Taking Turns On The Slide: A Tale Of Gravity In Three Acts

[shifta65]

The SOUND quality of this video is also exceptional. Did you record this WITHOUT any external add-on SOUND equipment or did you add on a shotgun microphone? I am truly impressed!

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@shifta65 No, that's all on an external mic; a Rode SVM.

[shifta65]

Because of your impressive videos, I'm shopping for a new Canon HV20 camcorder that will deliver high resolution videos like I see here. Is there any down-side to this camera other than the lack of "enough" manual controls? I can find Canon HV20 camcorders very reasonably priced on ebay. I just want a point-and shoot camcorder that delivers HIGH-RESOLUTION pictures with impressive sound.

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@shifta65 One possible downside is that it uses mini-DV tape, which may become rarer over time as more cameras move to recording to solid-state memory of some type. I find the camera has plenty of manual control - for example, if I shoot in shutter-priority mode and then lock the exposure, the side effect is that the aperture is fixed as well. About the only thing that can't be manually controlled is gain. You might find the HV30 or HV40 (refinements of the HV20) for the same price though.

[shifta65]

I am truly impressed by the quality of your videos. What kind of video camera (make and model) did you use to shoot this video? And how much did your camera cost? I want to get a camera just like yours!

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@shifta65 Thanks! You could probably find a camera better than mine at this point though. Mine is a Canon HV20, which I purchased new back in spring 2007. Of the latest stuff out there, I've been lusting after the Canon HF-G10 - I like the number of manual controls it has while still keeping the price below $2000.

[Railhead1956]

Awesome video

[Squawk7600]

Oh wow, now I see why they call it "the Slide". How scary can that be, heading down THAT with a few thousand tons behind you, geez??!! I especially like the shot with the tank cars headed down-- you really see the perspective there!! Great shots of the little boarded-up tower, too. Do you know what that little trackside box/device is, in quite a few shots (with the solar panel)...??

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@Squawk7600 That's a flange greaser. There was one there in '08, but I don't recall it being solar-powered then. I think this one was new. There is also one visible at Carney's Crossing, and another next to the observation deck in Cresson.

[trainkid16]

Holy crap. If I didn't have the dynamics on going down that hill, I'd throw it in emergency! You did just about as perfect a job as was possible on the shots heading down the grade. This place has been added to my "Railfanning Bucket List!"

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@trainkid16 Thanks! I'm not sure if the system is still in place, but at least prior to Conrail they used a timing circuit to ensure trains were under control as they began the descent. If anything went through at more than 12 mph, a flashing signal and a Klaxon mounted on a nearby hill were activated - and if the train couldn't stop, that was the conductor's cue to cut off the caboose and radio ahead to Altoona to clear a path!

[1991conrail]

I really like the close up shot of the engine at 0:24 A great job, and it looks like im standing there. ( Hd adds alot ) 

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@1991conrail Thanks! I was pleased that I could get that angle this time; when I was there in October '08 the weeds blocked the view and I would have had to step beyond NS' yellow gate to look down the track in that direction. Now if they could just do some trimming at Horseshoe...

[aj21101]

9520 led up here on the Boston and Albany line on CSX intermodal train Q122!!!! that made my day seeing that unit lead :D

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@aj21101 What day was that? Do you have the clip posted? It's always interesting to see how locomotives get around.

[aj21101]

@FastFlyingVirginian yes i do have it.. in fact its in one of the videos i put together 2 days ago hang on

[aj21101]

@FastFlyingVirginian April 23rd... NS 9520 led 2 CSX units all elephant style on CSX train Q122... no tripod in this video because i had to run to catch it and didnt have time to set up... will post as response

[lionbill]

Terrific video to end your trip on. . .

I felt like I was there with you! Thanks for a wonderful series

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@lionbill Thanks, but I'm not done yet... :)

[GenesisSanctuary]

Great shots! I can't believe how close behind the first freight the lite SD40E set was! That's quite an awesome lashup on the final manifest.

[Higgieman68]

got some videos my self the  trains are 14g, & 36a