Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit the Shreveport/Bossier City area for an early safety meeting. After these meetings, I love to find a peaceful spot where I can walk, stretch my legs, and enjoy some quiet time with the Lord. On this occasion, I found myself drawn to the Louisiana Boardwalk along the beautiful Red River.
Today, I was reviewing some of my old railroad-themed photography, searching for my best shots to share with the railfan community. I came across a set of images taken back in 2012 of a group of locomotives and cabooses at the BNSF facilities in La Mirada, California, on a dreary May afternoon. What makes these images unique and particularly interesting for modern railfans is that every piece of equipment I photographed was still in the colors of the old Santa Fe Railroad.
This is one of my favorite photographs, and I cherish it for several reasons. Firstly, it was taken at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California, which is one of my favorite places on Earth. Secondly, it’s railroad-related, and the intriguing part is that it looks as if I used a time machine to capture the scene.
I took this shot back in 2009, but it could easily have been taken in the 1930s or 40s. Everything in this image is from that period—well, almost everything. From the streetcar to the buildings, the railroad crossing sign, the street lights, the power poles, and the traffic signal, all reflect vintage Southern California. I feel like I truly captured the essence of that era.
What I love most about this museum is that it features numerous well-preserved locations, including buildings, signs, vintage cars and trucks, as well as vintage railroad equipment, such as old LA streetcars like this one. Unfortunately, if you look closely enough, you can spot an item that seems out of place for the 1930s, which somewhat spoils the illusion.
I enhanced the photo using a couple of filters that give it a vintage look. These enhancements really bring out the nostalgic feel and composition of this photograph.
Last week, I stayed overnight in Shreveport because I had an early morning meeting in Bossier City. After the meeting, I decided to visit one of my favorite places in Shreveport, Riverview Park, which is located alongside the majestic Red River. The weather was pleasantly cool for a change, with a lovely layer of fog hanging in the air, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to stretch my legs and take some photos of the area.
A couple of weeks ago, Terri and I took a day trip to historical Jefferson, Texas. We instantly fell in love with the place. So, when I had to travel to Arkansas and Northeast Texas on Monday, I couldn’t resist taking a detour back to Jefferson. During our previous visit, Terri and I were tourists. This time, however, I was in photographer mode, feeling that the images I captured on our first visit didn't truly do justice to the magic of Jefferson.
This past weekend, Terri and I headed out to East Texas to spend the day in the historic town of Jefferson. Neither of us had ever visited this charming town before, but I had picked up a brochure about it during one of my stops at the Texas Welcome Center in Waskom, which is just west of Shreveport off Interstate 20. I have been interested in exploring East Texas for some time now, so I’ve been collecting brochures about the area for about a year. Before settling in Louisiana, Terri and I had seriously considered relocating to Tyler, but we opted to move closer to our family instead. Nevertheless, our fascination with this part of the country has never left us.
One of my favorite subjects to photograph in Louisiana is the ex-Crowell & Spencer Lumber Company Steam Locomotive #400. There’s something about capturing images of this locomotive that draws me in. This old locomotive has a presence that resonates with me profoundly. If a picture conveys a thousand words, then this piece of railroad history speaks directly to my soul.
In 2016, my wife and I embarked on a Saturday adventure in Bakersfield, California, which turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences we've ever had. On a whim, we discovered the Kern County Museum, and being history enthusiasts, we couldn't resist the chance to explore its treasures. What awaited us was a delightful surprise that far exceeded our expectations.