So, I will possibly be shooting on the RR tracks later this month. Does anyone know where I can check out some captivating editorial or stock RR images?

Thanks.

Type in "buyout film clips", film and print stock companies will return.  I'll mail you...

These aren't particularly captivating, but maybe they'll generate an idea.

http://justinonimus.com/amber-on-tracks2.jpg

http://justinonimus.com/amber-tracks-shirt1.jpg

http://justinonimus.com/amber-on-track3.jpg

http://justinonimus.com/shoe-on-track1-bw.jpg

http://justinonimus.com/becky-deb-rails1-sep.jpg

I dont know why some photographers are tired/hate railroad shots.. I think they are great and Justin yours are very captivating

Just stay away from Amtrak, you might get run over and cause a delay in service.

Just be careful. I dont know if this holds true for other parts of the country, but in California it's illegal to be on or around railroad tracks for an extended amount of time.

Cool. i love the images, Justin. My grandpa took a sweet shot of my two aunts walking along the tracks when they were little, trying to keep their balance. He took pics of everything, especially wildflowers.

Yeah, i'll try not to get run over. lol

I used to have some in my profile here, but it's been awhile since I shot on the tracks.  Of course, I'm doing "Perils of Pauline" type RR track images (model tied up on the tracks).  A couple of pieces of advice...

1) Train track shoots need at least 3 people, model, photographer and lookout.  The lookout is there to see if there is any chance a train is coming.  As they said in Drivers Ed, at a rail crossing, the train always has the Right of Way.  That holds for the rest of the tracks too! 

2) If the rails are shiny, then the tracks are used fairly frequently.  If the rails are somewhat rust, but there's no vegetation between the rails, the tracks are used occasionally.  If there is vegetation growing between the rails that's taller than 2-3 feet, the tracks aren't used (at least by trains!)

3) Technically, shooting photos on the tracks is tresspassing.  If someone asks you to leave, leave.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. 

Thanks for the nice words. Cliche or not, I like tracks. 

A rapid-fire series of a string of 5 or 6 locomotives in Martinez, California. This was done with a 25 year-old manually-wound Minolta XG-7.

If only I had had my D50 back then:

good shots, rp! that must have been LOUD out there
i'm wondering if Getty might have anything...

Kara-

I know you asked for picture sources. I have nothing for you there.

Here's another idea-
Take 20 minutes with pen and pad--and write down ANYTHING that comes into your head---you can edit later. Pick it up a day or two later and do it again. You might be surprised with what you come up with.