About Me
Early Life:
My fascination with trains started at a very young age, practically when I was just a toddler. I used to religiously watch Thomas the Train, and I made sure I had ALL the toys to fuel my growing obsession. My family sometimes took me to watch real trains after preschool, particularly along Norfolk Southern in Clairton. On especially lucky days, I even got to visit Altoona to witness the famous Horse Shoe Curve in all its glory. Every now and then, I was fortunate enough to hear and on rarer occasions see the Wheeling & Lake Erie coke trains thunder through the woods behind my house.
From a very young age, I began observing and mentally documenting the trains I encountered, committing details to memory as if they were treasures. Back then, I didn’t often have the chance to capture photos of them, but that didn’t lessen my enthusiasm. I was completely mesmerized by their enormous designs, the incredible noise they made, and the vast variety of types and models that these trains could come in.
To the right: the earliest W&LE photos I took. Split second catch as an empty coke train abruptly came by. Taken (11/09/2016) on a walk at Lick Run / Pierce Junction after middle school.
The dates for the other 2 W&LE photos were taken have been lost.
One memorable time along the W&LE, my father and I walked down to Pierce Junction near the creek. To our surprise, we spotted engines 2662, 2697, and another black Geep with "W&LE" stenciled on the side. I believe it was 108, though I could be mistaken. My dad snapped a photo of the scene, but I clearly remember that just a few days later, his phone was lost while kayaking.
Another unforgettable moment at Pierce Junction was witnessing the aftermath of a coke train derailment. My father and I saw the wreckage up close, and I took photos to document it. Those pictures are likely still tucked away on an old iPhone buried somewhere among our belongings.
Middle School Thru High School:
During my struggle through grades 6-12, I would often find solace by heading down to the tracks below Patriot Point. I'd run from the bus stop, which was about 3/4 of a mile away, just to wait for Wheeling and Lake Erie and Allegheny Valley Railroad trains. W&LE operated three train jobs at the time that would stop at the switch at Pierce Junction: the Clairton run (612/613), Connersville (618/617), and Monesson Coke (389). Watching these trains provided a unique sense of escape and excitement during those challenging years of my life.
Allegheny Valley Railroad had, and still continues to have, one primary train job that passed through that beautiful valley, a job known as AVR-3. Catching AVR-3 in action was no easy feat for me, as I had to traverse a steep and rugged hill along with a creek just to see it up close. There were two different trails leading across to the opposite side of the valley, but neither route was particularly easy or forgiving. Back then, AVR-3 carried carloads that would change wildly from train to train, offering an unpredictable sense of intrigue — a trait it retains even to this day.
While I anxiously awaited the possibility of a train’s arrival, I would immerse myself in everything the valley had to offer. I would explore its mysterious tunnels, stumble upon long-abandoned mine sites, marvel at waterfalls, and wander along quad paths, foot trails, and deer tracks. The valley was full of hidden treasures, from fossils embedded in the rocks to unique minerals scattered throughout the terrain. Each visit felt like embarking on an adventure filled with discovery and wonder.
W&LE 612 : Top 2 Photos
W&LE 617 : Middle Right
W&LE 618 : Middle Left
W&LE 389 : Bottom Left
AVR - 3 : Bottom Right
RightImage Below: Wreckage left behind from a derailment in the late 80s' along the Pike just past Cochran Mill road up stream from the tunnel.
Late Highschool:
During my senior year of high school, I had extra time and resources thanks to the income from my part-time job at a small nursery in Pleasant Hills, PA. Each day, I drove through Bruceton on my way to and from work, where I often saw trains passing through. To this day, the AVR and W&LE railroads still interchange freight there. Watching the AVR or W&LE drop off and pick up freight sparked my interest in trains and inspired me to explore and improve my skills in train chasing and photography.
Photo on the Right: AVR-3 passing under W&LE 389. I had sat here for hours waiting for Allegheny Valley railroad's train out to Washington county to come back from whatever industries got switched on May 4th, 2020. Sadly the 389 on the bridge was one of the last of its symbol to run.
Photo Below : Odd assortment of locomotives on Wheeling and Lake Erie's 614 job pick up AVR's interchange freight.
Most of these engines are uncommon or impossible to see in Bruceton now a days, 2662 got re-built, 6314 got repainted, 253 got sold off and the other 4 - axle locomotives on the W&LE roster are super infrequent. Allegheny Valley Railroad and Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway generally use 6 - axle locomotives now.
