U.S. Rail by junge1
Open full image in new tab Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
The beginning of a westbound freight train in Winona, Arizona (elevation ~6200-ft). The train is travelling at a speed of about 30mph. It has climbed from an elevation of about 4,800-ft in Winslow, 44 miles east of here and will climb another 600-ft. between here and Flagstaff, 16 miles to the west and will reach the watershed divide within the Colorado River drainage basin 5 miles west of Flagstaff. At this point the elevation is 7,300-ft.
The train will skirt the San Francisco Peaks, a series of dormant volcanoes, to the south. The highest point in the San Francisco peaks is Humphreus Peak (12633-ft) visible on the right.
Coast to coast passenger service is practically non-existing in the United States, but freight trains are still the biggest haulers of any kind of cargo. They travel frequently day and night, every day of the year. This picture was taken on 12 January 2008.
Thanks for viewing and commenting.

Comments (16)
Awesome scene!
Beautiful scene, Sig. I remember these tracks being more or less parallel to Interstate 40 between Albuquerque and Flagstaff. Five locomotives must be just about the upper limit. I know when freight trains leave Eugene, OR headed southeast across the Cascades toward Klamath Falls they will have seven or eight locomotives, but they have to be split, with half of them in the middle of the train, because the coulpers just aren't strong enough to handle the stress. At the top of the mountains the four from the middle drop off and head back down the hill for the next run.
A magnificent shot Sig. Another amazing viewpoint. I love this freight train rolling into the picture showing just enough to give a perfect composition. Thanks for an interesting read, and also to cosine for the added info about the amount of locomotives needed for such a haul etc.
wow ... very beautiful picture, nice vista and colors
A very colorful photo with excellent composition, it's just right! An interesting lashup on the front end, mixed AC/DC units from the last merger roads. Have any more like this to share? Thanks.
Nice picture
An atmospheric capture.
Great photo.....love how you included the info on it........ awesome drive out through that part of the country ..
Another great pic , Excellent in every way my friend ! Ana
Beautiful picture.
Lots of power here. excellent POV, DOF and composition. You really captured the essence of the mighty locomotive in action. 5 stars. Love those trains, aye.
Wide open spaces for sure...trains are always great subjects to shoot..so much history and mystique surround them...
Amazing view! Great catch!!
great image Sig I very much like this composition as the train wends its way intot he scene
Excellent view!!!
Greetings Siegfried, I enjoy seeing the state in which you live, allowing me to understand a little more of who you are. Have a great day and thank you for sharing. egmont