Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 17: October 11, 2004

[Anonymous]

THE CHICAGO SKYLINE, NOTWITHSTANDING, I AM COMPELLED TO VOTE FOR MIKE'S PHOTO AS IT HAS THE IMPRESSION OF MOVEMENT AND DIRECTION WHICH IS WHAT RAIL TRANSPORTATION IS REALLY ALL ABOUT.

[PRRK4s1361]

I had to look at each photo a couple of times. Even though Mike's photo shows some good action, I had to go with Erik's photo. The first time I saw it immediately I started to think of the Twin Towers of NYC. The skyline seems to have that flavor to me. But still I think many of us feel that the yard environment is the guts of railroading. All trains have to start somewhere. But I do know the 'hurry up and wait' all too well; I spent 6 yrs in Uncle Sam's army; 3 years in what some consider paradise - Hawaii (even managed to observe some of their island rr'ing - was somewhat stupid though as I don't really have any pixs); and 2-1/2 yrs in the 'concrete jungle' of Washington DC around the old days of Potomac Yards and RF&P. I was in the military from 03-1976 to 03-1982. Unfortunately, my other half is not a railfan; so my train watching and chasing is rather limited even to this day. I try to grab some time by myself when I can. I managed to convert my 5-year old grandson though. So sometimes he is a good excuse to go watching.

[Anonymous]

Such a mixture of subjects. The switcher, the Sears Tower and the Metra cars. Your attention is held longer.

[Anonymous]

This may be too "artsey," but the contrast of colors and the balance between the locomotive and the skyline were compelling enough to have me vote for Erik's work.

[jjlamkin]

Another difficult choice!! Sorry Mike, I had to go with Erik's photo. The color contrasts and the background setting were just too cool to pass up. His photo really gets your attention. Both of you keep up the GREAT work!!

[Anonymous]

I had to go with Erik's photo. The BNSF switcher is at the perfect angle and the Chicago skyline really adds to and enhances the picture. The picture gives you the impression of what what an industrial and railroad giant Chicago is and how great of a city it is. It brings to mind growth and progress. The Metra train on the other track also adds to the business of the picture, conveying that this is a busy yard, as opposed to the switcher just sitting all by it's lonesome with nothing to do. This photo would make a great poster!

[northwesterner]

I have to agree with the above voters for Eric's photo. The sharp contrast between that beautiful skyline and the BNSF switcher is fantastic. And I am in full agreement about the "hurry up and wait" aspect of railroading. Plus, being a local guy, I have seen similar photo ops, but always from the Roosevelt Road or 18th Street viaducts. So I am always looking down. Oh, to be able to shoot from the ground up!

[Anonymous]

Erik got my vote this week simply because I think I saw him take this picture. If I would have known it was Erik I would have said hello. I like Mike's shot too. Looks like a magazine cover to me. Keep up the good work guys. What are your long term storage ideas for all the digital photos everyone is sure to be taking now? I end up with at least 4 times as many digital pictures to store than I would have taken with film. I run into problems with categorizing and storing them all.

[tdanneman]

Mike, I know you'll understand why I had to vote for Erik's photo this time. After all, the switcher Erik photographed is former BN. Not only that, but as you can see in your photo, in the lead is a former Chicago & North Western locomotive. Yet another fine railroad UP squashed! Besides BN and Montana Rail Link, C&NW was probably the railroad I enjoyed shooting the most over the years.

And to add to Erik's comments on our trip to Illinois. Those first couple of trains were photographed at a place called Burke, Ill. That's the first siding east of Savanna on the C&I. Did he mention that the weather has been fantastic around here lately, and we picked the worst day to shoot in about a month and a half? I still enjoyed our time away from the office. And to be fair, I do shoot trains on film in the clouds, but usually not outside the state of Montana :-). In fact, I thought an overhead shot like the one we did at Burke would work since you can crop a good portion of that gray sky out of your photo. I'm all for dramatic skies, but that was no dramatic sky. Lately, I’ve been shooting with a Nikon Coolpix 5700 in the lousy weather, and switching over to my film camera in sunny weather. But I must admit, shooting digital does make shooting more enjoyable overall. Being able to adjust exposures, light balances, etc. on the fly, and seeing the results immediately is great. Hmmm, sounds like a switch to a digital SLR is in my future. Just don't tell Fuji!

[WatchungAve]

I have to go with Erik this week, partly because my computer is showing all these pics with fairly extreme contrast. The full sun shot just works better this way.

[Anonymous]

Eric, without question. Dramatic, well lit, human interest. Only negative is the "tilt" -which could/would be corrected for publication I assume.
Doug

[Anonymous]

Not that I have anything against Chicago, especially Blue Island, but Erik's photo looks like something you would see on the cover of Trains or perhaps a calendar shot. I liked Mike's photo as it shows a railroad in motion. Great job guys!

[bogaziddy]

Both nice photos, but I'll go with Mike's shot. I'd chose a country shot over a city shot any day of the week.

[Anonymous]

I voted for Mike this week. That infinity perspective really draws one in, and the tracks are perfectly straight ... forever!

Eric, you need to watch your composition a little closer. Everything in your photo is leaning to the right! Great color though.

[Anonymous]

Eric's photo hands down. That is a beautiful shot!