Car 54

Posted on September 21, 2011 by spilledinkguy

I wanted it to look like this car from the Museum of Transportation could still be in service, so I re-built quite a bit of the above.

If you’re curious… unedited photo here (click thumbnail for full-size)… and more info below:

Mass. Bay Area Trans. Authority No. 54
Coach (Model RDC-1)
Budd; 1954
Self-Propelled, diesel-powered, built for Canadian Pacific Ry.

About this image: digital photograph; moderately modified

84 thoughts on “Car 54”

Annabelle on September 21, 2011 at 12:05 am said:

It’s awesome! I love this one!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:00 am said:
  
  Thank you, Annabelle!
  I appreciate that very much!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Bearman on September 21, 2011 at 6:51 pm said:
    
    I wish my wife was so supportive beyond just TELLING me in person..haha
    
    Reply ↓
    - spilledinkguy on September 26, 2011 at 10:32 am said:
      
      I’m pretty spoiled, aren’t I?!
      (Don’t tell Annabelle that, though)!
      🙂
      
      Reply ↓
FS Photography on September 21, 2011 at 1:57 am said:

You sure did some pretty intense building up there SIG.. Very impressive indeed, and I’d certainly not have realised… Maybe you could get some work rebuilding for the rail companies, as I’m sure your methods would save them a fortune… 😉

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:01 am said:
  
  That is very kind of you, F.S, thank you!
  Hahaha… absolutely!
  ‘I’ve been airbrushing for the railroads… all the live-long day…’
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Syncopated Eyeball on September 21, 2011 at 2:56 am said:

I like what you did with the colours.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:03 am said:
  
  I was hoping the boosted yellows/reds would help create a bit of a vintage feel…
  that is very nice to hear, S,E… thank you!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
nursemyra on September 21, 2011 at 3:27 am said:

Car 54, where are you? 🙂

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:05 am said:
  
  Hahaha…
  ‘Krushchev’s due at Idlewild!’
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - frigginloon on September 21, 2011 at 7:47 pm said:
    
    Damn NM, I was going to say that. Serves me right for being so friggin tardy!!!
    
    Reply ↓
    - spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 7:58 pm said:
      
      I can’t believe that didn’t occur to me when I titled this one…
      maybe I should just pretend it’s what I had in mind the whole time…
      yeah… yeah, that’s the ticket…
      🙂
      
      Reply ↓
    - Binky on September 21, 2011 at 8:04 pm said:
      
      Yeah, me too! You people should stop thinking like me!
      
      Reply ↓
      - frigginloon on September 22, 2011 at 4:53 am said:
        
        and showing our age 😦
      - spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 8:46 am said:
        
        I’m in denial about that, so I heard nothing.
        🙂
      - spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 8:42 am said:
        
        Great minds, Binky!
        🙂
- nrhatch on September 21, 2011 at 10:29 am said:
  
  Hey . . . nursemyra “stole” my thought! 😀
  
  Reply ↓
  - spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 11:18 am said:
    
    That sort of thing happens to me ALL the time!
    🙂
    
    Reply ↓
Laura on September 21, 2011 at 3:39 am said:

Really nice. Thanks for showing us the original — what a difference!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:07 am said:
  
  You are very kind, Laura, thank you!
  I’ve had a few requests for a before/after, so I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now…
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Debbie Adams on September 21, 2011 at 6:21 am said:

I like your over the original.

Deb xx

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:08 am said:
  
  With so many choices it’s sometimes difficult to know what direction take these things,
  so I really appreciate that, Ms. A!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
ceceliafutch on September 21, 2011 at 6:44 am said:

Reminds me of my young childhood MANY years ago. On two different occasions Mom dressed my brother and me up in our Sunday best, and we took the train from Doyline, LA, to Louisville, KY, to visit my grandparents. Wonderful memories. Great shot.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:10 am said:
  
  Those really do sound like wonderful memories!
  I’ve never ridden on a train (other than a very sort trip around a yard once), but I imagine that would have been quite a lot of fun! I think there’s just something inherently fascinating about trains…
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
nigel on September 21, 2011 at 7:39 am said:

I find it interesting that you included the ‘post’ that partially blocks the train…

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:15 am said:
  
  The rehearsed answer would be something like,
  ‘I wanted this to be about the experience of waiting on a platform’…
  the real answer is more along the lines of,
  ‘Not enough distance between the edge of said platform and the train to get much into the shot (with the lens I have, anyway)’… (not a very glamorous answer, is it?)…
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Syncopated Eyeball on September 21, 2011 at 6:26 pm said:
    
    Haha! You are a real treat, SIG!
    
