Nine photographers, including one Trains magazine reader, submitted images to vol. 159 of Trackside with Trains.com. This round's theme: Descending the grade.
View the selection and vote for your favorite.
-Matt Quandt Online Content Editor Kalmbach Publishing Co.
I didn't see or smell brake shoe smoke, could't hear the whine of dynamic brakes, either. Drew Halverson showed a track but was it going down or coming up? Matt Martin and Tom Nanos showed about the same picture only with a train coming at you or going away. So, I had to go with Matt Van Hattem's 7 train if only because I like to point out that rapid transit, like the NYC subway system, can offer great railroading features including sharp turnouts and short, steep grades. This is only one of many you can find under and over the streets of the Big Apple and makes railfan riding the straps worth while.
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Nine photographers, including one Trains magazine reader???? really now.....
I voted for the reader submission mainly because I know the Cajon Pass and I've seen the trains going through the pass. Those who live in the Muscoy area of San Bernardino know what happens if a train derails coming down the grade. The image doesn't seem to show the downgrade, however.
I had to go with Matt Van Hattem's photo. He shows a part of railroading that is often overlooked. Heavy rail rapid transit systems are every bit as much of a "real railroad" as any class 1-and some of them even hauled freight in days past. What's especially notable about that location is that there is actually a station just inside the tunnel entrance there-Hunterspoint Av, the East River tunnels don't start til the next station closer to the city, Vernon-Jackson-so trains headed for Main St are climbing that grade from a standing start. But, that's the beauty of traction motors on every axle.
There's another line nearby, the BMT Astoria Line, I think it's the N train now, that meets the #7 at Queensboro Plaza, that also boasts a 4% grade. The grade is apparent as you start toward Manhattan, heading downhill past the approach to the 59th Street Bridge and into the tunnel. The other notable feature of this route is that it reaches the lowest point on the NYCTA, 114.5 feet below mean high water, during its crossing under the river.
The yard in the left side of the photo was once a freight yard. I can recall seeing cars from N de M, and Northampton & Bath there, being shoved around by Alco S-2's and RS 3's.
Just a couple of thoughts from a former Queens resident.
I have a curiosity to know how many reader submissions get blown off ?
They were all interesting, and all had compelling reasons to be the choice. So I had to narrow it down. My first criterion was grades that I have experienced in one way or another. That reduced the choices to Cajon and Sand Patch--I've been on Amtrak trains as they tiptoed down both of those. But that's still two winners. So add another criterion: experiencing the grade from the photographer's viewpoint (i.e., getting quality photos at the spot where I might have gotten passable photos if I knew how to shoot a good picture). As it turns out, I've been to Hill 582 (thanks to Chad!). So Forum Pal Brian gets the nod!
Maybe this spring I'll be able to get out there on Sand Patch (though I don't know when--we will make it to Cumberland, though).
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Brian's has a LOT of grade and a LOT of train in the shot -
WOW, I just found out that my shot was chosen for the competition- thanks, Trains staff! And thanks to those who have voted for it thus far, and a big thank you to Chad Thomas as well for getting me out there.
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Reader submission,,,Cajon pass!! Now that's a grade. Let us not forget the runaway train accident off that pass!
The rest weren't grades really, except for the Swiss shot. I liked it, but went for a pass I have been over many times on Amtrak. Even on the desert wind? The What? The desert wind to Vegas, on my honeymoon. Was I married? Oh Yea now I remember! Watched a lot of trains struggle on that stretch of property. Oh and I liked the Cigar band logos on the BNSF locomotives. Now it's just..ho hum on their Logos!
I think the image of Cajon clearly shows the downgrade! Look at the head-end as opposed to the last car. Besides we all know of the gradient of Cajon! Don't we! I think it's called sweating Bee bee's if your an engineer on that hill! Maybe we should have a accidents on Cajon contest!,,,lot's of them!
Per usual, I didn't bother reading the descriptions and went with Matt's shot.
Brian, congrats on being part of the contest!
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
chessiesystem I have a curiosity to know how many reader submissions get blown off ?
