I started taking railroad photos around 1970 with better camera equipment. In the 1960's, all I had was a Kodak Brownie camera. Those photos were not of good quality. Growing up in New Brunswick, NJ my main photographic subject was the Pennsylvania Railroad. Once I obtained better camera equipment, the PRR became Penn Central and then Conrail came about.
My background is in the electronics and Telecom fields. I also spent time as a journeyman electrician.
I was introduced to the Penn Central Middle Division by Ed Kaspriske in September 1973. Ed & I have made several jaunts to the Harrisburg, Enola, Horseshoe Curve and Bennington Curve many times during the Penn Central and Conrail eras. Several of our railfan friends also made the trips with us. Many of the railfans were professional railroaders which opened up many access areas that other railfans could not get to. Ed and I also visited the former Lehigh Valley mainline during the Conrail era in Piscataway, NJ for photographic opportunities. Since we worked during the day, most of our visits were in the early evening which turned into night. It took me along time to get the night photography settings to the point that they could produce a decent photo. Early on I used a viewfinder 35mm, a Graphic 4 by 5 camera, a 120 film camera, a Yashica 35mm SLR, 2 Nikon FM-2 SLR cameras. The Nikon FM-2's proved to be the best camera for night photography.
I have written several photo essays based on my rail photography about Conrail, New Jersey Transit, Night photography, East Coast Rail Photography, Chessie System, among others. If anyone would like a copy of these photo essays, please send me an email to btrogusr@gmail.com
