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Train station photo

December 31, 2004

Update: scroll down to see the same spot 25 years later.

I was cleaning out our storeroom and found this photo on a box under a shelf.  It’s about 3 x 5 inches, scratched and it smells like it’s been in a basement under a box for a decade or so.  The memory is equally imperfect.

I took this photo in Johnson City, Tennessee in about 1981, using an antique Contax 35mm camera and Tri-X.  The train station looked like it hadn’t changed since when that camera was new.  The ground was oily, the boarding deck made of heavy planks on even heavier beams.  I was skulking around the city with the old German camera trying to be some kind of art photographer. 

If you like the picture, feel free to grab it.  Just right-click on it to open a context menu, and select “save image as”

UPDATE: 14 June, 2006
Check out this photo sent in by Justin Hoilman of Johnson City:

How cool is THAT!!!”  The same spot, 25 years later! I especially like having a person in the picture, walking on the tracks – an element of mystery.  Thanks for sending it, Justin!

Categories: Art
  1. John Hoke
    December 31, 2004 at 12:46 | #1
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    Wow,

    That is a beautiful shot. I love the play between the wooden planks on the floor and the brick.

    If you have more of these in a shoebox somewhere, scan them in, this is fabulous :)

    (I should go find all my graveyard photos I took around NYC over the years… I can’t wait for my new camera to arrive… taking pictures of the NYC Metropolios in the background of the various Necropolises in Queens/Brooklyn says it all )

  2. MrsDoF
    December 31, 2004 at 13:18 | #2
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    I remember that when you took toddler son and me back to show us your find, the train had moved and the lighting wasn’t “right” anymore.  But he sure had fun getting dirty climbing all over the planks and railings.

  3. dorian jones
    September 5, 2005 at 16:37 | #3
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    hello,

    i currently own the train station.

    i am wondering what other photos you may have.

    respectfully,

    dorian jones

  4. decrepitoldfool
    September 9, 2005 at 17:38 | #4
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    See, this is what I love about blogging.  You never know who’s going to drop in.

    I’m curious what you are using the building for?  Couldn’t find it on your very cool website – is it the store you mentioned?

    I’ll look through my old negatives.  Meanwhile I’ll find that print again and send you a high-resolution scan.

  5. george.w
    June 13, 2006 at 21:40 | #5
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    Justin Hoilman – somehow – found the picture and took a 25-year-later picture.  :coolsmile: 

    OK, now somebody send me another picture in the year 2031…

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