Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 38: September 12, 2005

[Anonymous]

UP is bad enough but an open door - - - -yuk!!

[wctransfer]

Mikes. Who gives a rear about SD70M's when UP has about 2 thousand of them! Mikes is better, for two reasons. WC and IC in the pic ( WC's are obviously nicer though) and he has two trains! Eriks is a well taken photo, but not very intriguing locomotives. I obviously voted for mikes.

Alec

[Anonymous]

Had to go with Erik's for all of the reasons listed above: good story, clear shot, the perspective of the autorack, the "luck" of being in the right place at the right time WITH a camera (I know that if a coupler ever broke while I was around, I would have surely forgotten my camera!), and so on.

Kudos to all, I will be interested to see who takes this one!

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by northwesterner

I had to go wirh Erik's photo for two reasons: 1) I love a good story, and this one only took4 photos and a minimum of text to explain, ans 2) this is my old stomping grounds from kidhood. Erik, where you at old Kirk Road taking thos photos?

Yes, Kirk Road is where I took those photos. As an out-of-towner, it was the first at-grade crossing that I could find east of Geneva.

Thanks for voting!

Take care,
Erik

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jellen3

Great pics!!! Great story to go along with Erik's pic, but Mike's head to head meet just seems more interesting. Too bad that Erik's pic didn't include the engine and the broken coupler.......

That would have required two things: tresspassing on the railroad right-of-way (and at least a half-mile walk!) and a lens equivalent to a mortgage payment! [;)]

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Noah Hofrichter


2. Erik's has an aweful lot of track in front of the locomotive. The first thing I noticed in the photo was the ballast and the track, not the locomotive. On Mike's I was imediately drawn to the IC unit, then the second, farther train, and from there to the milepost.

Actually, I have another shot that's closer, but I liked the headlight reflection off the coal hopper.

QUOTE:
3. And a small fact was the subject. Erik's is your run of the mill, every day UP train. Mike's is something that you don't see so often anymore, now with the CN owning the WC and IC.

A conductor performing a visual inspection from the front porch is "run of the mill"? What part of the UP have you been hanging around on? [:D]

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tischler

Eric's story only lacked the picture of the coupling to make it perfect......next time Eric

I thought about sticking around to try to get that, but decided I wouldn't be able to because of my angle (the other cars would have obscured my view). As it was, I was using all 300mm that I had in my bag, and to the best of my knowledge, there wasn't another grade crossing I could have moved to to get closer.

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mandelswamp

Another contest and another tough choice to make. Mike's shot is quite nice but something about Erik's photo seemed better. I think it was the combination of the disabled unit coal train and the passing train of auto carriers plus the shiny UP engine. Am I worong or does the WSOR crewmember in Mike's shot seems more attentive to examining the approaching train than the UP conductor, who appears to be posing for Erik's photo rather than inspecting his train? Once again, you both did an outstanding job but there is something about Erik's that made me pick his shot over Mike's.

Maybe next week I'll show an earlier shot after the conductor first popped out of the door. He had his sunglasses lifted as though he was trying to figure out who I was and what I was doing. I think he was a little uneasy at first.

I can also show how all UP employees are NOT following the new no smoking rules on all UP property. [:D]

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cherokee woman

I like both pictures; but I'm voting for Mike's because he caught both trains in his
shot.

What a second, I got both trains too! Oh, you mean both trains' locomotives. [:o)]

[Anonymous]

Kudo's to both of you. but even though I am one of 4-5 people in the US that actually LIKES UP I had to go with Mike's shot.. I think the darker "brooding" feel of the picture gives it the look of "cmon hurry up we got places to be too" look. I look forward week after week for new installments just to read the backround about the shots and surrounding area. Where I live there is a UP/amtrak (#6 & #5) mainline & BNSF trackage also.. makes for some lively railfanning. Keep up the good work BOTH of you..

[FrankStratton]

Nice reply Bergie and I had to vote for your photo because there is a great story behind it. That is what photos are, great stories. Good hill shot too. Both of you guys come up with some great photos.

I would like to say "Hi" to the three guys with video cameras set up on the BNSF in Toluca, Illinois on Sept. 4th. Two of them were from Wisconsin and one from Illinois. I am sure they got some good video as the tracks are straight and there is a nice rise to the east. I was born and raised over 63 years ago one block south of where they were setup. I had seen a number of east bound steamers pull couplers attempting to get their train going again after a stop in Toluca. They would back them up for slack and then spin the iron to get momentum before picking up all the tonnage behind them. Sometimes a weak coupler would let go and everything would stop in emergency. Those were the days...........diesel makes it so much easier and I am so amazed at the brute display of horsepower from todays locomotives.

[gemperfilm]

I agree completely. Erik why did you pick the shot with the conductor. You had a better shot of the train cresting the hill with no conductor present. I would have voted for that one. Mike, Great Job!

A.J. Gemperline

QUOTE: Originally posted by Noah Hofrichter

I dunno. Everybody keeps saying Erik's is better, but I have a mind to disagree. Mainly for three reasons:

1. Mike's is so well composed. He thought to get the Signal, the Milepost, both trains, and the crew member doing the roll-by, all in one shot.

2. Erik's has an aweful lot of track in front of the locomotive. The first thing I noticed in the photo was the ballast and the track, not the locomotive. On Mike's I was imediately drawn to the IC unit, then the second, farther train, and from there to the milepost.

3. And a small fact was the subject. Erik's is your run of the mill, every day UP train. Mike's is something that you don't see so often anymore, now with the CN owning the WC and IC.

So, after a little debating, I went with Mike's. Sorry Erik, better luck next time.

Noah

[wcnut]

I think everyone who voted for Erik's because of the story needs to reevaluate the rules, however lax they are, for this competition. Had this been a "Best Story Forum", yes, hands down I would have voted for Erik. How many times have we sat by the tracks hour after hour to get 1 train or even no train?! I think we can all raise our hands, but a broken knuckle in action! WOW! I'd pay for that. BUT..... the simple fact that this is a "Best Photo Forum" which brings me to Mike's shot. As a couple members pointed out, Mike's composition is much superior to Erik's. With as many elements as Mike framed, they all work together forming a strong photo. A crewman riding the porch, in a wedgie, eh, I'll pass and listen to the scanner on how they will repair or setout the damaged car! But these are just my humble opinions.

Greg
"wcnut"

[wcnut]

Also... I must stress to anyone not clicking on the photo for the larger view... DO IT! Even if you have dial up, it is worth it. Details become more pronounced and you can really tell if the photo is sharp or not. Listen to Erik & Mike's (or Mike & Erik's) request to click... it could change your voting! :)

"wcnut"

[gannbb1]

Mike got my vote. Although as a photographer I find the signal and mile post distracting, as a rail fan they add demention to the story that is lacking in Eric's excellent shot.