Although it is impossible to go back in time, model railroad photographer K. Jeb Kriigel is recreating scenes from the golden age of railroading - one image at a time. By using creative techniques with lighting, smoke, steam, and fog, his photographs recapture the romance of the rails. Alvin F. Staufer, railroad historian, author, and fellow TCA member wrote: “Sometimes a photographer has the ability to impart a “special” mood that somehow takes the viewer back in time- back to a world he never knew.”

Kriigel works with his camera to create that “special” mood in each of his photographs. He works in all scales from N to G, but his favorite scale is O scale. Incorporating hand-weathered and detailed 2-rail track for added realism and authenticity, Jeb passionately works to build a scene. When he has added just the right amount of details, scenery, and structures, the trains are placed in the scene where they will look the most real. Then he works with the lighting to create that special look he prefers. As an artist, all of his images are unretouched. Kriigel explains, “We decided early on that we would make this a creative art form and chose to use conventional 35mm cameras and film. We choose not to retouch or correct our photos. The image portrayed is exactly what the camera saw at the time of the exposure.” As a result, he may make several exposures until he gets it right…until he is satisfied with the image.

Get Real Productions is the company that Jeb and his wife Nancy formed to market their custom photography. Their limited signed and numbered prints are available framed and unframed. Over 60 images are currently available. Customers can choose prints, custom imprinted greeting cards, post cards, and even calendars. Custom model railroad photography is Kriigel’s passion. They work with individuals and manufacturers. (You may have noticed some of their work on recent TCA Quarterly covers and a past article on e*Train:
http://www.tcamembers.org/articles/layouts/WEATHERING/index.html)

More and more manufacturers are realizing the market value of placing their actual locomotive in an ultra-realistic scene proving that “a picture is worth a thousand words” holds very true for model train advertising! The Kriigel’s guarantee complete satisfaction and always provide more than the customer asked for. No one has ever been disappointed!

Get Real Productions will be in the new Orange Hall at York this October. They may be reached at (434)-589-2660 or email: kjkriigel@aol.com. A web page is under construction.

K. Jeb and Nancy Kriigel are pleased to present some of their popular images for your enjoyment.

20TH CENTURY GLORY

The NYC operated its steamlined passenger fleet pulled by famous Dreyfuss Hudsons. Here one of those Hudsons pulls the 1938 20th Century Limited across a large lift bridge somewhere near Gary, Indiana. (The challenge here was to capture just the right amount of light and fog to make the scene believable: and to have a superior depth of field!)

BY DAWNS EARLY LIGHT

Here a brawny N&W M Class locomotive pulls its consist past the signal and along the river in this colorful scene. The foreman has arrived for his shift at the shop and waits for the train to pass. It has been a foggy ride for him and he will remember to "cut off" the lights on his truck before going to work. (Buildings, scenery, and signal were created just for this scene. Mrs. Kriigel loaned her dressing mirror with added touches of river scum to complete this reflective photo!)

C&O REFLECTIONS

A colorful C&O "Yellowbelly" Hudson crosses a truss bridge in the shadow of a high concrete archbridge. (Custom bridges were made by the photographer just for this photo. Kriigel used a very large mirror and slightly dirtied its finish to capture the reflection.)

Conquering Space and Time

As airplane travel grew in popularity it became a familiar scene to see them flying along the rail lines. Here a modern Pennsy K-4 speeds along while a Ford Tri-motor looms overhead. (The challenge here was suspending the plane with only one wire to minimize it being seen in the photo. Out of 72 exposures this one worked!)

MOUNTAIN AT FORGE

This scene is modeled after the famous grade at Forge, Pennsylvania. A M-1b Mountain climbs the grade after clearing the signal bridge. (The signal bridge was scratch built just for this photograph by the photographer.)

TENAFLY ARRIVAL

A passenger train approaches Tenafly at sunset as the taxis wait in this moody scene from the past. (Model station was on loan from the collection of Reed Artim. Classic cars from the exact era were added to complete this photo.)