The Shot of a Lifetime! - On the night of April 3, 2014, a large line of severe thunderstorms came roaring into Arkansas. I'm an avid storm chaser and love shooting lightning. I started first at the UP yard in Malvern, capturing some good bolts. I then jumped in the car and raced north core punching through heavy rain and more lightning to get ahead of the storms. In Little Rock, I knew the UP DDA40X is on display outside the Jenks Shop and would make for a great photo with the coming storm. Arriving just after midnight and setting up the camera on the tripod in the backseat pointing the camera lens out the window, I was ready. Pressing the cable release and triggering the shutter, at 12:39:59 am this massive bolt hit just behind the unit! The flash was so bright and instant thunder very loud, I closed the shutter and this is what was captured. The bolt was less than 100 yards away. The drive back home to Hot Springs, I was thanking the Lord for allowing me to witness and capture the "photo" of a lifetime.
Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
Class
EMD DD40X
Road Number
UP 6938
Line/Subdivision
Little Rock/UP
Location
Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Date Taken
April 04, 2014
Date Uploaded
December 20, 2023
Views
288
Favorites
Hot Shot
200 Views
The Shot of a Lifetime! - On the night of April 3, 2014, a large line of severe thunderstorms came roaring into Arkansas. I'm an avid storm chaser and love shooting lightning. I started first at the UP yard in Malvern, capturing some good bolts. I then jumped in the car and raced north core punching through heavy rain and more lightning to get ahead of the storms. In Little Rock, I knew the UP DDA40X is on display outside the Jenks Shop and would make for a great photo with the coming storm. Arriving just after midnight and setting up the camera on the tripod in the backseat pointing the camera lens out the window, I was ready. Pressing the cable release and triggering the shutter, at 12:39:59 am this massive bolt hit just behind the unit! The flash was so bright and instant thunder very loud, I closed the shutter and this is what was captured. The bolt was less than 100 yards away. The drive back home to Hot Springs, I was thanking the Lord for allowing me to witness and capture the "photo" of a lifetime.
Rick Doughty (62) I have been photographing trains since 1975. My favorite railroad is the Denver & Rio Grande Western. My photos have been featured in CTC Board, Railfan & Railroad, Railroads Illustrated, many railroad book and motive power annuals. I also enjoy severe weather photography and storm chasing. I play drums for my local church. I live in southern Idaho with my wonderful wife Stacey, who enjoys going with me on train watching adventures.
UP 6938 is a class EMD DD40X and is pictured in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. This was taken along the Little Rock/UP on the Union Pacific Railroad. Photo Copyright: Rick Doughty uploaded to Railroad Gallery on 12/20/2023. This photograph of UP 6938 was taken on Friday, April 04, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
Pure awesome!