Union Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 844 - Hercules - CA - Monday - April - 20 - 2009

[Elin48]

Hey, this is cool. I work in Hercules, and I'm always going down to this location after work and watching for the trains. I'm a teacher and while I wait I grade papers. I'm a train groupie, whether it's a steam train or not.

[kathyvierra]

Beautiful

[SkipW]

Oh, what a sight ! that sure was good to see.

[gregg227]

LOVE IT!

[steveareeno324]

That was just fantastic!!! my room almost shook!!! Thanks for the great shot.

[Hypsan]

I SEE where he gets his name!! I'm guessing you were situated about 12-16 feet from the train, and yet when the engine went by, it clearly vibrated your tripod-mounted video camera. Your engines of today can't do that -- certainly not to THAT degree! That is one heavy, powerful Momma! Nice A B roll zoom video with birdy soundtrack. Repeatedly watchable!!

[MichaelGSedlak]

I was 40' from the track on top of a six high embankment. It does seem closer, but I kept a tight crop. I recently purchased a fluid head tripod to help with the pan. But you are right, the vibration from the bed will get thru to anything that is not completely isolated. The Seagulls are in the original soundtrack. Really. Thanks again for your comments.

[CODING247ON360]

this was on my bday!! yay, this is my fav union pacific steamer, 844 ftw

[trainmaster4449]

ALL HAIL THE 844!

[MichaelGSedlak]

Thanks for watching. Thank you for your comment!

[sideslide23]

she'se the beauty

[superhero9884]

@sideslide23 I love steam engine locomotives. These are real trains. I also love Amtrak's F40 diesel engine. I saw a live steam train at Union Station in in May of 2010. The day after national train day. I have loved trains since I was a kid.

[superhero9884]

@sideslide23 I love steam engine locomotives. These are real trains. I also love Amtrak's F40 diesel locomotive. But now Amtrak does not use F40's anymore. But these are my two favorite locomotives. The steam engine and Amtrak's F40's.

[Amtrakdavis22]

Awesome shot!

[qoolbru]

Fantastic shot. I've looked at several of the inbound Bay Area shots. Hands down the best!!

[MichaelGSedlak]

Thanks for your comment.

We rented a Cessna 172 on Wed April 22 for two hours to shoot 844 as it passed thru Fremont, Sunol, Pleasanton, Livermore and the Altamont Pass. 844 was to have left Oakland @ 9:00 and arrive at Stockton @ 11:00. It was one hour late coming out of Oakland; stopped @ Hearst for 40 minutes so that members of the WRR Train Club in Sunol could touch it; and arrived in Stockton 3 hours late. We ran out of air time and returned to the airport without any usable footage.

[Hypsan]

The best laid plans.......that REALLY stinks! Talk about bad luck and money down the drain. Guess you needed to shoot in Italy during the reign of Mussolini who could brag about the trains being on time, but litle else!

[ROADTRAIN23]

U seen any of mine man?U gotta check them out!

[MichaelGSedlak]

Thank you for your comment. Wish I HAD a full time paying job!

I am flying over 844 on Wed so I hope to have more to add. We'll be shooting from Fremont to Tracy @ about 1000' with gyros.

[jreichel1]

Great footage! I caught the train in Martinez (check out my video)

[MichaelGSedlak]

Thank you for your comment. Saw your video. I wish I had an extra camera set at the angle you had.

[Drewster327]

Classic vid man, So dissapointed I missed that run, my vacation didnt work right