CABOOSE EXTRAVAGANZA: The Elusive Caboose reveals itself. When I launched this train project almost 11 months ago, I was shocked to discover modern trains no longer tow cabooses as a matter of course. Only the work train pulls a caboose. The work train goes where it is called and even railroad people in the know have never been able to tell me precisely when it might be in Wasilla. All this time, I have badly wanted to photograph the caboose but it has eluded me. Well, one time as I was in downtown doing something else, it did make a surprise appearance, but in my rush to park the car, launch and shoot, I accidentally knocked the gimbal out of whack. The resultant photos where unusable. Last night, I had picked out a particular place to send Sancho up to shoot the northbound freight, but it was a tricky spot close to the road with many branches and wires to maneuver around. I decided it would be best to save it for another day when I could find the time to go in early and practice setting it up. I headed to another spot, where I have shot before but saw a whole new way to do it. When I got there, I decided instead to go for an entirely different place five miles up the road, but when I got there something just didn’t feel right. I thought of another place where I could get a humorous image. I drove there and set up but again it didn’t feel right. I decided to drive about ten miles north to do a shot I have missed by seconds the three times I have tried, but before I could get there I was surprised to see the work train, caboose and all, pulled over at the Pittman Road sideout. I went there instead to see if I could shoot the caboose as the freight passed by. The train came almost immediately after I parked, but I did get in a few shots, one of which is posted above. I returned at 5:30 this morning. A rather crazy process followed over the next five hours but I have no more time to write about it. You’ll notice the FSB showed to join in the fun. |
