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".

Cross Purposes

Adelaide's Swimmers Are Well Trained

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Of all the beaches I've been to, all round the world, I've never seen one quite this unique - where you have to watch for mini-trains as you cross the street. This is the beachside tourist train (narrow-gauge, of course) that I photographed in the blogpost Everybody's Doin' The Loco Emotion. It was just a nice juxtaposition of images - the level crossing sign, the crooked tree, the white sand, the sea and the brooding grey sky on a hot summer evening. Nice range of colours, too.

Everybody's Doin' The Loco Emotion

Train Drivers Just Love To Express Themselves

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

The light was right, the view was unusual - and there was no time to waste, because the historic narrow-gauge engine was just pulling out of the station. I took this shot in Adelaide, South Australia and it was a toss-up to determine whether I was puffing more than the vintage engine! This mini steam engine runs up and down the beachfront, with level crossings marking entry points to the beautiful stretch of beach that runs past Semaphore and Port Adelaide. It was late evening and I was right down the pier at Port Adelaide when I heard the train pulling in. I had to sprint down the pier and across the white, soft sand to get to the station just before the train pulled out - in reverse, back towards Semaphore. It was actually moving away and I only had time to shoot four or five frames. This was the last of them and the one I was happiest with.

FOOTNOTE: Just another steamy episode.