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This is one of my favorite images I’ve ever captured of an old steam locomotive. The picture shows Northern Nevada No. 93 pulling a wrecking train through Tunnel No. 1 near Ely, Nevada.

I love chasing and photographing old steam trains. I’m not entirely sure why I’m drawn to them. Is it the thrill of the chase, the challenge of photographing a fast-moving subject, or simply the opportunity to test my photography skills?

Life can sometimes feel like chasing trains—full of nostalgia, pursuit, and fleeting moments. The chase is often fast and chaotic, demanding that we treasure the moment before it slips away. Chasing old steam trains is a powerful sensory experience that is over almost as quickly as it begins.

Just like life, there are mountaintops and valleys. Chasing old steam trains also means embracing imperfections. Steam trains are noisy, smoky, and occasionally unreliable, just as life is filled with delays, sidetracks, and jolts—yet it is still beautiful. Both life and old steam trains require continual maintenance.

The Bible describes chasing earthly things as “chasing after the wind” or “vanity.” The clearest examples are found in the book of Ecclesiastes, where King Solomon reflects on the futility of seeking lasting fulfillment through wealth, status, or pleasure.

Instead, Jesus calls us to pursue something far greater. In Matthew 6:33, He teaches us to seek first the Kingdom of God, reminding us to focus on eternal things rather than temporary pursuits. The things of this world will eventually pass away, but the treasures we invest in God’s Kingdom will last forever.

Copyright © 2026 by Linda Hoggard Henderson @ https://www.facebook.com/linda.henderson2   No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.