Folks —
Based on a couple of the comments, looks like it's time to clarify how this thing works:
We have a regular panel that's invited to contribute every week, including people in the building and people on the outside. Then, we solicit reader submissions, and pick one reader submission each week. We'd love to include more, but the staff time involved precludes us from doing so. We just don't have the resources to have full-fledged participation. To those who submit and haven't been picked, I'm sorry, and I hope you'll continue to do so. But that's how it works.
For those wishing to submit, send your jpeg to trackside@trains.com. Be sure to include a paragraph or two of caption info, camera/exposure info, and your name and hometown. The subject is announced on this forum in advance of the competition each week.
Best
I have really enjoyed this contest, and all of the great pictures that have been featured. Over the past few months I have started entering, and intend to continue doing so in the future. Your response brings one question to my mind. I had thought that you looked at all the reader submissions, and then choose the best for the theme. You answer seems to imply that you do not look at them all, you just choose one out of the pile, so to speak, and then use it.
Just wondering, is it talent, quality, or just plain old luck? Either way, I will keep entering, and keep on enjoying all of the different viewpoints shown in the photos.
Why doesn't the "reader submission" photo get to have the reader's name written under it like the other photos?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Personally, I think it is difficult to show a grade that it really pops out in one's face in a photo. But reading the caption in Jim Wrinn's offering describing just how much of a grade we're seeing in his photo, and then taking a good look at it, shows me it really is a downhill grade in his image. And the photo brings that out. Which describes the theme very well for this group.
Also I'm aware the Swiss do have such heavy grades and made possible to negotiate by the cog mechanism system.
So I must choose Jim's Swiss image. I also like the colors and composition of his photo.
Several others had good down grade images in their photos....and congratulations to Brian Hanel for his success in his entry.
Quentin
DEDieckmann —
I pretty much grab a photo and run it, so it's mainly a matter of luck. Obviously, if a given photo is extremely bad or doesn't follow the rules, I won't pick it. Also, if somebody was the chosen reader last round, I probably won't choose them this round. Otherwise, it's pretty much a grab.
Believe me, we'd like to do more reader submissions, but at this point, staff time is a real constraint. We will continue exploring ways to include you folks more.
Andy Cummings DEDieckmann — I pretty much grab a photo and run it, so it's mainly a matter of luck. Obviously, if a given photo is extremely bad or doesn't follow the rules, I won't pick it. Also, if somebody was the chosen reader last round, I probably won't choose them this round. Otherwise, it's pretty much a grab. Believe me, we'd like to do more reader submissions, but at this point, staff time is a real constraint. We will continue exploring ways to include you folks more.
I don't know why people make such a big big deal out of this, it's like the lottery,,,if you win you win. and obviously they are not going to pick a horrible photo...I do think the person's name should be included under reader submissions though. I mean if they made it that far, you might as well give them a little plug!
I wasn't sure who to vote for this week. However the NY Subway photo seemed pretty impressive with the 4% grade.
I went with Matt Van Hattem's photo of the NYCTA. It's an unusually visible grade for a rapid transit line, CTA also has a few steep grades equipped with speed control signals but most of them are hidden behind buildings and are part underground.
Hi! I just wanted to say thanks to those of you who voted for my subway photo and talked about it here in the forum. I'm really happy to see so many people here with an enthusiasm and appreciation for transit. Your comments and insights are truly appreciated. Thanks again.
Matt Van Hattem
Senior Editor
And I'll add my thank you to those who voted for my shot. It made my day today to find out I'd won, even though there's no prize. I've been in a bit of a rut lately with the camera and train watching in general, and this might break me out of it.
I guess I missed the boat on voting, but I liked Brian's shot !
Congratulations, Brian!
Seems like right now you're in the lead with 21%+.
[Sure is different around here, South of Wichita, we are on Warren Buffet's table-top lay-out!]
blhanel And I'll add my thank you to those who voted for my shot. It made my day today to find out I'd won, even though there's no prize. I've been in a bit of a rut lately with the camera and train watching in general, and this might break me out of it.
Alright, popcorn!
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