The Silence of Big Thunder

Getting a crisp, clean photo of the finale track run of Big Thunder Mountain was an oddly persistent focus during my early years of photographing the park.  Complicating it was the fact that I never had a lens that fully captured the width I wanted to get without getting the guardrail of the overlooking bridge in the way.  But sometimes, I could get close to the coverage I desired.  There's something soothing about the luminous scene standing still at night after a full day of runaway mine train roller coasting, giving guests a taste of the wildest ride in the wilderness.  It made me ponder how even roller coasters need their rest too, and how the train cars must be enjoying the break for the night!

Big Thunder Mountain's final turnaround in the still of midnight.