Former Southern Pacific SD40T-2 locomotive on RailAmerica’s Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad framed by an abandoned mi-jack crane at Wolcott, Indiana, on May 5, 2011. The two (re)tired veterans are sharing a last sunrise together.
Judge’s Comment:
I chose this for two reasons. First, Southern Pacific was Dick’s railroad and had stickers on his camera cases and van bumper sticker that said “I Love SP.” Even though SP is gone and some other railroad desecrated the loco by covering over the SP number under the cab window with an ugly patch. Second, it’s the composition and imagination to see this view that stands out. The photographer bent over, spotted interesting framing, and did this shot. Dick too crawled, crouched or climbed a pole looking for the perfect angle—he seldom did a standup view when he was being creative.
About the Photographer:
Todd is a practicing architect who combines a life-long fascination with trains and the design of buildings within the built and natural environment. He began to photograph railroads in 2011, probing the relationships of structure, materials, composition and form, and their intimate relationship to sunlight, daylight and darkness. Todd’s work takes him around the world, and he is currently photographing throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and points between.
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