Illuminations Tour question

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

My SO and I finally managed to get tickets to the Illuminations tour-- in past years we either missed the date they went on sale, or just couldn't make the tour date(s). I am a hobby photographer and would love to try out some night shots on the tour, but can't find two pieces of information to help guide me in what lens(es) to bring and whether it'll be possible. Hope you guys can help!

1) Are the trolleys the kind that are basically outdoor seating, where everyone kind of sits facing outward (aka like one of the old SF cable cars)? Or are they the kinds that are really just buses with trolley-like exteriors and everyone is inside behind glass?

2) Do the trolleys tend to stop, or at least realllly slow down, at the houses? Or do they more or less just cruise by at a decent clip?

Thanks!

Comments

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

The trolleys are more like buses. People face forward. You can shoot through the glass if you get a window seat, but the windows tend to fog up. The trolleys slow down at each house, but in my experience few come to a complete stop, or if they do, it is very brief.

If you see a house that you really want a photo of, you might be better off remembering the address, and returning later on your own.

Hope this helps!

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

Covers everything. Thanks!!

[ron_newman]

If your ticket is for one of the later trolleys, you may want to precede it by taking the Illuminations Bike Tour first. We assemble in front of Somerville High School at 5:50 pm and ride for about an hour, hitting some of the same highlights as the trolley tours. It would be ideal for your photographic purposes.

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

It was like a bus. Or you know those tourist trolleys that run through Boston? This kind: http://www.boston-tourism-made-easy.com/boston-trolley-tour.html

Heh. On ours, I fondly remember the mayor and his family singing "Dominick the Donkey" on our trolley. It was a total hoot. They gave out candy canes too.

I had no idea this song even existed. But apparently it was huge in Italian-American circles.

I have some memory of us slowing down a bit, stopping at some locations. But you know what would be fun--a special photographers' bus. We should request that in the future. I bet the Arts Council folks would be open to that. In fact, I'll try to remember to mention this to Greg soon.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

still huge! amazing song!