Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 24: January 31, 2005

[Anonymous]

#2 I like the effect of the train heading up the grade.

[Anonymous]

Okay, I voted for picture number one, because the picture was a lot more clear; but the second shot, also was a better angle. In that one you could see more of the train and its' length, as well as the terrain it was passing over.
Ralph Zimmer [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Both pictures seem to be very good. However, I believe #2 is the better. I liked thestring of cars, the mountains, and the composition, in general. I would have preferred more light on the engine face, but hey......Again both pix were very good. Keep up the good work. Pity you poor people back there in the cold, cold blizzard taking pictures. Brrr....

With my best.

California Al

[Anonymous]

My vote was for #2 for several reasons. It occupied my attention longer than #1 because there was more of a story. The distant semaphore attracts the eye.
The complete train is in the scene so you know what the units are slugging with.
The lay of the line is a story too. I could feel the heat from the exhausts on that cold
winter's day. That was emphasized more by the shimmers being superimposed on
a background of trees rather than the sky. Nice overall effect...for me anyway.

Having said that, you guys both do good work and I enjoy the contest.
Keep it up!

Bob Sandusky

[Anonymous]

I voted for 2, you can see the grade better, there are signals in the background, and it seems slightly less back-lit.

[Anonymous]

I didn't see a lot to choose between the two pics, but selected Photo 1 cuz of its closer focus on the train. Personally I prefer my pic of an Amtrak electric caught running light at D.C. Union Station recently. No heavy electrics out here in California, so that was a treat in the snow as it waited to take over the NYC-bound Silver Meteor (Train 98) from which I had just disembarked.

BTW, the previous week, waiting for the southbound (97) I was at D.C. Union Station on 1-20-05 (inauguration day) in the aftermath of the derailment. What a zoo THAT was! Fortunately as a sleeper passenger I could hang out in "Club Acela," else I woulda been driven nuts.

We only got outta there 45 minutes late (Genesis engine slow to show up for the electric/diesel changeover) ran as much as an hour late, but had made up all but about 5 minutes by arrival in Jacksonville, FL. Hard running made for a wild ride overnight, and who knew there were so many grade crossings in the middle of nowhere in the South? I sure didn't mind - love that horn - just surprised by its frequency during some stretches.

Anyway... Mike and Erik, you guys do a fine job. I'm still learning my Kodak DX 6490.

[lhtalbot]

Both pics similar...exposure slightly different but not enough to sway either way.
So number 2 gets the vote for better composition. The elevation change is interesting
& the trackside objects just make it a better picture.
Good idea to both shoot the same unit this time.....will make some people vote on something other than road name or unit type.
Larry

[Anonymous]

I voted number 2. btw the pic of the Wisconson Southern plowing through the snow is an amazing shot!

[Anonymous]

Well, since I could only choose between the two, I went with no. 2. The photographer made the best of a bad situation. The train was going the wrong direction for a good photograph. It appears the sun was more the to photographers right than to their back. Makes for tough shooting conditions as can been seen here with the locomotive being dark on the nose but the train being well lit. I went with no. 2 becuase of the use of the telephoto that really shows the dip the train is going thru. Too bad the train was not coming from the other direction as the sun would have been EXCELLENT for that picture.

[JLarry]

I wanted to vote for the W&S too...
I voted for # 1 for the clarity. #2 would have made it if itwere clearer ... I also liked the signal and mile marker.
Maybe you should name each week's column by who wins the favorite photo the week before - kinda like a badge of honor.

[LennyFries]

I like the signal marker with the picture along with the rest of the train! It just seems right when every thing is included surrounding the train. Besides I like train pics period. This is my favorite column to read and see locomotives in action!!!

[Anonymous]

I like photo #2 more.

[Anonymous]

They were both good, but #2 got my vote.

[emmar]

I liked photo #2 because it was a sharper image and it included the milepost and the signal. I like the competition better when the photos are taken in differrent places. The photos are better and it is more interesting to look at.

[Anonymous]

This is my first comment in this forum and it is simply to suggest that judging two almost identical shots of the same train seems a little bland.

Surely when judging photos you look at composition, and subject matter for interest not just exposure setting or colour saturation etc.
I know some people felt that a signal or mile post are added points but a different subject matter surely is more pleasing

In all honesty I think you were better when you both submitted photos which you took seperately thereby choosing a subject you thought to be of interest / aesthetic quality and not simply testing the quality / settings of the camera.

Please go back to giving us a variety of shots to look at.
After all an art gallery full of the same painting under slightly different light / angles would not be of interest
Variety is the spice of life !!

Thanks for previous work... fantastic night shots / snow etc