The Smell of Coal Smoke in the Morning...

The Smell of Coal Smoke in the Morning...

If you’ll indulge me my Robert Duvall/Major Kilgore moment…
I’m not sure if the smell of coal smoke in the morning ”smells like...Victory!”
But it certainly did smell like “Adventure!” - with delicious olfactory overtones of nostalgia.

The photo was taken at Landquart Hbf, as the Rhätische Bahn’s classic steam train
to Sumvitg in Canton Graubünden’s Surselva region was being assembled.

In the morning light of this splendid early October day, the windows of the vintage dark green
RhB four-wheeled carriages reflect the modern red of the Regio Express across the way, as
No.107 “Albula” gets fed all the coal she'll need to make a smoky statement that says “I’m ready!”

Soon, the old gal will back her train up to the platform, where excited rail-fans await their all-day adventure.

From a Fujichrome-100 transparency.

This image is available in archival gallery prints and as a custom printed Photo Note Card.

Photo, Narrative, and Design ©2011/2012 Steve Ember