"Oh, Romeo. How can you be Romeo?" In Shakespeare's renowned tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet bemoans the obstacles separating her from Romeo, pouring out her heart in distress.

In the realm of love engineering, it is believed that barriers facilitate the ignition of romantic feelings and contribute to the attainment of love. In this feature, we bring together three "railway maintenance truck photographers" – Mr. Peacock, Mr. Owl, and Mr. Unicorn (pseudonyms) – individuals who have triumphed over diverse barriers, showcasing unwavering passion for their craft.

Thank you for being here today.

I would like to begin by inquiring about my primary areas at the moment.

-- "I'm a little embarrassed by such a compliment. I don't think he was talking about me.

When contemplating the concept of functional beauty, the "beauty of use" associated with Sori Yanagi, the distinguished Japanese industrial designer, comes to mind. I'm delighted that you share a similar appreciation, particularly in the context of the tamping machine and other machines. Mr. Unicorn manages a database site specifically devoted to track maintenance machines. What inspired the creation of this site?

Unicorn: My interest in track maintenance machinery led me to conduct research on the Internet, but the detailed information I sought was elusive. Faced with these limitations, I embarked on independent research. During this time, I connected with like-minded individuals across Japan who shared a passion for line maintenance machinery. Motivated by a desire to compile a databank of valuable images contributed by enthusiasts, the idea for the site was born.

- The site now boasts an impressive collection of over 3,000 vehicles. While information from the past is gradually fading, thanks to Unicorn, valuable materials are safeguarded. It's a commendable effort and truly wonderful.

Unicorn: I believe one of the captivating aspects of track maintenance machines lies in the varied ways different individuals can derive enjoyment from them. Certainly, witnessing these machines in action at night is undeniably cool. However, the allure persists even during the "day." In daylight, you can relish your journey and observe the rail maintenance machines.

The excitement begins in the trip preparation phase. Initially, I meticulously review the entire route on Google Maps, marking as "favorites" those locations featuring sidetracks where the desired track maintenance machines may be visible. These sidetracks often resemble bases, offering the potential discovery of machines like the tamping machine

It's equally rewarding to confirm your assumptions gradually while aboard the train. "Oh, I knew it was here! Can't contain my excitement."

I adhere to the practice of formulating hypotheses based on the researched information and then acting upon those hypotheses. Unforeseen encounters and the joy of stumbling upon a vehicle after diligent research are truly exceptional.

Owl: If you are going on an expedition, how much useful information can you get in advance to limit the risk of striking out? is key. Each route has its own experts, and we sometimes get live information from them.

For example, "If the light in front of the base at base A is lit, there is a high possibility that a maintenance vehicle will depart from that base that night," or "Work near B is easy to photograph from the C position. You can get valuable information that only locals can understand.

--I had no idea that there could be distinct enjoyment in "day" versus "night." It truly unveils a profound world. While I typically associate photography with the allure of the "nighttime," discovering the unique pleasures of "daytime" is an enlightening experience. What's the key to a successful "daytime" shoot?

Peacock: "Daytime" shooting offers the ideal opportunity to capture the entire machine beautifully, benefitting from natural light. However, caution is necessary as the actual shooting process can present its own challenges during the "daytime."

Identifying the name of a machine solely based on its appearance can be tricky. Hence, we make a concerted effort to photograph the machine's nameplate whenever possible to ensure accurate documentation. In the "daytime," machines are often housed indoors, adding complexity to capturing the nameplate. Successful photography demands the right camera lens, strategic shooting position, and proficient shooting techniques.

--Mr. Peacock, I understand that you have valuable tips on locating and photographing elusive rail maintenance vehicles. How can one go about encountering a flaw detector?

Peacock: A flaw detector is a specialized vehicle employing ultrasonic waves to inspect rail damage, and due to its speed of 30 km/h or more, it is considered one of the most challenging rail maintenance machines to capture on camera. To successfully photograph it, it's crucial to position oneself at the section it is slated to pass through.

However, pinpointing the exact location to stand by can be tricky, as it's not feasible to predetermine the starting and ending bases for the inspection car.

In such instances, we resort to checking railroad crossings for wet rails. While ensuring utmost safety, as the flaw detector consistently sprays water to examine rail defects, a wet rail indicates that the tester has already traversed that point.

With this information, the photographer proceeds to the estimated location along the route and patiently awaits the flaw detector. This strategic approach significantly enhances the chances of photographing a small, fast, and otherwise elusive rail maintenance vehicle.