A blanket of stratocumulus envelops the nearby Elkhorn range as the crew of the Sumpter Valley Railroad's Fall Photo Train throws the last of the switches that will take Heisler #3 and consist back to the shop building. Shortly, Engineer Eric Wunz, Fireman Sam McCloskey and Conductor Lon Wall will set their brakes and dismount. After some minor servicing, the fire in #3 will be allowed to die out. Then the crew will wash up, change into their street clothes and head for their homes. After a very busy weekend of steam operations and serious photography, this little railroad yard in the wilderness of Northeastern Oregon will fall silent once again.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.
