farlymac
PF McFarland
Took the Konica C35EF3 loaded with Fuji 400 X-TRA out on a road trip to Blacksburg, VA. I got off Interstate-81 at Ironto, and traveled west on Rt 603, also known as North Fork Road (named after a branch of the Roanoke River). There were a couple of camera stores I wanted to visit, and since it was such a nice day, I started out a little early to be able to stop for photos along the way.
Unfortunately, the camera has developed a light leak. I suspect it is at the door hinge, judging from the placement of the streaks. The foam is very poor, and I got away with it on the first roll, but not all of the shots were ruined. I basically had three subjects on the roll, and was still testing the capabilities of the 35mm/f2.8 lens. It definitely does better with 400 speed film, and I got an adapter for it so I can use my 46mm filters I already have (it has a 43mm filter thread). I still messed up some shots by not changing the focus. I wish there was a reminder in the viewfinder as to what zone it is set at. But it did well when everything (that is, the dummy behind the camera) was working correctly.
PF
Italian In The Mountains by br1078phot, on Flickr
Climbing up the side of a bluff on RT 603, you come around a curve to find this. Mountain View looks out over the North Fork of the Roanoke River, to the Pedlar Hills across the way. From the front door though, you can see HightopMountain. It's a very popular place, even being out in the middle of nowhere.
Mountain Rest by br1078phot, on Flickr
Just a little cemetery right next to the restaurant.
Empty Reminder by br1078phot, on Flickr
The red brick silo. They used to be so ubiquitous.
Running To Greet The Moon by br1078phot, on Flickr
Class dis-missed! Time to blow off some steam after a long week of learning at Virginia Tech. Fortunately, the light leak didn't ruin this shot, though you can see a bit of it along the crossing gate.
Coming Round The Bend by br1078phot, on Flickr
I hung around for 15 minutes waiting for this train to start moving again. Then some guy in a pick-up came along just as I started to shoot, and I got distracted a bit. Missed one shot because I didn't wind the film, and missed another waiting to see if the driver was going to get in my way. He stopped to let me shoot, but it sure wasted some time.
North Fork Crossing by br1078phot, on Flickr
The mixed freight finally got up some speed, triggered the crossing flashers and gate, and went on its way. This crossing is named for the road, Rt 603, which is named after the North Fork of the Roanoke River.
North Fork Crossing 2 by br1078phot, on Flickr
Just a cropped version of the previous shot. I think it lessens the feeling of motion in the locomotive. I got another shot of it after it had passed the crossing, but the light leak killed that one.
Unfortunately, the camera has developed a light leak. I suspect it is at the door hinge, judging from the placement of the streaks. The foam is very poor, and I got away with it on the first roll, but not all of the shots were ruined. I basically had three subjects on the roll, and was still testing the capabilities of the 35mm/f2.8 lens. It definitely does better with 400 speed film, and I got an adapter for it so I can use my 46mm filters I already have (it has a 43mm filter thread). I still messed up some shots by not changing the focus. I wish there was a reminder in the viewfinder as to what zone it is set at. But it did well when everything (that is, the dummy behind the camera) was working correctly.
PF
Italian In The Mountains by br1078phot, on Flickr
Climbing up the side of a bluff on RT 603, you come around a curve to find this. Mountain View looks out over the North Fork of the Roanoke River, to the Pedlar Hills across the way. From the front door though, you can see HightopMountain. It's a very popular place, even being out in the middle of nowhere.
Mountain Rest by br1078phot, on Flickr
Just a little cemetery right next to the restaurant.
Empty Reminder by br1078phot, on Flickr
The red brick silo. They used to be so ubiquitous.
Running To Greet The Moon by br1078phot, on Flickr
Class dis-missed! Time to blow off some steam after a long week of learning at Virginia Tech. Fortunately, the light leak didn't ruin this shot, though you can see a bit of it along the crossing gate.
Coming Round The Bend by br1078phot, on Flickr
I hung around for 15 minutes waiting for this train to start moving again. Then some guy in a pick-up came along just as I started to shoot, and I got distracted a bit. Missed one shot because I didn't wind the film, and missed another waiting to see if the driver was going to get in my way. He stopped to let me shoot, but it sure wasted some time.
North Fork Crossing by br1078phot, on Flickr
The mixed freight finally got up some speed, triggered the crossing flashers and gate, and went on its way. This crossing is named for the road, Rt 603, which is named after the North Fork of the Roanoke River.
North Fork Crossing 2 by br1078phot, on Flickr
Just a cropped version of the previous shot. I think it lessens the feeling of motion in the locomotive. I got another shot of it after it had passed the crossing, but the light leak killed that one.
gb hill
Veteran
Good shot's. I love seeing these off beaten paths up in your area, especially where my truck doesn't normally go when I'm up there. I see lots of neat places to railfan & those tracks always seems busy. Hwy 11 outside of Radford still has the old N&W signals, I'd like to get up that way. I have a flickr contact, Mike who was near wher you were I think? http://www.flickr.com/photos/44509753@N03/6851481759/in/photostream
Montgomery tunnels near Christiansburg. Not sure where those tunnels are at. Looks like a sweet spot to ride to. That is if you like trains.
Montgomery tunnels near Christiansburg. Not sure where those tunnels are at. Looks like a sweet spot to ride to. That is if you like trains.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Greg, just about 150 yards from this crossing is the intersection with Den Hill Road. A left on that will take you to Montgomery and the tunnels. I shot them with a Rapid Omega a few years ago, and more recently with a Zorki 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/). Continuing along it, you come out onto US 11 just at the base of the big hill into Christiansburg.
North Fork is a nice diversion from the madness and hillside blasting on I-81, and you can come into the south end of Blacksburg, or take the Lusters Gate turn at Ellet, and come in at the center of town. I found that the best thing is to get one of those Atlas & Gazetteer map books, so that one can figure out where all the country roads are, and what mountain you are looking at.
PF
North Fork is a nice diversion from the madness and hillside blasting on I-81, and you can come into the south end of Blacksburg, or take the Lusters Gate turn at Ellet, and come in at the center of town. I found that the best thing is to get one of those Atlas & Gazetteer map books, so that one can figure out where all the country roads are, and what mountain you are looking at.
PF
gb hill
Veteran
I just made a post on the photo over on Flickr. Nice! I run 11 down that hill many a time bypassing that blasted shutdown. I've run many back roads but not all of them. I've been through much of Blacksburg around McCoy, Prices Fork Rd. around the Army Ammo place. Up into Narrows, down through 100 into Palaski. I get around when I'm up there. Love that part of the country. Floyd Va. I've seen snow falling when it wasn't snowing anywhere else. Hwy 8 a fun road too. Sometimes I'll take Hwy 8 from Christiansburg, down thru Woolwine where those nice covered bridges are. Then into NC. nice country.
Corto
Well-known
Nice Pictures man, I never used that camera so I might have to look for one.
P&S can be very liberating and relaxing.
P&S can be very liberating and relaxing.