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Did you notice a peculiar locomotive today? Wondering WTF was up with a locomotive painted with the name of our 41st president? As a railfan and a photographer, I’m always on the looking to point my camera in the direction of interesting railroad subjects. While out and about yesterday morning I heard through the grapevine that this locomotive was in town and if I got on the road, I might be able to catch it for a photo before it headed south.

This is Union Pacific locomotive 4141, painted in 2005 into a special color scheme (inspired by the colors of Air Force One) for the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. It’s one of a kind, and it’s a rare catch in this part of the country since this unit is typically in service in the southern part of the country.

No, our rails haven’t been taken over by ex-presidents. Despite the fact that the elder George Bush wasn’t a big fan of Portland, I found this to be a refreshing treat from the usual motive power seen on northwest rails. I shot this photo at Willsburg Junction, between Brooklyn and Milwaukie.

As much fun it is to watch the Oregon election returns from all of you in Portlanbamaville and the rest of the state with your 87 ballot measures and such, I feel I should pass along a few election tidbits from north of the Columbia River.

Washington is electing a governor, with incumbent Chris(tine) Gregoire in a rematch with Dino Rossi, whom she defeated by only 129 votes in 2004. This year’s results are currently have less than a 1% difference, with Gregoire ahead at the moment. I foresee legal battles.

We had three statewide ballot measures, the most controversial probably being I-1000 (pro, con) which would legalize physician-assisted suicide which appears to be passing in early returns.

Hillary Clinton beat Barack Obama in Clark County’s primary, and on the Republican ticket John McCain garnered the most votes although Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee were well represented. Overall, in the February primary, Clark County voted Democrat for president with a 52-to-47 percent split. As we look at the results from this evening’s election, first returns have Obama over McCain in Clark County 53-to-45.

My vote? My presidential candidate currently has 0.37% of the vote in Washington. Wasn’t a fan of either of the big players, obviously

(I may update this post if something interesting occurs)

I shot this photo five months ago, processing it with a dark theme and noting at the time that the Vancouver-based Columbian newspaper was laying off staff as a cost-containment measure. Perhaps someone can explain why the newspaper built a brand-new 30 million dollar office building in the midst of a slowing economy and drastic industry cutbacks. That building is now being vacated, with the Columbian announcing today that it is moving all operations back to its previous offices and that it will (probably) seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

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As I wander the city, occasionally I pass by something without understanding.

My afternoon commute usually involves a walk along Northeast Holladay street towards the 7th Avenue MAX station. I’ve walked past this location probably a couple hundred times, and now I wonder what’s up with this circular concrete structure as seen in the photo.

It’s a circular concrete object, placed in the middle of the intersection of Northeast 7th and Holladay. Perhaps it’s a traffic calming device? Seems to be more of a traffic confusing device. Left turns are permitted, so in order to make a turn one must veer around this object.

My favorite theory: this area is actually part of a miniature golf course for the gods, and this is but one obstacle (Insert Mt. Tabor / volcano joke here).

Portland’s thriving tech scene features several unconference-style events catering to a variety of interests. The latest adventure is set to occur October 17-19 as WhereCampPDX sets forth on geographical journey.

WhereCamp is an unconference event focusing on location-based knowledge and activities. From the website:

WhereCampPDX is a free unconference focusing on all things geographical. This informal meeting of minds welcomes all geo-locative enthusiasts, anyone who asks “where am I” or feels the need to “know their place”.

Like maps? GPS? Location based tech? Be there.

Even if you’re not particularly interested in WhereCamp, you need to go check out their website. Local developer/designer Reid Beels (@reidab) has created a work of art with a beautiful website theme.