Trackside with Trains

I entered another "Trackside with Trains" reader favorites poll from Trains magazine. The theme for this installment was Trains Along the Water. I took this picture in Alviso, a small formerly unincorporated area of San Jose. It was a cool, still, March morning. The water was undisturbed except for the faint steps of a few waterfowl. Their mirrored reflections can be seen in the lower left corner of the picture. Last time I submitted a picture to "Trackside with Trains" back in March it garnered enough votes for a respectable third place showing. I'm crossing my fingers for a slightly better showing this time. I'll update and link when I hear the results.

It's been quite some time since I've been out anywhere taking pictures of trains (or anything other than grand kids). I will have to remedy that situation very soon. I need some ferroequinology paparazzo therapy. Update - 6/1/2012 Well this is rather disappointing. I didn't even make the cut. There were three reader submissions, none of which were mine. There's always the next one!

Trains Magazine Contribution

Recently I submitted one of my pictures to Trains Magazine for their "Trackside with Trains" feature. It's a 'vote for your favorite' kind of feature. The theme was titled "Yellow". The idea is to submit a rail related photo that has something to do with the color yellow. I went through my portfolio and narrowed it down to a couple of pictures. After agonizing over the decision (well, not really) I chose a picture I took in Alviso. My entry tallied enough votes for a respectable third place.

Back in the mid to late 1800's Alviso was destined to be a port city. Shipping from San Francisco and beyond would arrive in Alviso for distribution throughout the south San Francisco bay area. At the time the area was a large agricultural region. However, the hopes of it becoming a booming port city were dashed when the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad bypassed Alviso. The growth in transporting commodities by rail was the death knell for Alviso. The building captured in the image is the former Laine's Grocery in the late 1800's. The building was in use up until major flooding caused severe damage in 1983.

Amtrak Capitol Corridor

Amtrak Capitol Corridor, originally uploaded by sharkzƒan.

I took this in Alviso on a calm morning. The lack of a breeze provided a great reflective surface on the water.

Nearly 150 Years of Stories

The abandoned Laine's Grocery Store in Alviso originally built in 1865 could tell a few tales, I'm sure. Today it sits crumbling and decayed next to the railroad tracks. It's facade nearing the point of no return.

I Think It's "The One"

You would only understand this term if you were an enthusiast. So this is "the one", at least until another, grander one comes along. You can also view it large on my Flickr page

Laine's Grocery Store, Alviso

Laine's Grocery Store
Originally uploaded by sharkzfan

I was really quite pleased with the way this one turned out. I was not sure how the sodium vapor streetlight and it's orange glow would affect the image. Turns out it created a nice surreal look. Click on the Flickr link and then above the picture click an the "All Sizes" button. It's best viewed large!.

Atmosphere Pictures

I really like this shot. It's sunrise at the Santa Clara train station and there is a lone pedestrian walking the platform. The haze of smoke from the southern California wildfires hangs over the valley and washes out the photo. I think it adds a monochromatic "flavor" of loneliness. These shots are few and far between but they are the ones you try the hardest to take!


This is an old brick warehouse in Alviso. On the south side of the building it has the name "H.G. Wade" painted and fading away. I've tried to research the history of the building but have not found much other than a reference to the name as the owner.

Amtrak through Alviso

This shot didn't quite turn out the way I would have liked. I was trying to get a fair amount of the bridge and the reeds from the slough in the picture. However, in doing so I cropped the top of the picture just close enough to where the top of the locomotive is nearly out of the picture. It almost looks like a mistake which I guess in my book it IS! I like the early morning lighting and the soft color it lends to the picture.


This shot is from El Dorado St. near the curve where it becomes Moffat St. The roadway is about 12 feet or so below the track level so it gives an interesting perspective.


This is the end of that same train sporting cab car number 6965. On the eastbound return trip this car will be the head end of the train.


Here's another early morning shot with a nice warm hue to it. Unfortunately my digital camera is not the most up to date so in lower light situations I get some blur in the pictures. I'm hoping to remedy that siruation this coming Christmas (hint, hint).

Long Time No Post

I have been chastised by Joe for my lack of posting hence this post.


Here is a picture I took near the NUMMI plant in Fremont. Waiting for the next batch of new Toyota's to be completed.


The entrance to the "Ghost Marina" in Alviso.


The former Laine's Grocery Store. Abandoned since the floods of the 1980's El Nino's


I don't think these boats would even float at high tide.