Semaphore spotlight
After two days of sunshine, the weather on my 3rd day in southern Thailand went downhill as did my luck.
My plan was to spend the day around Khao Chum Thong Junction which is still fully manual semaphore signalled.
Due to the weather and extreme late running of some trains I basically had managed to get no decent photos all day. I had hoped atleast I could shoot the delayed 448 local with the semaphores from the north end of the station. Despite numerous sun pockets, once again thwarted by the clouds. Just after completing my walk of failure back to the station platform the exit signal clanked back up to "Hp1" or clear. A freight?!
Indeed soon a headlight rounded the corner, and at the same time a gap in the clouds opened as well. The train was moving quickly and I hoped it would be fast enough to outrun the cloud. With token snagged the driver of train 790 (Hat Yai - Ban Thung Pho Jct) notches out the 2400 HP Alstom diesel and puts the train in the wind.
No matter how mature of a rail fan you like to think you are, there are moments where you can’t help but throw your arms in the air after the locomotive passes in celebration. This was definitely one of them!
Semaphore spotlight
After two days of sunshine, the weather on my 3rd day in southern Thailand went downhill as did my luck.
My plan was to spend the day around Khao Chum Thong Junction which is still fully manual semaphore signalled.
Due to the weather and extreme late running of some trains I basically had managed to get no decent photos all day. I had hoped atleast I could shoot the delayed 448 local with the semaphores from the north end of the station. Despite numerous sun pockets, once again thwarted by the clouds. Just after completing my walk of failure back to the station platform the exit signal clanked back up to "Hp1" or clear. A freight?!
Indeed soon a headlight rounded the corner, and at the same time a gap in the clouds opened as well. The train was moving quickly and I hoped it would be fast enough to outrun the cloud. With token snagged the driver of train 790 (Hat Yai - Ban Thung Pho Jct) notches out the 2400 HP Alstom diesel and puts the train in the wind.
No matter how mature of a rail fan you like to think you are, there are moments where you can’t help but throw your arms in the air after the locomotive passes in celebration. This was definitely one of them!