The light makes a heavy difference
At this time of the year, the square outside the Slussen Metro station is a rather boring place, often far from the movement and meetings during the summers. Instead, people seem to rush to or from the buses or the metro on their way to work, home or shopping. The cold winds from the sea seem to rule here – or…?
Self-contradicting is sometimes a piece of cake. All I had to do was to wait a couple of hours and go back there later in the afternoon. It is almost dark, but the stands have electricity and lights to keep the dusk away. It’s the same place, but it looks very different now and people seem to meet and stop there as usual.
The blue hour seems to bring a new dimension to the square and the atmosphere is suddenly cosy. Light is important to us, especially when being a photographer.
Travelling by time machine?
Railcar X4p No 37 built in 1938 in Hägernäs
I had Sunday off but was asked if I could drive a chartered vintage train. A non-profit society keep a couple of railcars and other rolling stock from the past. From the past by the way? They were in regular service until the early 90’s – I worked, in other words, on a very antique commuter railway. Why not spend a couple of hours doing that? It’s fun, so I accepted it instantly.
Interior from the driver's cab
Because I took it out of the shed, it was not just a matter of doing “pantograph up and go”. It had to be pre-serviced too. This means that I do a functionality check to see that all important parts, like brakes, suspension, dead man’s device etc are ok and work as they should. I also check that lights are ok and that there are spare fuses etc aboard before we go.
The passengers came and, judging from what I heard through the door, they all had a good time and looked happy when they left the train. Getting this effect from a couple of hours voluntary work isn’t a bad thing.
Staffan's English Blog 