<strong>Locomotives of the Western United States</strong>: The first American transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869. Many original tracks remain in use -- but since the decline of the American passenger service, they're mostly frequented by freight trains, such as this Union Pacific AC4400CW 6632 train at Moffat Tunnel, Rollinsville, Colorado.
Locomotives of the Western United States: The first American transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869. Many original tracks remain in use -- but since the decline of the American passenger service, they're mostly frequented by freight trains, such as this Union Pacific AC4400CW 6632 train at Moffat Tunnel, Rollinsville, Colorado.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>Montana Rail Link GP9 113, Fork River Bridge, Paradise, Montana</strong>: British photographer Jonathan Lewis has captured stunning shots of railroads across the western United States. These photographs are the subject of a new book "Locomotives of the Western United States," published by Amberley Books.
Montana Rail Link GP9 113, Fork River Bridge, Paradise, Montana: British photographer Jonathan Lewis has captured stunning shots of railroads across the western United States. These photographs are the subject of a new book "Locomotives of the Western United States," published by Amberley Books.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF C44-9W, Hackberry, east of Kingman, Arizona</strong>: Lewis is fascinated by how the history of America's railways correlates with the history of America: "Many towns were founded by railway companies to serve the railway," Lewis tells CNN Travel.
BNSF C44-9W, Hackberry, east of Kingman, Arizona: Lewis is fascinated by how the history of America's railways correlates with the history of America: "Many towns were founded by railway companies to serve the railway," Lewis tells CNN Travel.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF C44-9W, Skykomish, Washington</strong>: The development of a railroad was a way of connecting the towns scattered across America's vast expanse: "Once a railway reached an area it was able to develop its industry -- as it had an efficient means of moving its goods," says Lewis.
BNSF C44-9W, Skykomish, Washington: The development of a railroad was a way of connecting the towns scattered across America's vast expanse: "Once a railway reached an area it was able to develop its industry -- as it had an efficient means of moving its goods," says Lewis.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF C44-9W 4368, Marias Pass in northwest Montana</strong>: Getting the right time of day and location for the photograph is also key. "It is also important to study the route of the railway line on a map -- to know what the most scenic sections of line are," says Lewis. "And what locations are going to have the sun in the perfect position to photograph the train."
BNSF C44-9W 4368, Marias Pass in northwest Montana: Getting the right time of day and location for the photograph is also key. "It is also important to study the route of the railway line on a map -- to know what the most scenic sections of line are," says Lewis. "And what locations are going to have the sun in the perfect position to photograph the train."
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>Union Pacific SD40-2 3246, Utah:</strong> In rural locations, railroads are intertwined with the landscape: "Railways had to be built through deserts and over mountain passes, which were thought to be impossible at the time," explains Lewis.
Union Pacific SD40-2 3246, Utah: In rural locations, railroads are intertwined with the landscape: "Railways had to be built through deserts and over mountain passes, which were thought to be impossible at the time," explains Lewis.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>Amtrak P42 50 and 167, East Glacier Park, Montana</strong>: The railroad might have been the backbone of America in the 19th century -- but passenger trains declined from the 1950s onwards. Amtrak still operates a passenger service, including its Seattle-Chicago route, pictured here.
Amtrak P42 50 and 167, East Glacier Park, Montana: The railroad might have been the backbone of America in the 19th century -- but passenger trains declined from the 1950s onwards. Amtrak still operates a passenger service, including its Seattle-Chicago route, pictured here.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF SD40-2s1683, Marias Pass Summit to East Glacier, Montana</strong>: Railways in America are also notable for still being run by private companies: "They have remained private companies throughout," says Lewis. "Each with their own unique paint scheme and different operating cultures."
BNSF SD40-2s1683, Marias Pass Summit to East Glacier, Montana: Railways in America are also notable for still being run by private companies: "They have remained private companies throughout," says Lewis. "Each with their own unique paint scheme and different operating cultures."
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF ES44DC7419, Browning, Montana</strong>: Lewis has been photographing America's trains for the past 17 years. "A family holiday to Colorado in 2000 was the first time I visited the USA and saw my first American train in Denver," he says.
BNSF ES44DC7419, Browning, Montana: Lewis has been photographing America's trains for the past 17 years. "A family holiday to Colorado in 2000 was the first time I visited the USA and saw my first American train in Denver," he says.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF C44-9W, Horse Thief Lake, Pennington County, South Dakota</strong>: Since then Lewis has photographed trains in spectacular US locations -- but he does extensive research before he goes out with his camera: "Doing research beforehand is important to understand what the railway operations are like," he says.
BNSF C44-9W, Horse Thief Lake, Pennington County, South Dakota: Since then Lewis has photographed trains in spectacular US locations -- but he does extensive research before he goes out with his camera: "Doing research beforehand is important to understand what the railway operations are like," he says.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>Union Pacific 6690 and AC4460CW 7324, Biggs Junction, Oregon</strong>: Lewis takes his images from an elevated viewpoint: "It helps to get scenery in above the train [...] which shows the train snaking through the Western American landscape," he says.
Union Pacific 6690 and AC4460CW 7324, Biggs Junction, Oregon: Lewis takes his images from an elevated viewpoint: "It helps to get scenery in above the train [...] which shows the train snaking through the Western American landscape," he says.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF ES44DC 6955, Winona, Minnesota</strong>: It's this combination of stunning landscape and locomotive detail that makes Lewis' pictures so striking: "I think it is an important aspect of railway photography, where possible, to get the whole train in the photograph," says Lewis.
BNSF ES44DC 6955, Winona, Minnesota: It's this combination of stunning landscape and locomotive detail that makes Lewis' pictures so striking: "I think it is an important aspect of railway photography, where possible, to get the whole train in the photograph," says Lewis.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF ES44AC 6280, Palmer Divide, Larkspur, Colorado</strong>: Lewis' interest in trains is not specific to America, however. "I also do railway photography much closer to home all over the UK, especially in northern England and Scotland, as well as in Canada," he says.
BNSF ES44AC 6280, Palmer Divide, Larkspur, Colorado: Lewis' interest in trains is not specific to America, however. "I also do railway photography much closer to home all over the UK, especially in northern England and Scotland, as well as in Canada," he says.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books
<strong>BNSF C44-9W 4594, crossing Bighorn River at Boysen, Wyoming</strong>: But it is photographing America's railway network that has become a passion for Lewis. "Traveling around America photographing trains takes you to spectacular places one would have little reason to visit, a long way off the normal tourist trail," he says.
BNSF C44-9W 4594, crossing Bighorn River at Boysen, Wyoming: But it is photographing America's railway network that has become a passion for Lewis. "Traveling around America photographing trains takes you to spectacular places one would have little reason to visit, a long way off the normal tourist trail," he says.
Jonathan Lewis/Amberley Books