Before starting up with the train pictures, I thought I would throw a few abstract shots that I took with my new Nikon ED 70-300MM F4-5.6. This is of course the most famous building in New York City, as seen from the other side of the Hudson river.

Another view of Manhattan, this time focused on lower Manhattan, which was so changed just a year and two months before this shot was taken.

Brilliant fall light illuminates signal E292 at Emmaus, it is one of the last signals governing the Reading Line as Allentown is just a few miles to the east.

CSX GP38-2 2692 plods its way up the ex-Erie Northern branch at the head of a short local train.

A full facial of the 2692, seen in full glory on a very damp day.

One of my favorite shots, sadly I was not the one who purchased the car. The 2692 along with the 5944 continue up the Northern Branch.

An ex-Conrail C40-8W is in charge as train 19G blasts through Emmaus on its way west.

The 300 has been zoomed back to just 70mm and provides a good view of the NS 8454 passing signal E292 at Emmaus.

NS train 10N disturbs the peace and rustles up a storm as it eases its way toward Allentown.

A facial of NS C40-9 9183, the heat coming off the locomotive is welcomed on this bitterly cold day.

The 300 is again zoomed back to 70mm and it catches the 9183 leading 10N through Emmaus.

The nose of NS C40 9134 passes the main street in Macungie PA on a rainy and windy day.

NS autorack train 11J heads west through Macungie with C40-9 9410 in the lead.

The bottom line on the 300 is that its a truly great lens, any qualms that I had about purchasing it went to bed after these shots. I found that good shutter speeds were attainable during dark days with the use of Provia 400F in my N80. The last thing that I learned from the use of all 300mm that the lens provides, I really should start using a tripod.