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train
bridges
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125
Nikon D50
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Nikkor 18-135mm
Sydney Gardens


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Sydney Gardens Railway Bridges (New Edit)

Sydney Gardens Railway Bridges (New Edit)
8.15 am on 16 August 2010.
Challenging, but not impossible, to get much improvement of a photograph which was never anything other than a JPEG. I have given it more exposure and reduced the contrast, as well as tackling lens distortion for which the Nikon 18-135mm was notorious.
The last few occasions I was here the low parapet had been augmented by a higher chestnut paling fence while official discussions took place about a more permanent safety barrier. I don't know why this step is perceived as necessary; maybe there have been incursions, accidents, or worse. Maybe the train drivers are unnerved by photographers. I wouldn't blame them if they were, though none of them ever gesticulated or sounded their horn at me. However, I always stayed on the safe side of the wall. Others may have trespassed. It's easy enough to vault over.
This section of the line was planned for electrification but the project was stopped part way through because of cost overruns. The new trains had therefore to be capable of generating their own electricity from Chippenham to Bristol. That rather defeats the objective of improved efficiency provided by using entirely overhead power. UK infrastructure projects seldom run smoothly and to budget.
So now the 125 sets have been allocated elsewhere, I believe they can be seen between South Wales and Cornwall. Their replacements were built abroad. The British were pioneers of railways but less than 200 years later they cannot build their own trains. It is intolerable and a national disgrace.

Steve Bucknell, John FitzGerald, SV1XV, Nautilus have particularly liked this photo


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