Engine 410
I have never been a lover of trains. Although, I have to admit, one summer night I was drawn to this big guy on permanent display at Canal Park, in Lowell, MA.
If you have not visited the area, it’s a historic place. Home of the Industrial Revolution, or so they say. Having grown up so near it, I have not lent it much of my attention, favoring more “romantic” history such as the events of the Civil War and the like. I guess things that happen further away from home have a certain allure to them.
Anyway, here sits Engine 410 of the former Boston and Maine railroad. On this summer eve, it was particularly grand. Certainly not by design, but by accident.
I set my camera up on the tripod for a long exposure shot. I wanted street lights to bounce off the freshly painted engine. What I did not expect was police and fire vehicles to roar by, lights blazing, to cast the blue and red tints. In fact, I was frustrated by the interlopers of light on what I had set up. I quickly dismissed the exposure and set up for another, and another until I thought I had what I wanted.
Back at my computer, I reviewed the work and was immediately drawn to the two tones of color cast on the steam behemoth. Hot steel, cold steel? All in one shot? Wow! Details popped off the engine I had not seen before. The body took on a holographic effect – certainly not one intended. I decided to print on metalic paper and mount in a silver metalic finsh wood frame and deep ruby textured mat – sans glass. The effect is stunning. The original print from my December show is still available. Make me an offer! I’d love to give this a good home!