The history of Metro Transit Archives Part III (2007-2008)



Welcome to the third installment of the history of Metro Transit Archives. This edition will chronicle years 2007 and 2008 so sit back and enjoy you ride.

In late 2006, I purchased a Nikon D70, replacing my beautiful D50, which I still miss to this day. The D70 was a cool camera and I learned a lot from it during the short time in my hands.

In March 2007, several transit fans ventured to San Francisco to take in the city and MUNI. That trip included a day trip to Los Angeles. Here are some images from that trip:






It was at this point, I realized that the lens I was using, which I dropped the month before in Chicago, only worked in a manual setting. This curse turned out to be a blessing that night, which produced some of the best night photos I've ever taken.






The next day I flew down to Los Angeles and captured these images.








 


Returning home, a freak snowstorm grounded my plane in Atlanta. I spent two days in the city and managed to ride the transit system, MARTA. Here are a few digital images from that "bonus" trip.


 




After this trip, I was grounded for a while and fanned my home system.

 



 
Later that year, I was treated to some old school transit when the New York City Transit Authority put several of their classic buses in active service as "specials".



In 2008, I returned to California with a better camera and workable lens. I also started recording videos, which has become a major aspect of my field. Here are a few photos from then:







Let me end this will two from Christmas 2008:



Hoped you enjoyed. Next stop: Part IV

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The history of Metro Transit Archives Part I (1997-2002)

Image
   Today on Metro Transit Archives, I will discuss the history of that moniker and how I, Thomas Reaves entered into the world of Transit Photography. Recently, another fan and blogger, Carlton Walton, asked about my transit "resume", basically where I've been to over the years. Thinking more about it, I decided the best way is to explain my life since the age of 17 to now, at age 34. This post will chronicle the first five years (1997-2002) with photos and stories so sit back, relax, and enjoy this trip down memory lane. December 23th, 1997 started it all. It was this bus: 2944, a 1974 GM Fishbowl. formerly known at the MTA Christmas bus, that inspired me to start photographing transit. Unfortunately, I lost the original prints years ago but I was able to get a better photo at the 2003 MTA Roadeo. In 1998, thanks to a good friend who bought me my first camera, I was able to get out and take photos. For any new photographer, it's rough getting to
Read more

The History of Metro Transit Archives Part II (2003-2006)

Image
Continuing on with Part II... It is January 2003 and my hometown transit system, MTA Maryland has taken delivery of 99 Neoplan Low Floors (0200-0299, except 0220, which was destroyed in an accident) Here is 0208, fresh from delivery on January 20th, 2003. Baltimore's second foray into the Low Floor Industry, these buses helped to retire the 1984 (8400) and 1985 (8500) series, although some held on due to an emergency that took place later that year. 8504 at Mondawmin Metro Station, June 2003 In the summer of 2003, MTA instituted a Light Rail Shuttle program that took the better of two years to complete. Many older Flxibles, displaced by the Neoplan order returned to service or were committed to the LRS until retirement. 7003 at Patapsco Light Rail Station, Spring 2004 Although mostly homebound, I was able to get out of town occasionally, mainly to Philadelphia. 3275 awaits its next assignment for the EL Shuttle   5232 in the Olney neighborhood in
Read more

Metro Transit Archives After Dark: Prime Time (So.Cal Style)

Image
Evening Everyone: Today, I'm bringing back the Metro Transit After Dark series. In late 2014, I purchased a fixed Nikon 35mm Prime lens. One of the features was a wider 1.8f stop to allow more light into the camera, particularly when taking photos at night. After some trial and error, I got the hang of it. In August 2015, I spent my birthday in Los Angeles and was able to take full advantage of the possibilities with the lens. Here are 17 photos I took with that lens at night. Some of my favorite photos I took all year. Enjoy!! LA Metrobus Xcelsior unloads outside Hollywood & Vine Red Line Station A NABI 45C and New Flyer XN40 each at the ending and beginning of their respective routes Passengers asking for information helps this photo taken at Hollywood & Highland A Route 212 operator helps this passenger with billboards and tourists surround them A Route 217 bus, at the beginning of its route, pauses to load passengers in heavy traffic On
Read more