12 CLASSIC TRAINS FALL 2019Mileposts Commentary by Kevin P. Keefe
I was pleased a few weeks ago when
Editor Rob McGonigal gave me a copy
of the lineup for this issue. There, marked
for pages 64–71, was a photo story about
the Pacific Northwest, featuring a pho-
tographer who’s probably unfamiliar to
most readers: John F. Bjorklund.
I was delighted not only because
Bjorklund (who died too soon in 2005 at
age 65) was a terrific photographer, but
also because he was a terrific guy, the kind
you want to have along when friends are
heading out for a weekend of shooting
trains. I had no trouble confirming that
with several photographers who were
happy to have John as a fellow traveler.
Bjorklund was never a householdname. He wasn’t widely published in the
rail enthusiast press. He was well known in
certain railfan slide-show circles, however.
I’ve known a lot of photographers like
John — highly skilled, comprehensive in
their work, but usually under the radar.
That’s probably why it was a surprise
when the Center for Railroad Photogra-
phy & Art was presented with the oppor-
tunity to accept his archives in 2011. The
more the Center’s team looked into John’s
work, the more they liked what they saw.
(Full disclosure: I’m currently a member
of the Center’s board of directors.)
“We ended up being glad to take it,”
says the Center’s executive director, Scott
Lothes, author of this issue’s story onBjorklund. “I consider it a prime example
of the color slide film era of railroad pho-
tography. He had a great command of his
film and equipment, and maximized his
opportunities.”
John picked up a lot of good habits on
his many rail safaris, in some cases learn-
ing from the masters. One of my all-time
favorite photographers is Mike Schafer,
longtime editor of Passenger Train Jour-
nal. Mike describes how, in his friendship
with Bjorklund, the mentor became the
apprentice.
“John especially was wanting to learn
photography techniques from me, having
been inspired by my work,” says Schafer.
“Not that I did any hardcore teachingNo longer under the radar
Photographer John Bjorklund finally gets the attention he deserves
A Detroit, Toledo & Ironton piggyback train rolls south under the 1920s-era catenary supports at Allen Park, Mich., in 1981. Photographer
Bjorklund liked to incorporate such elements of classic railroading in his pictures. John F. Bjorklund, Center for Railroad Photography & Art collection