Tuesday: running rocks

[OT from cottage renovations]

chafing though I am for not yet being able to resume the bike commute, the othermodal consolation prize ain't too shabby: riding the train to and from the office is nearly as good a way to begin and end the day.  the Millville-to-Bladensburg Rock Runner often comes through around the same time. 

(click through this thumbnail for higher resolution image)

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Railroad Street

 K951  Q751 rock runner

though it's been quite a while since the first and second trick rock runners had their symbols changed from K951 and K953 to Q751 and Q753 I still haven't made the mental adjustment. 

Tuesday: nocturnal

[OT from cottage renovations]

anybody can take pictures when there's light, but when it runs out sometimes things just get more interesting. 

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)

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Rockville station

it's almost time for the westbound passenger train when an eastbound freight rolls through the station. 

eastbound


shadow patterns

spray paint vandalism seems to afflict more freight cars than not these days.  at first glance that might seem to be what's going on with these trilevel auto racks but (you might need to click through to the larger image to make it out clearly) the dark markings are actually the shadows of evergreens and lamp posts, cast by lights in the station's parking lot. 

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Woodward Park

the Moon had come up above the clouds and behind this sycamore tree. 

moonlit sycamore

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this view is from further along Grove Road with camera braced against one of the tennis court's fence posts. 

I couldn't decide which one was the keeper so sorry, you have to look at both of these. 

clouded Moon

morning MARC

[OT from cottage renovations]

the commuter train pulls in, lets off and takes on its passengers and then heads down the line into the morning sun where it will do the same at the rest of its stops.  there's enough time before the scheduled departure of the circulator bus to take a moment to linger on the platform for a moment to watch as the train pulls out. 

(click through this thumbnail for higher resolution image)

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Rockville station

CPL killers

[OT from cottage renovations]

some months ago the railroad "improved" the Rockville intermediate signals by replacing the B&O Colour Position Lights (CPL) with these modern units, seen in clear morning light. 

(click through this thumbnail for higher resolution image)

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Rockville station

with a bright morning sky for a background, chain link and barbed wire in the foreground for texture and sycamore branches to frame them it should be hard to hold the grudge, but don't go asking me unless you're ready for the answer. 

casting shadows into the shade

[OT from cottage renovations]

the wall behind the West side bus bay is itself in shadow but sunlight reflected from office windows high across the street has enough intensity to project these tree shadows across its surface.  the rust streaks spill subdued chromatic relief down the drab concrete slab. 

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)

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Rockville station

morning sun railing fun

[OT from cottage renovations]
[images crossposted to texture]

taken in the office complex. 

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)

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night train home

[OT from cottage renovations]

the Grove is a flag stop for the later trains so there's always a personal touch to the privilege of being let off at the end of the street:  one has to ask for it. 

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)

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Railroad Street

once again indecision sets in as to which image is the keeper: the one in which our Historic Bridge is illuminated by the locomotive's headlight, or outlined a few seconds later against the old granary.