Zoom program: Railroad promotional filmmaking with Nick Ozorak

Save the date to join us Tuesday, June 17, 2025, for Nick Ozorak’s presentation, “The Art of Railroad Promotional Filmmaking,” a free public Zoom program.

As with other forms of railroad advertising media, filmmaking is its own art. Nick Ozorak has been creating videos for nearly 20 years. His projects include creating the relaunch trailer for the East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania, developing a business showcase for the Iowa Interstate Railroad, and promoting various track rehabilitation programs. He has documented parts of railroading that often go overlooked, such as maintenance of way crews and machinery, and obscure short lines in remote locations. Nick will share samples of his work and discuss his approach to visual storytelling as a means of helping railroads establish their narrative and accomplish their goals.

Tuesday, June 17, at 7:00 P.M. (U.S. Central Time); 8 pm Eastern / 6 pm Mountain / 5 pm Pacific

Register Here

Pictured (from top):

Two eastbound Iowa Interstate trains await their turn on the main line at South Amana, IA on September 10, 2021. The railroad constructed a yard and locomotive facility at this location for servicing its fleet of GEVO locomotives. Note the Rock Island heritage unit on the left train.

A conductor walks to line the switches for a Panhandle Northern Railway freight train at Panhandle, TX on October 13, 2021. The PNR hauls commodities for gasoline, fertilizer, and carbon industries in Borger, Texas, and interchanges with BNSF in Panhandle.

A scene from the video “trailer” announcing the East Broad Top’s Foundation launch and the rebirth of the historic steam railroad. See the video here.

Zoom program: Tracking the Long Island Rail Road with Joe Stroppel

Long Island photographer Joe Stroppel will share spectacular scenes from his adventures growing up along the tracks of the Long Island Rail Road, the busiest commuter railroad in North America.

Joe’s photography will include captures of a variety of equipment — from fast, new M7 & M9 electric trains to 1970s-delivered MP15AC-hauled work trains plodding along the rails. You’ll also enjoy dramatic weather conditions, historic LIRR landmarks, and some of the most beautiful scenery the Island has to offer. Branch lines prominently featured will be the Main Line, Oyster Bay Branch (where Joe grew up), and the Montauk Branch, though there will be various other selections of interesting LIRR locations taken from Joe’s portfolio.

“The Route of the Dashing Commuter” is a fascinating operation in a hard-to-access location for many railroad photographers … the traffic over NYC’s bridges is absolutely devastating at rush hour, which is unfortunately when the LIRR puts on its most exciting show! Joe hopes to share some of the railroad’s most interesting characteristics for those who haven’t yet experienced it.

Tuesday, April 8, at 7:00 P.M. (U.S. Central Time); 5 pm PT / 6 pm MT / 8 pm ET

This program was recorded and will be posted soon on our YouTube page at @railphotoart

Pictured:

“Colorful Wilds”: During peak leaf peeping season on Long Island’s East End, a train bracketed by EMD DM30ACs rockets through the gorgeous Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley, NY. The two dual mode engines are flying eastward with 8710, an express service to Montauk.

“Twilight at Jay”: Fresh snow has just fallen on the morning of January 7, 2022. During the evening rush hour, in gorgeous twilight, a train of Bombardier M7s snakes past JAY tower and over the flyover in Jamaica, Queens. The flaming switch heaters below the train and the mountain-like purple clouds above greatly enhance the beauty of the scene.

Winter 2025: Western Maryland, Chicago’s Field Museum, John Signor, and more

The Winter 2025 issue of Railroad Heritage, our quarterly magazine, is filled with plenty of gifts just in time for the holidays. Inside you’ll find inspiring photography, art, and stories:

A stunning photo essay by Roger Cook and Karl Zimmermann about their 1970s Western Maryland experiences in Williamsport, Maryland;
The surprising connections between railroads and Chicago’s Field Museum, examined by Fred Ash, illustrated by historic photography and beautiful color Illinois Central posters;
Archivist Heather Sonntag interviews John Signor, artist, railroader, and author of western railroading books such as Tehachapi, Donner Pass, and more, and we include eight of his great oil paintings;
The winning images of the 2024 John E. Gruber Creative Photography Awards;
Learn about requesting images from the Center in the “Out of the Archives” column by director of archives & collections Adrienne Evans and reference & processing archivist Gil Taylor;
The 60th anniversary of Japan’s bullet trains, with photos by Victor Hand;
News of exhibitions and events – we’ve already planned several Zoom topics for 2025!

Member-exclusive program: CRP&A Collections Update

Join us Tuesday, December 17, for this members-only presentation! Executive director Scott Lothes will provide an update on the changes we’re making to the Center’s photography collections policy, which will shape future accessions. He’ll share results and takeaways from the recent members survey about our collections work, as well as next steps for 2025.

And of course, we’ll illustrate the program with favorite images from several collections, as well as a few newly processed images.

Registration is CLOSED. If you’re a Center member, email info(a)railphoto-art.org to receive a recorded copy of the presentation later this month.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

7:00 PM (U.S. Central Time), on Zoom; 5 pm PT / 6 pm MT / 8 pm ET

If you’re not a member, please join today to support our preservation work and receive our quarterly magazine Railroad Heritage, plus access to our members-only Zoom programs.

Western Maryland F7 64 leads an eastbound at Helmstetter’s Curve in Cumberland, Md., on March 23, 1975. Photo by John F. Bjorklund, Bjorklund-92-07-04.

Pennsylvania Railroad 4-6-2 5497 leads an eastbound out of Chicago at 21st Street Tower in October 1950. Photograph by Wallace W. Abbey, Abbey-01-130-05.

Zoom program: Catching up with emerging rail photographers

Join us Tuesday evening, November 12 for “Rails of Inspiration: Past Scholarship Winners and their Railroad Photographer Heroes.” In this Zoom program, you’ll meet three talented young photographers – Eric Hudson, Samuel Phillips, and John Riley – who offer fresh perspectives on railroad photography. All received scholarships several years ago to attend the Center’s annual “Conversations” conference and showcase their work.

This program was recorded and will be posted soon to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@railphotoart

We’re excited to catch up with them on Tuesday, November 12, at 7:00 pm Central Time (8 pm Eastern, 6 pm Mountain, and 5 pm Pacific). Eric, Sam, and John will present their railroad photography from recent years, talk about their heroes, share how the conference inspired them and their hopes for the future. Join our free program at the link below and expect a night of exciting contemporary photography!

Tuesday, November 12, at 7:00 pm Central Time (8 pm Eastern, 6 pm Mountain, and 5 pm Pacific)

Photos (top to bottom): Norfolk Southern’s Virginian heritage unit at Fostoria, OH, by Eric Hudson; CSX in Clinchco, Virginia, by Samuel Phillips; Reading & Northern 2102 at Peacock’s Lock Viaduct outside Reading, PA, by John Riley.