    Reply ↓
    - spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 6:50 pm said:
      
      Hahaha…
      I’m ‘something’, aren’t I!
      🙂
      
      Reply ↓
Lenore Diane on September 21, 2011 at 7:56 am said:

NurseMyra beat me to it….
“Car 54, where aaaare yooou?”
I like this picture. Love the rust/orange colors.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:17 am said:
  
  ‘Brooklyn’s broken out in fights‘
  You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an episode of that show… I recognized the reference right away, though!
  Thank you very much, Ms. D… that is very kind!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
- nrhatch on September 21, 2011 at 10:29 am said:
  
  You both beat me to it, Lenore!
  
  The early bird gets the worm . . . I just get another cup of coffee.
  
  Reply ↓
  - spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 11:19 am said:
    
    Hahaha…
    I’d happily settle for some caffeine… I think I’m out at the moment! Yikes!
    🙂
    
    Reply ↓
Lenore Diane on September 21, 2011 at 7:58 am said:

Nice job on the editing, too. Your unedited shot was a good shot (obviously, because you need a foundation from which to edit), but your edits certainly improved the train.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:19 am said:
  
  I am very happy to hear that, because I tend to get carried away with these things, you know!
  And with so many choices… the possibilities are nearly limitless.
  Thank you very much, Ms. D.!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Tori Nelson on September 21, 2011 at 8:41 am said:

I suppose I’m just weird (no surprise there) but I LOVE the look of rust. Things get better with age, right?

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 10:28 am said:
  
  I guess we’re both weird, then, Ms. N…
  Oxidation does some pretty fascinating things, I think!
  Plus there’s that whole history / decline thing going on…
  so… totally!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
youngamericanwisdom.com on September 21, 2011 at 10:56 am said:

Wow! I love the rusty quality. Great job!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 11:21 am said:
  
  Thank you so much, Y.A.W…
  I ‘loves me’ some rust, you know!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
frizztext on September 21, 2011 at 12:05 pm said:

I love your stylish retro / sepia compositions!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 12:22 pm said:
  
  That is very kind of you to say, sir!
  Thank you so much!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Redneckprincess on September 21, 2011 at 12:19 pm said:

Sweet!!!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 12:22 pm said:
  
  I really appreciate that, RNP!
  Thank you!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Megan (Best of Fates) on September 21, 2011 at 1:52 pm said:

I totally bought it – at first I thought it looked just like photos I take of the metro!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  That’s awesome, Megan – just what I was hoping for!
  Great success!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
elmediat on September 21, 2011 at 2:54 pm said:

Excellent processing.
Waldo : “Car 54 I found you !”

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 4:34 pm said:
  
  Hahaha…
  Blast! I thought my hiding spot would last me at least through a nap!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Unapologetically Mundane on September 21, 2011 at 3:31 pm said:

Wow, seeing the unedited one just makes this one all the better. I love the colors, and making the angle upright just . . . I don’t know . . . makes it an entirely different picture!

I kind of wanted to write “boo” or something on the Facebook one as joke but figured I should keep my comments neutral to supportive . . . for now.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 4:36 pm said:
  
  That is wonderful to hear, U.M… thank you!
  The colors and distortion were the quick part… airbrushing out the rope and re-building the boarded-over window took a while though.
  HAHAHA… well, as soon as FB puts in a ‘Boo this post’ button please feel free to use it!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Tony McGurk on September 21, 2011 at 3:59 pm said:

One thing I miss since moving back to Tasmania is going for train rides. We only have freight trains here. Comparing the unedited photo you sure do a great job of them

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  I’ve never actually been on a real train ride before, but I love all things train.
  Thank you so much, Mr. M. – you are very kind!
  
  Reply ↓
wordsfallfrommyeyes on September 21, 2011 at 4:07 pm said:

You’re really clever – this is great. A really old time feel.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  That is wonderful to hear, thank you!
  And thank you very much for stopping by as well – I really do appreciate your kind comment!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
jacquelincangro on September 21, 2011 at 6:46 pm said:

I liked seeing the difference between the original photo and the retouched photo. Really cool edits!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 6:51 pm said:
  
  I’m very happy to hear that!
  I haven’t been doing much of the before and after stuff, but I’ve had a few requests so I thought it would be fun to give it a try!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
thedailydish on September 21, 2011 at 6:50 pm said:

So interesting to be able to see the before and after shots. Both quality images, but you’ve made the 2nd POP! Too cool.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 6:52 pm said:
  