At the Very end of 2020 I decided to start gathering and posting most of my photos on Instagram. I felt by this time my love for train photography had to take off for others to see.
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Post high school in 2021, I began experimenting with different types of camera gear, including a Canon T7 and a DJI Mini. This was an exciting transition for me as I explored the possibilities of capturing unique and memorable images. Between late 2021 and early 2023, I was enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, pursuing an Environmental Studies major. While living in Johnstown, I stumbled upon the particular types of aura and atmosphere that resonate with me most, shaping the perspective I aim to convey through my photography in a meaningful way.
I have a deep passion for photographing scenes that are both rustic and vibrant, blending the charm of old industrial sites with the nostalgia of short-line railroads that are still operational. Over time, I developed a stronger connection to the history and memory of places like Johnstown, Altoona, Hollidaysburg, and a handful of other surrounding towns far more than I ever connected with my time at Pitt. These towns offered an endless supply of inspiration as I delved deeper into both their stories and their landscapes.
During my time at UPJ, my frequent photography spot was the Conemaugh and Black Lick Railroad, commonly abbreviated as C&BL. This railroad became my go-to location for observing early morning rail activity. Back then, C&BL trains typically operated between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., Monday through Friday. Every visit to the tracks felt like a new adventure because no two mornings were ever the same. Although their freight activity was minimal during that period, the line managed to persist until its parent company, Lehigh Valley Rail Management (LVRM), ultimately sold it to a newer group called Phoenix Rail.
There was always so much to explore and countless moments to capture through my lens. At one point, I invested in a drone, which elevated my train photography to a whole new level. The drone I used was a DJI Mini, if memory serves me right. Despite offering new angles and possibilities, its camera often left much to be desired, especially in less-than-ideal conditions, and it was plagued by persistent computer issues. Unfortunately, those technical complications eventually grounded the drone for good. I decided to hold onto it for spare parts, should the need ever arise. It was quite some time before I was able to afford another, more advanced drone to continue pursuing my passion for aerial photography.
Photos above and below are of Conemaugh and Black Lick railroad #104, ( Now Scrapped) and #111, Now WMSR. Property now operated Phoenix Rail LVRM property. Conemaugh and Black Lick Railroad and 2 other close spots were my go to railfanning locations while I lived at UPJ.
Photos above were taken in November 28th, 2022: the other was taken in September 11th, 2022.
Post UPJ to Current Day
After attending Pitt, I worked at the Bethel Park Lowe's Home Improvement Store. This turned out to be not just a good place to work, but also a place where I could gain valuable experience, enjoy a discount on tools, and frequently watch and listen to the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway's trains as they roared past Longview Junction, hidden in the tree line. My tips from work eventually allowed me to save enough money to purchase a new drone after what felt like an eternity of working outside, tirelessly moving heavy bags of mulch that customers would have loaded into their cars, trucks, and trailers. I suspect some of them felt a bit of pity for me seeing me handle the dirty and physical labor, but I never let it bother me. I embraced the hard work and, as a result, was able to reap the rewards and finally take to the skies with my new aerial equipment once again.
I now have a new full-time job, and one of the best parts is having my weekends free to go on adventures, whether to familiar locations or exploring entirely new places. With this new job, I also have access to more resources thanks to the better pay rate I receive. It is undeniably a much easier job compared to the days of hauling concrete bags, stacks of lumber, and endless bags of mulch from morning until night. One of the first things I invested in with my improved financial standing was a high-quality drone, which I use to experiment with capturing stunning aerial landscape photos. This drone is a significant upgrade from the flimsy flying toothpicks I had used in the past. Being able to take to the sky has opened up so many more creative opportunities that simply weren't possible when I was restricted to shooting photos while standing on the ground.
With more energy at my disposal, I now dedicate more time to learning and researching new ideas for enhancing my photography techniques. I've explored a variety of methods, such as shooting from prone positions for unique angles, mastering photography in low-light areas like tunnels, or crafting images by shooting in shadowed areas while aiming toward brightly sunlit scenes. I've also delved into long-exposure photography, especially at night, where I incorporate a bright flash into shots while keeping the aperture open for dramatic effects. This combination of technical experimentation and creative learning has truly expanded what I'm able to achieve with my camera.
Photo above taken 01/25/2024 ( AVR-5 )
Photo above taken in August 2025 ( W&LE 614)