Changes - a photo on Flickriver

Changes

            Change is a constant.  Every day, every living thing on this planet changes ever so slightly.  We learn new things, we grow, we forget, we age.  These changes happen in such small increments that their happening is almost unnoticeable on a daily basis.  

When the seasons change, us humans mostly take note at the onset, or as the previous season passes.  Our dismay at the first frost of the year is offset by our joy of the first warm and clear day of spring.  The time in between is quickly accepted and then disregarded.

With regard to railroading in Minnesota's Iron Range, your perspective on change is likely relevant to how closely you follow or are immersed in the rail operations there.  The influx of aged second and early third generation locomotives in the years following CN's takeover of the DM&IR was likely met with dismay, as it meant the end for most of the incumbent older maroon and yellow power.  Now, almost a decade and a half after their arrival, the inevitable change from the older GE and EMD locomotives to the rebuilt AC44C6M models has caught the attention of nostalgic railfans, and the rail trades working this line both.  For myself, the opportunity to see the mainline locomotives I remember best from my youth, working heavy unit trains one last time was enough to merit a trip to the region.  Only now that the time of change was readily apparent did I find the urgency to spend the time and money to do this.  For the train crews I surmise that this change is welcomed more openly, as the rebuilt power likely means a more comfortable cab, and hopefully more reliable operation.  In either case, we take note at this time of change before once again taking the status quo for granted.

My photographic pursuit of U791 south was very productive.  Between Iron Junction and Fairbanks, I was able to photograph the train at seven different locations, thanks mostly to a timely crew change at 'old Gilbert'.  In this instance I wished that the change from summer to fall colours on the trees was a bit quicker, and the change from the older locomotives a bit slower.

MP 54.1 CN Iron Range Subdivision

Taken in: United States / Minnesota / White Township / Aurora (show map)

Taken on: September 28, 2024

Tags:

Aurora

Iron Range Subdivision

C40-8

CN 2010

Dash 8-40C

Taconite Train

Fall Color

U791-81

General Electric « less

Sets appears in: • Minnesota • CN in Minnesota's Iron Range

Groups appears in: • Canadian National Railway • Your Best Railway Photographs (no 30/60 group restriction) more » • Railway Photographers • Steel Rails Across North America. • U.S. Railfan Pictures • Trainspottingmaps.com • Railfan Atlas • Rail Pictures North America • Railroads of the Twin Ports « less

Camera: Nikon D850, f/8.0, 1/640 sec, 500mm, ISO 125 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D850
Lens:	50.0-500.0 mm f/4.5-6.3
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/640)
Focal Length:	500mm
ISO:	125
Exposure Bias:	-2/3 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CC 2015 (Windows)
Show full info

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