Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 27: March 21, 2005

[Chris Owens]

I really liked Mikes photo, color contrast was great, I am getting tired of all the Santa Fe warbonets on the BNSF new smoking GE engines. I like the new logo! (coming soon) and the first orange and dark green logo with the cross hair target on front.

[RappleNH]

I chose Mike's photo based on the lighting effects. Erik's photo cut off the train too quickly.
Another comment about the MOW crew shimming up the track. If you look carefully at the rail tie-plate you can see how it was bent (beaten - cold worked) down at the rail joint by the weight of the cars and locomotives passing over it!

[Anonymous]

Mike's photo of the UP/CR combo with that late afternoon lighting, the snowy background, the trees in the background still obviously in winter mode, and the fact that the consist is a little different made up for a very good photo. He got my vote!

[Anonymous]

Erik,If you drive that pike to the north,Wickenburg way,you can get some great pix along the river bottom. Oh welcome to BNSF side of Az. Once you catch the War Bonnet in the desert your snake bit.mcjcne

[fish1467]

I liked the way Mike's photo included the landscape.

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alco628

A comment about the MOW crew shimming up the track. This is a common practice when the roadbed is frozen in the winter. You can't tamp the tie up because it is frozen in the ballast so you have to shim it with plywood shims. If the shims are thick you even have to use longer spikes for a good job. After the roadbed has thawed in the spring the shims are removed and the ties are tamped up.

Thank you so much for shedding light on that. I greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again,
Erik

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mcjcne

Erik,If you drive that pike to the north,Wickenburg way,you can get some great pix along the river bottom. Oh welcome to BNSF side of Az. Once you catch the War Bonnet in the desert your snake bit.mcjcne

Now that I have a little experience under my belt, the next time I visit I'm going to plan for more time and do a little better scouting before I go out there.

Thanks!
Erik

[Anonymous]

Excellent shot Erik!! 10+!! Too bad you can't talk Kalmbach into moving to Arizona!! [bow][bow] Ha! Ha! Mike has a good picture as well but that Arizona scenery in Eriks photo shot yours right out of the water!! pathfinder1946

[walthuston]

I picked Erik's photo for what I feel is great composition.

I hope that plywood is at least exterior grade...but would prefer marine grade with all the moisture it will face before it gets replaced.
Walt

[drgw12]

WOW!! Tough desicion. I went with Eric's though. Trains in the desert have always found a nitch with me.

Steven

[Anonymous]

Both photos are excellent. I voted for Mike his shot showing winter trying to hold on but spring coming fast.[8D] Proof the welded railtrain going west so MOW can get a jump on spring.[:)] Erik photo excelent also but something missing[?] [?]

[mikeyuhas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pathfinder1946

Excellent shot Erik!! 10+!! Too bad you can't talk Kalmbach into moving to Arizona!! [bow][bow] Ha! Ha! Mike has a good picture as well but that Arizona scenery in Eriks photo shot yours right out of the water!! pathfinder1946

Arizona scenery? You mean those weeds next to the track? [:D]

[Anonymous]

Both were very fine shots, this time I voted for Erik's as I like power shots and with both of the newer units on the pull it was a good shot.

[RailRon]

A tough decision because this time the motifs are completely different. And both pics are great in their own way (as usual [8D]).

However, finally I voted for Mike. Overall I like the warm colors of the picture, signalling that Spring is finally coming [tup], but then also the UP/Conrail looks very attractive.

BTW, being a Swiss I didn't recognise the train as a ribbonrail transporter. Here in Switzerland welded rails are transported on special flat cars - always a spectacular sight when you see such a train sneaking through the turnouts of a yard throat!

Ron

[Anonymous]

I had to go with Mike's shot. This is one of the best photos I've seen in the competition since it started. Nice lighting, composition, power, etc. You need to visit that spot more often. Erik's shot chops off the train with the frame. I always like to use the natural scenery to cut off the train such as in Mike's photo. The elevation in Mike's shot is also a bonus.