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Nate B

@warpedhorizon.bsky.social

Architecture/technology/transportation geek Twin Cities Suburbs He/Him

2650 Posts2090 Follower378 Folgt
Nate B@warpedhorizon.bsky.social · 5d ago

On some rare days at MSP airport they have to flip operations because of winds. Planes land from the west- right in front of the Aircraft Viewing Area, and take off to the east- over the Minnesota River. When the light and schedules cooperate it makes for amazing photography.

Chris Geidner@chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 5d ago

This is a big deal for me and, as I've said a thousand times on here, I think the doomer-narrative of nothing being a win bc Trump and his people lie and cheat is dangerous. They lose. A lot. And rightfully so because they're doing illegal things. And taking those wins is important for democracy.

Nate B@warpedhorizon.bsky.social · 5d ago

In exciting Midwest passenger rail news, starting today Amtrak's Borealis now runs with 4 Superliner coaches instead of 3, adding 75 more seats. Dash 8-32BWH #518 is on the rear of the first 4 car run, passing Imniza Ska slightly behind schedule.

A passenger train lit by the sunset. At the head is GE P42DC #54, behind it are 4 silver bilevel passenger cars, each with a red, white, and blue stripe. At the rear is a strange angular locomotive, a GE Dash 8-32BHW. Behind the train a steep wooded hillside rises, and above it are patchy clouds lit by last light.
Taniel@taniel.bsky.social · 6d ago

If you're in these states, *TODAY* is deadline to register to vote. Arizona, Arkansas Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas. Even if you think you've registered: doesn't hurt to check! And there's a lot happening across them. A thread with stakes on each. ⬇️

Nate B@warpedhorizon.bsky.social · 2w ago

Transporting iron ore long distances by rail is uncommon, but not unheard of. Moving it by water is more efficient, of course, but many successful steel mills have been built inland. This 1993 BN ore train is bound for Granite City Works near St Louis, which opened in 1895 and still operates today.

Three green Burlington Northern locomotives lead a long train of red ore cars on a crisp January day. At the front are a pair of EMD SD60Ms, with their angular cabs and unique 3 front windows. Behind them is an SD40-2. They're in the Mississippi River valley near Savanna Illinois, with the high bluffs rising around them. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/881686
Nate B@warpedhorizon.bsky.social · 2w ago

Just saw something I did not expect to see in the Twin Cities metro- a Cybercab! It had a human behind the wheels and was wearing Texas Manufacturer plates. It caught up to me while I was headed north on Hwy 100, crossed the river on 694, then exited at East River Road. Official testing?

Nate B@warpedhorizon.bsky.social · 4w ago

I think it's fair to call Montevideo the middle of rural western Minnesota. It's about equidistant from I-90, I-94, and I-29; and surrounded by agriculture on all sides. As of 9/15/2026 diesel is $6.24 there.

GasBuddy screenshot of diesel prices. At Casey's it's $6.29, at the two Cenex stations it's $6.24.
Nate B@warpedhorizon.bsky.social · last mo.

I'm getting impatient with eBay, might as well try here. I'm looking to buy a Broadway Limited California Zephyr dome observation in Amtrak phase I, but I can decal a CZ version. I'll entertain any reasonable price below the $290 some people think they're with on eBay.

An HO scale model of a dome observation car. The glass dome sticks above the roof z and the end of the car is rounded. It's silver with red, white, and blue Amtrak stripes.
Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson.bsky.social · last mo.

Following up this post with shots from another roll, taken 21 years ago and not developed until this month. The Kodak TMax 100 shows amazingly little degradation even after two decades in a cardboard box. More details in the alt text.

Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. Photo taken in 2005 shortly after the arches were fitted with lighting. Camera was a Rolleiflex TLR on a tripod fired with a cable release.Night shot of pedestrians and cyclists on the deck of the Stone Arch Bridge. The camera was fixed to a tripod on a slow shutter setting, perhaps 1-2 seconds. The two blurry figures in the foreground are cyclists who happened to ride into the shot during the exposure.Another view of the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. This time the Guthrie Theater can be seen through the arch on the right. Photo taken in 2005 shortly after the arches were fitted with lighting. Camera was a Rolleiflex TLR on a tripod fired with a cable release.
Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I dug up six rolls of 120 film in various boxes I was clearing out and thought I'd send them to @thedarkroomlab.bsky.social to see what was on them. The oldest was this roll of Ilford 100, that is at least 25 years old. It's the Milwaukee Road train shed before renovation. 1/2

A photographer sticks his camera between the grate to grab a shot.