Exactly what is a passage? According to the dictionary there are many meanings. Here are a few: a portion or section of a written work; a paragraph, verse, etc.; a phrase or other division of a musical work; fine arts - an area, section, or detail of a work, especially with respect to its qualities of execution; an act or instance of passing from one place, condition, to another; a lapse or passing, as of time; an opening or entrance into, through, or out of something; the enactment into law of a legislative measure
Can any of us go through life and not experience many of these types of passages? While photographing old trains at the National Transportation Museum in St. Louis the word passage kept dropping into my mind. As I wandered about the trains I began to imagine the places they’ve been, passengers they carried, and events they witnessed. I’m sure there were millions of stories carried along thousands of miles of track.
The aim of this series is to serve as visual metaphor to spur your imagination and think about your own passages. If you’d like more information about me and my work, or to purchase prints from this series or others, go to www.halmoran.com
Titled .ORG (orange, red, green) these trolleys date back to the early 1900s. As a second grade boy in 1963 I was on a field trip to the MOT (Museum of Transportation). We ate lunch on a green trolley - which I believe is same trolley as in my photo. Recently while exhibiting this image and other at an art fair, I met a man who said he road the Chestnut Hill trolley to school everyday as a boy in Philadelphia. Small world - huh.
Sometimes transitioning from one passage to another requires you to jump - even when the "train" is moving. Seriously though, freight jumping has been around since the invention of the railroad. Made popular during the Great Depression hobos jumped trains as their passage to find work. Today many still jump, although some just for sport.
The many passages we take through life can have a wearing and weathering effect like this old rail car. But, the texture and color they bring out in life are most times worth it. All things aren't good, but "all things work together for good..."
A train engineer, a leader in his/her own right, can be a lonely profession. Considering the great responsibility one has for cargo and passengers - care, concern, safety, and respect must be paramount.
My great nephew, Mathew Rice, age 11, is somewhat an expert on anything railroad related. I asked Matthew if he would provide a snippet about this particular locomotive. Here's what he shared with me. "1522 was a 4-8-2 Mountain type steam locomotive. She was retired in May, 1988 and was moved to St Louis Museum of Transportation. During the move she ran aground and broke her cab axle (back axle). They tried to raise money to fix 1522, but nobody would help." I'm glad I have people like Matthew and others to help me make my way through life.
Sometimes it takes a good bit of abstraction to find our own way amidst the chaos around us. One of my favorite images from this series, abstracting the color of the red trolley from the black and white trains around it brings clarity and focus of attention to the image.
Yeah, I just like old rusty stuff! The colors and textures fascinate me. But, even though decay is evident signs of new life spring up.
The H&M Railroad, opened in 1908, remains the only subway running between Manhattan and New Jersey. I wonder what famous faces graced its cars.
Mass transit was first made possible via trains and trolleys. Whether riding across town or across country I wonder what people did in those spaces prior to smart phones. Gee, perhaps they had real conversations!
The wheel, one of the simplest of all machines, has been around since the dawn of creation. I think it will be around a bit longer.
Title: Fast food. I think times have changed!
A typical locomotive weighs between 30-35 tons per axle and hauls millions of pounds of cargo and hundreds of passengers. Pretty amazing. You ought to see what the two pound broom can do!
Where is GE now? They're off the track I'm afraid rusting like this old rail car. "Rank and yank," made famous by former CEO Jack Welch, "transitioned" many good workers right out the door.
People aren't like trains. While trains may be put out in bone yards, people retain their value for a lifetime.
... But one day there will be an end of the line for all of us. What's your next passage? I already know mine!
Interested in knowing more about me and my work? Head on over to www.halmoran.com. And, if you'd like to purchase any of my artwork, or schedule a speaking engagement, check out my Contact page on my website.