WDW Railroad -- where to get the best shots?

[Experiment_626]

I'm curious about trying to get good shots of the WDW Railroad -- specifically, I want the locomotive. Where have you guys had your best luck? The closer I can get, the better I'll like it. Both obvious and unusual angles interest me for this. I have a Nikon D300 with the Nikkor 18-135, a Sigma 10-20, and a Nikkor 50 f1.8, just for reference. The more dramatic the photo, the better I'll like it.

Thanks!

SSB

 

[Michele]

I think the back walkway between Toontown and Tomorrowland is a good place. Here is a shot from there.

Here's another

 

[ukcatfan]

That was the first place that popped into my head as well. If you are lucky, you might be able to get some shots of them servicing the engine at that stop.

 

[zackiedawg]

Yep...I'd agree on that spot too:

Also, if you stand in the exit area of the main street station, you can lean over the rail as the train is coming in and get a decent engine shot:

 

[Quicklabs]

The sepia tone makes for an outstanding photo, Zackiedawg. Super good composition on the first one especially. Great job!

 

[YesDear]

The best place will cost you some.

They have a train tour. You get to the park before it opens and get to go the roundhouse and they stop the train for you get off and take pictures.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Another interesting perspective is from the WEDWay People Mover (I think it's the Tomorrow Land Transportation Authority or something). The trick is getting the timing right. The best way is to post someone a Toon Town with a Walky-Talky and work out the optimal timing. The easiest way is to trust to dumb luck.

 

[dmccarty]

That was the first place that popped into my head as well. If you are lucky, you might be able to get some shots of them servicing the engine at that stop.

Like this? Fill Her Up!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iGVE4-ZLudk/Sf4X5JcQQgI/AAAAAAAAAMg/O-ysDrYH2Io/s1024/ToonRRRoy2_5_000.jpg

All Done!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iGVE4-ZLudk/Sf4X5Y4ve4I/AAAAAAAAAMo/B516NivibRs/s1024/ToonRRRoy3_5_000.jpg

Later,
Dan

 

[Experiment_626]

I had thought of the pathway between Toontown and Tomorrowland; it's good for getting a more comprehensive look at the train. I was hoping for something a little closer. The idea of the exit area at the Main Street station seems promising. Any other ideas?

SSB

 

[zackiedawg]

I had one of those lucky timing moments on the Peoplemover when the Broggie was passing under:

As for getting close...the Toontown path will actually get you quite close...and if you catch the train as it first pulls in and needs to water, you can get some closeups of the engine at rest. Plus, when it first pulls out, it's going really slow and you are 10 feet from it or so:

So you could get detail shots there. And I would say the Main Street station exit area would be very good for engine closeups...they park there for a while for loading, and the engine pulls up adjacent to that exit area to get the passenger cars lined up with the main platform.

 

[boBQuincy]

Another good spot is past the Toontown station, where you can sometimes see a train being brought online from backstage:

 

[jaydenhoward87]

awesome pictures everyone!! love them