The Negative Relationship between a good Camcorder and Luck of the Draw

When I have the HDC-SD60 working and in great shape, my outings become a mecca for disappointment. I only get the basic trains, the givens, and whatever else that has flat consists and boring power. However, when I am down to using a smartphone to shoot my video, I get much better action.

I philosophize this theory with the way my trips to Central Florida have went. Well, here's the insult to injury. In July 2007, where a video camcorder was nonexistent, at least I SAW O719 holding out by Oleander, P097 in Orlando, Q791/A977 in downtown Orlando, and Q188 near where I caught Q235. Though, not all catches meant that I saw the power; though I could've chased them with today's standard of railfanning. In November I saw a NB Autorack train, Q238, and had a Handycam, but missed the power and my father refused to chase it. May of 2008, well nothing but the NB meteor but that didn't matter all too much, and November of 2008 we didn't go trackside. In March 2010, where my Handycam (a tape cam) was already customized to produce full color night shots, I just missed a Q188 with a GEVO leading and left CFL with only 3 full catches. And in March 2011, with the HDC-SD60, I finally start to get the trains, but they're all dash-8 consists. Though, in Plant City, I got a taste of AC power on Q188. But still, that doesn't quantify well especially with the summer disaster where I only see the three givens, X901, Q188, Q456, and only X901 has an interesting lashup and a loud horn on its SD70MAC. But SD70MACs were already numbered quite well in my channel, being like the fifth of the year that I see. Now for the teeth of this post. My camcorder craps out in Nov., refusing to turn on. (it will get repaired) We go for Veterans Day, to FOTM and scope out a couple of trains after. I get a total of seven, V165 (my first coal train), Q456, P092, Q177, Q188, A777, and Q235. Q188 had an all AC lashup and V165 had a very interesting lashup, an SD70MAC leading a CEFX SD40-2 and a ES44AH. Really, Train Gods? I appreciate the uncanny catches but why did the camera have to break just before the outing?

I think you can suppose psychology has to do with this. When you have great expectations, you get nothing and leave home wondering why you invested the time for nothing. And when conditions OR expectations are grim, you leave yearning that the camcorder was working.

It has also been the conduit for frustration as well. Other railbuffs get the luck of the draw almost all of the time. I get in the picture, with the picture quality I desire and they say they've probably received the lowest numbers yet. Yeah, my Spring 2011 trip was good but the pickings could've been better. I still have yet to see a Central Florida rock train and a unit Phosphate, no matter how many times I've hit the area. :/ At least there's some fun to the trips.

Almost the same happens on the Miami Sub. I at least started upping my game and got V149, the Miami Coal train, but still, the really fun stuff only happens when I'm not on a daytime outing. Even so, V149 was monitored meticulously on that stormy Saturday from my home until I knew it was on the line. My only K-rock train catch was a horrible chase as well. But before 2007, I remember seeing everything! Rock trains, Q-manifests, even foreign power on the Miami and Homestead Subs.

Maybe this will be a lesson for whenever my faithful Panny gets fixed. (that's a matter of if, I think). When I go to Tampa, FL for the annual Tampa Train Show, (GSE) I will try to go with ZERO expectation. Let's see what I score. :)

CSX Miami Sub Layout Update

Heading to Ready to roll today. I am very pleased as to how I am finally back to the model railroad scene tonight. On the 8th I picked up some cheap turnouts so for that I'm good. Finding a great deal is like a pot of gold. Each were running at least 30% off and I got 3 turnouts for the price of 2, 2 of which were #8s. This was from Warrick's. It's funny considering that I was going to buy them in the Summer at full price. Well thought out, eh?

I may pick up further accessories or rolling stock. As far as the engines go, I'm made; I have a GP39-2 and a SD70MAC, more than enough.

I'll be fanning the parallel mainlines today in search of Amtrak, FEC, CSX, and Tri-Rail action. I'll also be at IKEA picking up a correct FRAMSTA unit.

So a fun, busy day today!