This is a guardrail surrounding a crossing gate at the Scott Street grade crossing in San Bruno, shot on a gloomy November afternoon in 2008. It represents a vanishing species. Once upon a time, the SP, like many railroads, built fences and guardrails and handrails out of … rail. And they painted everything with thick, goopy silver paint. These improvisations from the materials at hand are quirkier than today’s more carefully engineered, purpose-built equivalents. No doubt the modern versions are superior in terms of cost and safety, but the old ones have a lot more character. Alas, these are disappearing as Caltrain upgrades its crossings.

Shot with the Nikon D70s and the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom at 70mm, ISO 400, f/10, shutter 1/800 sec. Minor levels adjustment and exposure correction in Aperture.