PBW: Retired Reds

Photo Blog Wednesday

While taking the Long Island Railroad, I've often noticed an empty lot with a few derelict fire trucks, some older than others, alongside the platform in the town of Albertson. Over the years, the conclave of retired machinery has grown, to my viewing pleasure. The last time I took the train, I made a mental note of the cross streets and planned to return with my camera on the weekend. Saturday, between mowing lawns and going to church, I stole away for a bit. The first thing I discovered upon arriving was that there was absolutely no parking lot except for a private one, and countless “no trespassing” signs. I parked briefly in the lot to get a few shots in, then moved my car to a lot across the street. With the nearest traffic lights about 200 feet in either direction, crossing the busy road to get to the train platform was interesting, to say the least. I'm trying to be more adventurous in my photography, because if I stay to close to home, my readers will quickly tire of cats. I didn't get hit by a car or a train, and my car wasn't ticketed. Instead, I captured some classic vehicles, and with the weather being slightly overcast the lighting combined with the style of the trucks made some of my photos seem to be from a different era entirely. From the front, one of the trucks looked exactly like a red ”Sanford and Son”-esque pickup truck my dad briefly had when I was a boy. I loved that truck.

I saw as much beauty and art in these rusting hulks as I did in nature. I hope you'll agree.