Famed Railroad Photographer Jim Shaughnessy has died.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Fri Sep 7, 2018, 03:59 PM - Edit history (2)

Hat tip, Trainorders: Steam & Excursion > Tribute to Jim Shaughnessy

Date: 09/06/18 07:00
Tribute to Jim Shaughnessy
Author: ETFuller

One of photography's greats, Jim Shaughnessy, passed away recently. Dennis Livesey remembers Jim's influence on his own work and considers the impact of Jim's life on the art of railroad photography.

http://thetracksidephotographer.com/2018/09/06/i-photographed-what-i-saw/

Edd Fuller, Editor
The Trackside Photographer
http://thetracksidephotographer.com/

James J. Shaughnessy

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James J. ShaughnessyTroy- James J. Shaughnessy, 84, of Troy, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2018.Born in Troy, he was the son of the late James A. Shaughnessy and Helen Goodwin Shaughnessy and loving husband of 57 years to Carol MacNaughton Shaughnessy. Jim was a graduate of Catholic Central High School, class of 1951, and went on to get his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from RPI graduating in 1955. He loved to cook and was an excellent chef. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife Carol to Ogunquit Maine, Stowe Vermont, Mexico and Europe, especially Ireland. Jim was very proud of his Irish heritage.Over his career he held various positions including professor of civil engineering at Hudson Valley Community College, engineer at both the New York State Department of Transportation and Rensselaer County Highway Department, design engineer at Kestner Engineers P.C., a private water and wastewater consulting firm, and Director of environmental health for the Rensselaer County Health Department.However, he was most well-known for his brilliant second career as a nationally renowned railroad photographer, author and historian for nearly 70 years. He was one of the driving forces that helped reshape American railroad photography in the 1950s. His work has appeared in over 100 books and been featured in Trains, Railroad, Railfan andClassic Trains magazines. He authored seminal books on the history of two railroads, Delaware & Hudson (1967) and The Rutland Road (1964), and his photography has been the subject of two monographs: The Call of Trains (2008) and Essential Witness (2017). He was awarded a lifetime achievement award for photography from the National Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in 1987.
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Pioneering Railroad Photographer Jim Shaughnessy Dies at 84

Legendary railroad photographer Jim Shaughnessy died on August 7 at age 84 after a months-long bout with illness. Shaughnessy is best known for his work during the steam-to-diesel transition era of the 1950s and 1960s, but he remained an active photographer through recent years. Over the course of his 60 year career he was recognized by his peers as a master of composition and presentation. His last public appearance was at the 2016 “Conversations Northeast” conference sponsored by the Center for Railroad Photography & Art at Storrs, Conn.



Jim Shaughnessy, 2008. Photo by Jeff Brouws
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—Otto M. Vondrak, Railfan & Railroad Magazine

This article was posted on: August 8, 2018

"I photographed what I saw"

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Troy Union Railroad crossing guard John Moriarity endures a heavy snowfall in the middle of the Broadway grade crossing at the south end of Union Station, while a New York Central switcher places baggage cars to be loaded at the express facility in March 1955. Due to the constant switching movements through the station, live flagmen instead of automatic signals are employed to protect the crossing. Photo by Jim Shaughnessy.

The Call of Trains: Railroad Photography of Jim Shaughnessy

The Call of Trains: Photography of Jim ShaughnessyReview by Otto M. Vondrak/photos as noted



It took me a while to assemble my thoughts for this review, due to the depth of material presented. I explored the work from many angles, trying my best to understand the photographer and what drives him. The theme of this review will be creativity within the greater context. To that point, I just came back from a Nine Inch Nails concert at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. I have a range of musical tastes, including the “industrial” rock of Nine Inch Nails’ front man Trent Reznor. Some of you may already be turned off, wondering what “that crazy music” has to do with the classic work of Jim Shaughnessy. Going back to our theme of context, I am going to try to offer my impressions of The Call of Trains: Railroad Photography of Jim Shaughnessy based on my own unique experiences as a young photographer.
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The evening switching crew at New York Central’s West Albany freight yard prepare to go on duty, February 22, 1961. Photo by Jim Shaughnessy



In one of the photographer’s favorite images, the St. Johnsbury & Lamoille County mixed train No. 44 rolls east through Lamoille County in Vermont, while horses enjoy the pasture and attempt to chase the train in September 1955. Photo by Jim Shaughnessy



Rutland Railway freight train RC-2 from Rutland, Vt., to Chatham, N.Y., crosses the high bridge over the Walloomsac River at North Hoosick, N.Y., in 1959. The train was posed briefly on the bridge to allow the photographer and his helpers to light the scene with flashbulbs. Photo by Jim Shaughnessy



Jim Shaughnessy photographs the Alco-powered Batten Kill Railroad from the Route 67 overpass in Eagle Bridge, N.Y, on October 19, 2010. Photo by Otto M. Vondrak
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—Originally published September 14, 2008, courtesy Railroad.net

Railfan & Railroad Magazine

This article was posted on: August 8, 2018

I've driven over that bridge in Eagle Bridge, NY.

Jim Shaughnessy and Canadian Railroad Photography

July 27, 2010
By Brett



(Canadian National, Sherbrooke, Quebec –1957)



(Canadian Pacific, Cookshire, Quebec –1956)

Link to The Call of Trains: Railroad Photographs by Jim Shaughnessy on Publisher’s Website: http://books.wwnorton.com/books/978-0-393-06592-3/

[shenmue]

1. Rest in peace

[Ohiogal]

2. What different times!

I love these historical photos.

Thank you mahatmakanejeeves for sharing the work of this brilliant photographer with us.