Yes, I’m having an incredible amount of fun with this trip.
And I had this one spot planned for a few years.
In 2022, I found a secluded area along the Zim Smith nature trail in Round Lake. The then-Canadian Pacific Holiday Train HAD to pass this location from Mechanicville to get to its next stop in Saratoga Springs. I could get the train’s festive holiday decorative lights as it chugged past the Ushers Road intersection.
But it was pouring rain that day, so I abandoned the shot and hoped for a future chance.
It’s now 2024, and here I am at the location.
And … I’m not alone.
Seriously. I’m not alone.
What was originally considered a secluded area was now overrun with at least 50 different railfans and onlookers. Wow. News travels fast.
Well, I’m not letting anyone get my prime spot. I staked my claim in a location and verbally called dibs. Because, as everyone knows, calling “dibs” is legally binding in most states.
A few minutes later, someone else set up their tripod next to me.
“Can we set up next to you?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said.
Apparently this railfan – along with his family – drove 4 hours from Scranton to see the Holiday Train. At one point in the Holiday Train’s history, Canadian Pacific actually ran the Holiday Train through Scranton and Schoharie and Schenectady … but those rail lines were sold off to another company, and since CPKC no longer owns that track, they cannot bring the Holiday Train to those locations. No matter. If the train won’t come to Scranton, Scranton can come to the train.
More arrivals. I saw the familiar green LED lights of a camera drone as it flew into the air. Another person had his ears tuned to a radio scanner, and announced to the crowd that the Holiday Train had just left Mechanicville.
Okay. Let’s see if this works.
Nikon Df at the ready, with my 20mm f/2.8 lens on the chassis. Ultrawide and F-stop open to its fullest.
And right on time … here comes the Holiday Train.
And I got this shot for my efforts.
Sweet. Jingle bells, jingle bells …
And just for a lark … I slowed my shutter speed, hoping to get some nice light trails on the train.
Sure enough … I got some nice light trails on the train.
So here’s what I plan to do.
Damn, that’s some sweet blur. Sweet, sweet blur.
Okay. I need to get some sleep. I’m still chasing this train, and this chase won’t work unless I get 40 winks and a hot meal in the morning. Fort Edward is on the trail for my next stop, and I want this to be as perfect as possible.
And in case you haven’t figured out from these blog posts …
This is one fun trip. I almost wish I could chase the Holiday Train all the way to the West Coast. 😀
Chuck The Writer 
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