Saturday, February 21, 2009

Blow Hot, Blow Cold

Getting Warmer All The Time

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


This was just one of those lucky shots. You know what I mean – you just happen to be in the right place at the right time? We were in Adelaide two years ago for a family wedding and the next day we decided to head to Semaphore Beach, despite the whipping wind and a moody grey sky.

I struck out towards the pier, in the opposite direction to the rest of the family – and that’s when I saw this miniature train. It’s a narrow-gauge locomotive that ends its run at the beach and I could tell from the sound of the bell that they were summoning the last of the tourists before it reversed away from the station.

I’m no world-class sprinter, but I sucked in the air and concentrated on a decent stride pattern as I tried to cover about 400 metres in double-quick time. I got there a couple of seconds after the train started moving, but it was still going slowly enough for me to take half-a-dozen shots.

I guess you could say this was tunnel vision. Or maybe we should make that funnel vision instead. Okay, let’s just say this shot is a hot favourite.

And I thought I'd add this picture, for a closer look at the train's headlamp. Did anyone notice the special silver gaffer tape around it in the first frame?

If you didn't, check out this shot for a smile ....


Post-script: There have been a couple of comments on this post that I must highlight here. The first one was from Jinksy, who said: "Funny, I thought train drivers usually faced front!" Yes, Jinksy, but this is Australia and we're upside down ... no, so I'm kidding. The train, as I explained, was at the end of the line and was reversing. That's why the driver was looking backwards.

The second one was from Artist Unplugged, whose witty response was: "I hope you said, 'Gotta run or I'm going to miss my train'!" Um, no, my brain didn't work that quickly. But you've made my day with your witty riposte.

Extra, extra, read all about it: I've been interviewed here.
Thank you to all those who have already followed this link and checked out the interview. There have been so many wonderful comments and votes that I've tried to reply to each one personally - but you're setting a cracking pace. My humble and heartfelt thanks to all of you for the wonderful tributes and thoughts you have shared on the interview.


Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Warm".

36 comments:

Carol Murdock said...

Well aren't you just the lucky one, always in the right place at the right time? Great shots !!

Working Mum said...

Gotta love steam trains. We went on one this week at the Science Museum. Daughter loves them - something to do with Thomas the Tank Engine I think!

Anonymous said...

David
What a fascinating life you have lived. Wonderful to read about it !

Thanks for leaving your comments on my blog, that meant a lot to me !

Barbaloot said...

Cool article. Congrats!

CJ said...

I love stem engines:D.i am one of the few kids of my generation who actually got to see working steam engines at our town.we had a turning table which to turn the engine and then it would attach to the other end of the train.wow it brings back such great memories!!

Jazz said...

I love old fashioned trains. Great pics David.

katherine. said...

I love love love trains. interesting take on warm....

I'm heading off to read the interview

Leesa said...

Love the photos, and the blog.

And trains are so . . . irresistable.

Robynn's Ravings said...

Lovely colors - loved the interview. Good points. Only been in the blogging world for a little over two months and it is SO gratifying to make people laugh and see so many coming in! Thank you for words of encouragement!

ArtistUnplugged said...

I hope you said, "Gotta run or I'm going to miss my train!" Neat photo.

Jinksy said...

Funny, I thought train drivers usually faced front?!

get in here said...

Great luck - great pic! Really been enjoying your blog.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I must say, the photos are worth the sprint you made :)

Have a great weekend, David :)

Janet said...

That's so cool! You find all the good stuff.

aims said...

Hey David - go have a look at When the Dogs Bite for a pic of a great door!
http://whenthedogsbite.blogspot.com/2009/02/last-bolsover-castle-pictures.html

btw - loved the interview David. Is there anything you can't do?!
:0)

Anonymous said...

These little steam trains are fascinating aren't they. We have one or two running around miniature tracks in various theme parks and I find them enchanting.

CJ xx

Rune Eide said...

Veteran railways are fun - I have literally hundreds of pictures from various British ones - and haven't posted one :-(

Nessa said...

Cool. I love trains. One of the biggest things I miss about Europe is getting around on trains.

Eve said...

Oh my gosh - what a find! How FUN!

Maggie May said...

You certainly do capture exciting things, David and your sprinting seems to get you where you want to be. Good photos..... but then they always are!!

Your interview was very good and I learned lots of tips.
Well worth pressing the *here* sign, people!

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Great interview and super photo. I agree with Maggie!

Under A Lilac Tree. said...

I love those moments where you just do something different on impulse and then you land on an adventure. It's like you were meant to discover this and if you didn't choose that oath you would've missed out.

Nice blog and great shots! You have quite a life!

Hilary said...

Great shots.. right on track as always. ;)

Simon Ovidiu said...

I like old fashioned trains!!!!
Great picture!!!

Visit My Blog
By Arcadia

Mandy said...

Nice photos!
-Mandy
yabr.blogspot.com

Baumb said...

The article rocks! Super :]

Eddie Bluelights said...

Hi David, As a newcomer to blogging (with just 3 postings) I find all your posts very interesting. I must remember to take a camera with me - everywhere! Great shots of the train. I used to run 6 miles a day but now couldn't run for a bus, let alone a train.

Cath said...

Ahhh a good old fashioned train. Love 'em. Those were the days. *sigh*

How are you all doing in Melbourne now? You've dropped off the face of the international news but it must be pretty harrowing in places still. Hope everyone is ok.

Unknown said...

What a charming series of photographs. Great subject, trains.

judi/Gmj said...

I love the gent driving backwards! I took out a tree and removed my rear view mirror doing that. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting, it's always nice to have visits from authors.

Michelle said...

When I first looked at the photograph the sign didn't look real. Like you photoshopped it in.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

I'll say that it is past warm and toasty

Anonymous said...

Oh that was a nice experience you have. I seen like that in a Museum of Nebraska they have big and small old train its a century old...Thanks for sharing it.

ancient one said...

Interesting Warm shots you have. I hope the fires have ended by now? So sorry for everyone who suffered.

Merisi said...

Help, I don't get the joke about the gaffer tape! :-(

The gaffer tape did bring back memories though, of listening to a favorite radio show of mine - Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion" - which carries "commercials" ("Not a problem if you remembered to bring duct tape along" or "Duct tape is more than a miracle adhesive; it's a balm for the soul of the unprepared and inept"), run by the "American Duct Tape Council" - listen here to NPR journalist Bob Edwards, bringing to you the message from the American Duct Tape council. ;-)

Happy weekend!

Jinksy said...

I find it pays to act quite dumb,
to raise a laugh and have some fun,
so backward driver shunting train
I knew would urge you to explain!