of the route due to the fierce weather. A plan was hatched, and a new destination and path decided upon.
It still surprises me how many abandoned structures there are here – not just in Pittsburgh – but in the many communities that cluster around the city. After the steel industry pulled up stakes, the population collapsed.
Apparently, it’s quite a palaver to try and do anything with these properties – due to red tape, politics, etc.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
One leaned into it, and soon found myself heading towards my new goal.
There’s a long stretch of fairly empty buildings and barren streetscapes to cross, between my spirit animal house nearby the Birmingham Bridge, and the downtown area. This is the very edge of the Downtown section, quite nearby the court houses and City Hall.
Some kid walked over to me, who appeared to be a creature of the streets, and scolded me for taking a photo which she thought she was in. ‘You have to ask permission to take somebody’s photo,’ she said. Rather than get into an argument with her, I just said that I didn’t take a photo of her, which I didn’t, and she sauntered away probably looking for someone else to annoy and boss around.
Lots of ad hoc constitutional scholars out there, these days.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
My short term goal is pictured above, the Smithfield Street Bridge over the Monongahela River. Given the atmospheric conditions, I decided that my best course of action would be to find some shady but photogenic spot where I might spy some passing Railroad action.
That brewery I like on the other side of the river, thereby, became my next walking target.
More tomorrow.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The Newtown Pentacle 