A lot has been going on which made the DVD business sit on the back burner for just a little while. The big thing was going to work for the railroad in a capacity that took up a lot of time and energy and left little time for filming, editing, narrating...all the fun stuff. While my production company has been up and running all this time, I had to let it go on its own for a while. That meant no advertising, no new releases, etc.
The other big thing is that we have relocated. We moved the business (and ourselves) from upstate NY to northern NJ. This means that we have left the hills of New York and the trains of the D&H behind. I admit I'm going to miss the hills and the grades, the viaducts and the chases. On the other hand, we have wonderful new opportunities in New Jersey for brand new railfanning. It's quite a mecca down here with CSX's Riverline, NJT, Conrail Shared Assets Operation, and NS's Lehigh Line. Any railfan can tell you that there's a lot to see around here. So I'm looking forward to exploring while feeling sad about leaving the D&H and all the great rail operations in and around Binghamton.
Here's a little taste of what I'll miss. This is an audio recording of a team of SD-40s nearing the crest of Belden Hill Tunnel. They're pulling hard against the grade with train #253 and 423 axles. You'll hear the crossing gate activation followed by the slow sound of the engines appearing around the bend and finally past our spot. Turn up your subwoofers or put on your headphones for the best listen! (Sound clip will open in a new window)
http://www.282movies.com/EMDs@Belden.mp3
Well, here's where things stand now. A new release is soon to come out. It's one that has been "coming out" for a while now, but because of the 24/7 nature of railroading, I just couldn't get around to doing it. It's a look at CSX's Rochester Sub from Syracuse to Buffalo. It's been a while in the making and there is some snow action as well as Summer stuff. CSX uses all sorts of power up there and you never now what you'll get at the head end.
Here's my first shot of CSX in New Jersey as seen on You Tube. I wasn't expecting to shoot this day, just explore. I was able to get the camera up in the nick of time and get this shot. I met a very nice fellow railfan who clued me in to some of the operations I could expect to see in the area including CSX and the NYS&W. Thanks Eddie! (Video will open in a new window)
CSX at Ridgefield Park, NJ
Enjoy and come back often to see what's going on. Bookmark this blog and check in from time to time. I'll be adding new things as often as possible.
It's great to be back and I thank all of you for your continued support!
Michael Hammond
http://www.282movies.com
