New Hope & Ivyland Railroad

The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad is another piece of living history. It is a tourist train that carries passengers from New Hope, Pennsylvania to Lhaska, several miles away. I’m not positive, but I think the line was originally part of the old Reading Railroad.

This isn’t my greatest photo of No. 4, which was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works many years ago. I actually have some very nice black and white photos of this engine and her tender in both black and white and color. I took them back when I used Hasselbalds and large format cameras. The prints hang on the walls of my house. Take a look at the engineer; he certainly looks the part. I have to get a hat like that.

The last few weeks the train has been running steadily, giving people great views of the fall foliage and pumpkin patches set up for children. New Hope itself is a fun town with plenty of good restaurants, odd shops, and dinner theaters. It gets crowded on the weekends.

Published in: on October 30, 2008 at 12:56 am  Leave a Comment  
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Brilliant Photography

Regular readers of this blog will know that I’ve mentioned a few great photographers. I also post those old-time panoramic shots. Well, I came across this fellow Arnaud Frich. His website is www.arnaudfrichphoto.com. His photography is brilliant, both literally and figuratively.

In the first place, he photographs cathedrals, palaces, and open spaces with stunning clarity. His perspectives are interesting and insightful. He used panoramic cameras as well as others and the work shown on his website is consistently impressive. I particularly enjoyed his church interiors. He captures the weight and light of these structures as well as the sense of place that they impose upon the visitor. This is a photographic challenge few practioners of the craft are capable of achieving.

So pay his sight a visit. I’m sure you will be impressed.

Published in: on October 5, 2008 at 3:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A Sense of Perspective

Times like these require a sense of perspective. On a lighter note, let’s talk about some artful perspective as seen at Rockefeller Center, New York City. For years, I’ve been looking up at this painting, which is on the ceiling of the main lobby.

The painter brilliantly used shadows on both sides so that no matter where you stand, it appears that you are looking up into the funnel. The figure holding the massive scales seems to shift his weight from one leg to the other as you walk across the lobby. Those taking a tour of NBC or Rockefeller Center are given an explanation of this. I always take guests to see it and the other paintings that are found of the walls in this area.

So, when things are going crazy, don’t forget that they’ve been crazy before and keep looking up. You never know what you’ll see.

Published in: on October 3, 2008 at 2:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, USA

A typical American Colonial street can be seen by taking a stroll down Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia.

The houses here are typical of the early 1700’s. Each one has it’s own history and many are listed as historic sites. Elfreth’s Alley is located just off Second Street, between Race and Market Streets. Go slow or you’ll miss the sign marking the alley. Walking tours are given and the guides provide details about the people who lived and worked in these homes. I came here to conjure up some of the early American atmosphere that will be featured in my novel MacMillan Judge, Privateer. MacMillan’s father is a Quaker who left Philadelphia for a farm farther west. However, MacMillan himself works on the Philadelphia waterfront, which in colonial times was only a short jaunt from Elfreth’s Alley. Of course, while perusing the homes here, I spotted this comfortable feline taking his afternoon nap in the sunshine.

Yes, he has the right idea: lunch followed by nap.

Published in: on September 25, 2008 at 9:38 am  Leave a Comment  
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