Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 29: April 18, 2005

[CopCarSS]

Mike, you got my vote because of the feel of the shot. It was kind of like Week 27 for me. While Erik's shot was good, it kind of had no sense of "place" again, to me. The "Saukville" sign added a lot to Mike's shot. Actually, I would have liked to see you pan right just a little, Mike. You would have lost some of the distractions to the left of the frame, and wouldn't have cut the off the "Saukville" sign on the edge of the frame. Either way, great shots guys. Keep it up.

Chris
Denver, CO

[wcnut]

Mike got it this week. The low view point really throws that E's nose in your face. It gives me a great sense of size and power. Also, enough elements to give you the small town branch line feel. Although another tough choice, Eriks surreal light and simple landscape really puts the spotlight on the train. Great job to the both of you.

Greg
"wcnut"

[Anonymous]

ERIK, FIRST OF ALL, "SHINY" IS A ONE "N" WORD.
SECONDLY, YOU PHOTO IS WELL NIGH PERFECT!

[walthuston]

It's Mike's photo for me. I like the "Charging right at you" look of this photo much better than the "Where is the sky" UP (usually parked) business shot.

Walt

[rlr8864]

I had to pick Erik's because I had seen this train heading westbound out of Dekalb, IL a couple of weeks ago and didn't have a camera. I had never seen one before. So glad Erik was there to capture it. Thanks!

[kolechovski]

The business train was a nice rarity, but Mike's was even more. Combined with a decent angle and a more natural-looking shot, his got my vote. Both are nice.

[Anonymous]

whats a up buisness train used for-the CEOs?

[Anonymous]

Mike's photo gets my vote, but the nose art on the lead W&S E unit is strictly amateurish. That goose looks more like it's sinking into the letters than rising from them. All the angles look forced. Crude city, me dudes. The maroon and silver stripes could curve more gracefully when they get to the nose of the locomotive. In fact, what they need is a transition spiral like the railroads use to ease a train from a straight to a curve. The UP may be the 800-pound gorilla in our midst, but their graphics are far more professional-looking. To be fair, the W&S color scheme of wine and silver has a certain dash. They could use those Sexy E's to haul a dinner train!

[Anonymous]

I really like the pic by Mike with the UP Business train, really neat indeed. I can't wait to see waht comes up next month. I'd really like to see the new BNSF schem, please please get a pic for me.
Roger

[Anonymous]

The UP one looks oldschool!!!

[Anonymous]

Both pictures were very good, each one a winner in its own way. So I had to flip a coin for the winner and Mike won this one.

[jimitimi]

Gotta go with Mike. Returning service to an almost abaondoned line deserves my vote, even though the WSOR web site picture was a better angle!

[ValorStorm]

This may be the first time I voted for Erik's photo. Not just another "wedgy." Plus, I always vote for a photo, not for or against a railroad.

[Anonymous]

Eric's shot is the kind I wish I could take more often; the setting is perfect.
While Mike had background to contend with (who doesn't nowadays) it was
the E8's and the trainman's wave that got my vote. Very subjective stuff!
Bob

[locojacket]

E-units are great, but what's to become of 2719, howz about 1003. They run real good on welded rail!