The term “benching” was originally used to describe the act of sitting on the side of a railroad track and watching trains pass by. Today, its’ use is a bit more detailed. Benching today means lurking in and around train layups photographing the metal beasts and the art that adorns them.
From hobo monikers to spray-can graffiti legends, benchers revel in the experience of being in the yard and finding art new and old alike. I’m relatively new to the benching game, having spent much of the last year in the layups available to me in the East Bay and San Francisco, but I love it something fierce.
Here are a few shots from a recent trip to the yards.
Pro-tip #1: there is ALWAYS a hole in the fence. You just gotta find it.
Benchers benching benchers
Coaltrain
Colossus of Roads
Much, Bobkat, Keys
Down the line
Kodak moment
Bad, bad, Leroy Drown
Deuce 7
Typical bencher
A day in the yards is as peaceful an activity as I can imagine. I’m sure it’s not for everyone and there’s much for me to learn re: proper trackside etiquette but I can’t imagine anything else that I’d enjoy learning like I will that.
TAGS: hasselblad 500 c/m • Olympus XA