This is a true story about one of our Newnan Railroads. I have lived in my current house for nearly nine years which is about a mile or so from a Norfolk Southern railroad spur line to Senoia. And since we have lived here, about once a week just around midnight, we hear the horn of what we laughingly call “the Ghost Train!”
The reason we call it the ghost train is that we have never actually seen a train on the track. We have only experienced the spectral strains of the horn as it passes in the wee hours of the morning.
However, I had a surprise today. I heard the “ghost whistle” about 11 A.M. this morning. And although sometimes when the wind is blowing just right I can hear the CSX mainline in Newnan, this sounded closer.
So I grabbed the camera, and jumped in the truck, and headed for the nearest grade crossing. When I got there, I didn’t see or hear anything so I had to guess … should I go north or south. I knew that the train might be there, I just didn’t have any idea which way it was headed!
I guessed south, and headed down the road towards Sharpsburg and Turin. After a mile or so I spotted it through the trees and it was beautiful. A General Electric C40-9W with a single car in tow, headed towards Senoia at no more than 5 M/P.H.
That meant that I could jump in the truck, head down the road and get ahead of it, take some more photos, and then head down the line and take some more.
The engineer and I even had a conversation or two as he went past … and the last he shouted was “will you post the photos online?”
All I could shout back was “Google Newnan Railroads” as he disappeared for the last time.
I hope that he finds his engine in the search engine!
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That's a story my brother would love, and something he would do too! I'm sending him a link to your post.
Ann...
Thanks, it is a cool story. What is even cooler is nine minutes after posting it's the number one organic return in Google for "Newnan Railroads!" Wow, how cool is that!
Oh, how I enjoyed this post! What a beautiful train! And good for you for going to the trouble of getting the shots! WhooHoo! Awesome Google Juice, too :)
Debi
This post is Featured in the Active Rain PhotoBlogger Group!
This post has earned a Photoblogger Group Award of Merit!
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Richard, a well deserved award of merit if you ask me! And by the way, I googled Newnan Railroad and guess who was number 3 on the list? So, if he does google Newnan Railroad he will get some beautiful photos and a great story!
And thanks, I spoke to dad tonite and he said he got your letter, etc. He was very happy indeed! I appreciate it, and actually feel a bit better knowing that even though I am so far away, I know someone there, just in case.
Another stellar post!
Wow, Richard...I have to say that you took some AWESOME photos of the "Ghost Train" and when I scrolled down and read that your post won an Award of Merit, I think it was very well-deserved. Congratulations! :)
Leilani
Richard...besides the fact that your photo's are always tops, being able to get yourself positioned and able to do this several times for the shots is great.
It is fun when the si,ple things work out!
Hi Richard: wow - nice story and number three on google - not bad.
:)
I don't know what it is about railroads but they always seem a little nostalgic to me. Those were great shots, and that last one really showed the gorgeous scenery.
Cool! I was already impressed with your tenacity and your little adventure, and then you talked to the engineer. And that photo is incredible! I don't think I've ever seen a train in use that was this gorgeous!
Nice work... What we won't do for a good photo, huh? I'll bet the engineer will do a Google search and what a surprise he'll find.
Richard, Great Story! And yes, I like to chase trains too. Only real difference is that I have no idea in the world about how to get Google ranking, but I'll get it learned someday.
Nice post.
Richard,
Number 1 on Google is cool. Backing it up with 2nd place with your outside blog, even better.
This story was a great way to start my day...
Richard, these photos are great! I googled and found it right away.
A train buff myself, I absolutely love this story and pictures, Richard! Sure hope the engineer follows up.
Wow, what amazing shots. Now come on down and visit and see if you can catch the one I hear in the middle of the night at Lake Sinclair.
Richard,
not only do you crack me up, but you often amaze me. I love seeing your work.
Richard, your photos tell such great stories, in addition to being works of art! Great job, and the icing is the Google juice!
Richard, this was a great post, and the photos were excellent. In the first photo, the train actually looks a little scary...spooky that is...
Great story Richard. You must know a little about trains and photography.
I love trains and wish there were more around that are as beautiful as this one! I just read your post on the Google results and popped over to check out this one. Well done!
I love the story. My house is across the street from a railroad line. Every morning about 8 am the train goes by, and my house shakes all over. Had I had a real estate agent represented me at the time of the purchase, I am sure I would have given that a second thought. I do love my house, and enjoy watching the train go by some days when I have time.
great story and experiment! Looking at your follow up I see it was very successful!