Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 44: December 5, 2005

[rnirella]

Perspective is everything. Photo A for me. It clearly shows not only the huge size difference between the yard workers and the Santa Fe units but also that the unmanned units are idle until these guys get inside and put the units to work. Nice shot.

[Anonymous]

Has to be photo A ---how often do you get twin sisters side by side except at the mother-in -laws house ??
Walt

[PRRK4s1361]

This time I'm going against the grain of my preference...there is something nostalgic about those two road-switchers side-by-side in the yard. And to make it better they are brother & sister (or brother & brother, whichever). I really would normally go with the CP Rail AC4400 due to the angle but something about the other pix I can't put my finger on made me go with A. Happy Holidays everybody (or Merry Christmas for those not so politically correct).

[Anonymous]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT

[Anonymous]

I preferred the composition of B and the way the lights caught the snow flakes.
However I had to vote for A. Having stood on many an overbridge like that, waiting for something out of the ordinary, it was rewarding to see someone catch 2 sequentially-numbered units together....in the same paint scheme yet. For me that captures the moment....oh yeah, and looks cold too.
Bob Sandusky

[brilondon]

Hard to choose this time around. The only thing that I used as a tiebreaker was the colour of the red AC4400 vs. the darker SF locos. Those SF colours I have never been a big fan of.

[lhtalbot]

Had to go with exhibit A.....although B seems to convey the weather theme a little more.
A good smoking ,steam releasing steam engine would be good but they are hard to find these days.
Larry

[route_rock]

Before i forget the 6211 was probably off to the left in that shot we also have the 6212 and 6213 somewhere roaming about the yard ( or maybe elsewhere now havent seen them in a long time) But you guys missed my buddy Ryan off to the top of the pic ( least it looks like Ryan) over by the one lead just look to the right of the blazer coming up the road and youll see the crew there too.

[Anonymous]

I can see for a change I'm not with the majority on my vote.... I was gonna say exhibit A, until I looked closer at "B". The snow in the headlight changed my mind. I also am a sucker for snow. The only distracting thing I can find is the light fixture in the background area that distracts from the headlight. Exhibit A is a very good shot tooo I just wish it had some snow in it.

[mrunyan]

It is a testament to your skills that we get so many tough choices. The snow in the lights and the exhaust as the CP seems to pose for it's closeup, is great. Coming out from under an urban tunnel, a building and teasing us with a hint of stack train, nice.
But a numbered set of venerable old sisters still on the job, priceless. At some point we have to just go with our gut, not critique, and I am a sucker for SF freight bonnet units. So A has my vote.
Thanks guys, a safe and happy holiday season to you and yours.

[fr8train]

Exhibit B is my pick. Snow in the headlights did it for me. Plus, the truck in the top center of Exhibit A was a little distracting for these ol' eyes.

[Anonymous]

I voted for the CP engine in the snow storm ( I'm in the Houston area so it that is a real storm). The yard shot is ok too, particularly the consecutively numbered units. Looks like they may be radio controlled?

[Anonymous]

Yard shot do it for me! Love seeing people and loads on cars.

Believe the CP was Milwaukee Amtrak station also.
Both pictures really great. The CP picture must have been difficult to keep water drops off the lens.

[Anonymous]

It was a tough call, but the CP hits me immediately as winter and cold. I would put it on my wall first!

[Anonymous]

mmmm BNSF.


I had to vote for photo #1 because I loved the higher angle. I also love the old SF colors, as well as the sequential numbers on the numberboards.