Photophile Musings: “CSX 563 and CSX 5209”

The photo “CSX 563 and CSX 5209” used by permission. 

Ever since I was a small child, I’ve been fascinated by trains. It probably started as it did for me as it did for many children of the 90’s with Thomas the Tank Engine. While I’m certainly interested in passenger trains, I’ve developed a particular love for freight trains over the years! Railroad photography has always been something I’ve really been fond of as decor, so I wanted to put down some of my thoughts as to why this is.

It was only in recent years that I came to realize that trainspotting was an actual, recognized, and even well-respected hobby. It’s true that I love watching trains go by, especially the big freight convoys. In my years in Colorado, which is a major hub for many of the continental railroads, I saw more than a fair share of trains.

Whenever a train goes by, I always wonder where it’s going, whether it’s carrying passengers or freight. When they are hauling freight, I’m wondering constantly what exactly they’re hauling inside. It’s a fun little game to imagine what they may have in those big boxcars. It’s even more interesting when it’s a combination of freight and passengers. 

Who knows what stories the occupants of those trains have to tell? When it comes to freight, the cargo obviously won’t talk. But, that doesn’t make those massive cargo carriers any less interesting to me! I feel that modern life has greatly devalued trains in general. Most people see them more as an annoyance than anything else when they stop up traffic. People see commuter rails often as a necessary evil. But, really, trains are really freaking cool!

See more awesome railroad photography like these CSX trains by Thomas Slatin on her website!