  That is very kind of you (as always), Dishy – thank you!
  As you can tell I have way too much fun with Photoshop… it’s almost wrong!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
frigginloon on September 21, 2011 at 7:49 pm said:

Would have been cool seeing a person screaming in the window 🙂

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 21, 2011 at 8:03 pm said:
  
  I decided to take that out…
  (I’m not as photogenic as I’d hoped…)
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
milkayphoto on September 21, 2011 at 8:05 pm said:

I like what you’ve done here. The aged tones work so well!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 8:43 am said:
  
  Thank you very much, M.P…
  as you know I’m a sucker for anything vintage / retro (which explains this… attempt)!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Binky on September 21, 2011 at 8:07 pm said:

Nice to see the original; I’d believe the picture was taken at the station. Car 54, going to. . .

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 8:44 am said:
  
  I’m very happy to hear that, sir! Thank you!
  Hahaha… I might make a stop at the bakery first, though…
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
jb on September 21, 2011 at 9:19 pm said:

Not what i was expecting.I was expecting to say where are you. but you did a fine job on this one.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 8:45 am said:
  
  Hahaha… I’ve got to keep everyone on their toes, you know!
  Thank you very much, sir!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
conspiracyofravens on September 22, 2011 at 5:20 am said:

what a makeover, really like the vintage feel! i reckon you didn’t use any editing software, you’ve simply put the original through a time machine. 🙂

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 8:47 am said:
  
  Hahaha…
  BLAST! You are onto me, COR! Now everyone is going to want to ‘borrow’ my time machine!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Journey Photographic on September 22, 2011 at 9:12 am said:

Your edit works wonders on this shot – very nice indeed!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 10:03 am said:
  
  That is very kind of you to say, J.P…
  thank you so much!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Scholar Mel on September 22, 2011 at 1:04 pm said:

Your edited version looks much better.

PS: I hope you are now able to access my site without a redirection.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 3:52 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, Mel!
  I’ll check it out!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Chris Watkins on September 22, 2011 at 1:11 pm said:

I’ve been trying for AGES to figure out how to leave comments on your posts, Robert. Maybe I just didn’t scroll down far enough. In any event, I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your photographs. You have such a wonderful eye. Now that I know how to comment, I should be doing so more often. 🙂

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 22, 2011 at 3:56 pm said:
  
  Very understandable – it sure doesn’t help matters the comment link is uber tiny, gets lost in tags and is a bit vague to begin with!
  That is very, very kind of you, Mr. W! I sincerely appreciate it, sir!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
MC/Curtis on September 23, 2011 at 1:31 pm said:

It’s Car 54! Ha…
It looks cool. To me it looks like it’s sitting out in a junk yard but I like that.
I’m glad it’s in a museum though. I wish they’d do something with ALL the old ones but at least this one found a second use.

I think they should park the old ones on an abandoned track and convert them into apartments and call it Train Town.

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 23, 2011 at 2:20 pm said:
  
  Hahaha… Train Town has a very nice ring to it!
  Other than the living accommodations, this museum is very much like that…
  long sections of track just filled with parked locomotives, cars and railroad stuff… it’s a very cool place!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
jakesprinter on September 24, 2011 at 3:43 pm said:

I like the way how you create this picture excellent sir.:)

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 24, 2011 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much for your kind comments – I appreciate that very much!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Androgoth on September 25, 2011 at 6:46 pm said:

It is truly a wicked photograph my friend 🙂

Androgoth

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 26, 2011 at 9:59 am said:
  
  I’m very happy to hear you liked this one, A.G…
  I had a lot of fun working on it!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Hjortur Hjartarson on September 26, 2011 at 8:41 am said:

This one would make a fine poster at a cafe place

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on September 26, 2011 at 10:08 am said:
  
  That is very kind of you!
  Thanks so much, Mr. H… now I’d better go find some coffee!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Juana on October 1, 2011 at 9:34 pm said:

It’s amazing how you alter photos! I am ready to go on board that #54!

Reply ↓
- spilledinkguy on October 1, 2011 at 10:10 pm said:
  
  I’m happy to hear that you like this one, Juana (I was afraid I was posting too many train images for everyone’s liking lately)!
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Juana on October 2, 2011 at 10:01 pm said:
    
    Your work is always very original- even if you repeat the subject. So don’t worry- keep on trucking… I mean, training! 😉
    
    Reply ↓
    - spilledinkguy on October 4, 2011 at 9:22 am said:
      
      You are so kind, Juana!
      Thank you! I like trains quite a bit, but I was hoping I wasn’t relying on them too much recently!
      🙂
      
      Reply ↓