Parallel Tracks: Steinheimer, Silicon Valley, and Steel Rails

Hosted by the Center for Railroad Photography & Art as a part of our free monthly online programming series. Learn more: railphoto-art....
Join Ken Rehor and Elrond Lawrence for a special program that examines the untold story of Richard Steinheimer and his professional photography. While his groundbreaking approach to railroad photography influenced generations of railfans and artists, what is less well-known is Steinheimer’s prolific professional career.
His railfan and professional photographic experiences heavily influenced one another throughout his life. As a teenager, Steinheimer’s train-watching led him to train photography, which in turn led him to photojournalism school. Stein’s initial career as a newspaper photojournalist inspired him to capture the human side of railroading. His transition into the nascent world of high-tech corporate photography opened a new universe of creativity. He not only photographed the emerging science of semiconductors but also invented many new photographic techniques and equipment. While he was documenting the formation of Silicon Valley and the birth of microprocessors, he was also capturing the end of a railroad era with articles in Trains magazine and his seminal book, “Backwoods Railroads of the West.”
In the third phase of his career, Stein merged his lifelong experiences in photography and trains to focus on the commercial side of railroading, fully embracing color slide film and an adventurous new style that nonetheless remained inherently Steinheimer. Lifelong devotees Rehor and Lawrence explore Stein’s parallel tracks of his passions for railroads and creative photography.
Recorded live on November 14, 2023.
The Center for Railroad Photography & Art is a membership-based organization. Please support our mission today: railphoto-art....

[@LouT1501]

The February, 1966, issue of Trains was the first issue of that magazine that I saw, complete with the Steinheimer photo essay. As a 15 year old life-long railfan, it hit a chord that has never been still. Thank you for rekindling memories!

[@darrylbond5238]

Excellent. Enjoyed each of the tracks here. What a fascinating time.

[@johnuhelski8613]

Outstanding, I never met Dick , but felt like I was along with him on many trips . He was a true shooter and writer !!

[@El4short]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@HunterLohseRRVideos]

This is absolutely fantastic and I think was totally needed, while Steinheimer's photography was all over print for decades, there has always seemed to be a lack of things available in a digitized form, this is just a fraction of his work, and it already feels like huge gaps are being filled!

[@fakecumberland]

Re Cajon cover shots, I would have used the GP30 shot. Magnificent.