Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 46: January 30, 2006

[Anonymous]

Erik's photo is by far the best of the two, Love the snow the fact I could read the number boards. Bergie you are the man this week....

[Anonymous]

Even being a UP railfan I went with Eric's shot of the CN... to me it just shouted COLD!!!! although both shots were outstanding!

[fuzzybroken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN

I liked Erik's IC repaint shot, but I just loved the way the snow was caked up on that snoot nose, that was awesome. Along with that barn, which living on a farm, it got my vote!

Well, I'll quote Zach to start things off, and add a few comments of my own. Blecch! Snow! Too much of the train "disappeared" into the whiteness of Erik's photo, Mike's had the advantage with just one car! But the cloud of snow appeared much further back in Mike's shot too, so that helped with my decision.

I actually kinda disliked both photos for much of the same reasons, and a little of different reasons, but ultimately I had to go with Mike's. Looks like I'm in the minority here though...

[RailRon]

Ouch! For me it was difficult to decide, because in some aspects the two pics are almost identical - perspective, kicking up snow, curve, coldness...

But then Eric got my vote, because the trailing cloud of swirling snow is just a bit more dramatic than in Mikes shot. But both pics are simply great! Brrrr... must have been ***ed cold waiting for the train to come!

Ron

[88gta350]

I voted for Mike's photo. I thought the angle was more unique. It almost looked 3D, the nose really sticks out of the photo. To me, Eric's photo is just too generic.

[gemotor]

Once again, I don't vote for either photo. Both are just plain trackside wedgies, with flying snow. The color balance on the UP shot is way too blue, a contribution of a cold winter day with some moisture in the air and 3/4 backlighting. Now if one asks for art, both the photo of Soo unit with the bright ditch lights and the Amtrak shot are my cup of tea. Especially the Soo shot. Mood is excellent. I wondered about the composition for a bit and decided that I really like "railroad" shots rather than "train" shots. The Soo shot was full of the excitement and anticipation of that train roaring by and, yes, throwing snow. Same for the Amtrak shot, but it doesn't have quite such a deep mood. Composition, with the train splitting the signals is excellent. The train is far enough back to create a great railroad scene that makes me wish I had been there. I'd have a tough time deciding between the Soo and the Amtrak, but for now the Soo gets it. The photos chosen for the vote don't even come close. Thanks for showing us the good stuff, guys, and please keep it up.

[Anonymous]

Minority or not, I think Mike has the better photograph. Once again, I like several of the "Shots not entered" better than either one!

[PRRK4s1361]

Even though I am a fan of kicking up a blizzard during the passing the angle just doesn't really do it for me. I really liked Mike's for the open area and the barn adds a nice touch - giving it a real country feeling (cold feeling). C'mon Mike believe...you can regroup. Wish all well.

[JoeKoh]

i voted for bergies shot however if mike entered the shot with the cn and up combo near the marsh i would have voted for mike.nice shots.
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

Two great photos this week. I voted for Mike's photo because his rural scene seemed to capture the cold bite of a January morning in Wisconsin just a little stronger. No doubt, Mike's warm hat was a necessary tool in freezing this moment in time. Great job on both photos though.

[Home erfline rr]

The shot of the CN engine with snow on its plow, and hood, plus the bumps of snow on the hood, make the engine lok like it had to work its way through some snow drifts.

The UP engine does not look it was pushing snow as much.

I went for Eric's picture.

[Anonymous]

As a CP train reporter, I should be offended that the CP shot wasn't in the running this week..HAHAHA... don't be trimming those branches...Ricky don't like that!

I voted for Eriks photo...I was wondering if you had it on a tripod or handheld the camera? It seems to have more movement and alot better composition than Mike's. However, I see that the camera angle tilts the train more than the track does. I like the fact the signal tower on the right is visible, but I don't like that the whole image is rotated about 10 degrees (mayber even less) to the left, appearing that the engines are on a steeper curve than they are!

Mike - your photo is very good, but no background to pu***he train image to me...

(I'm also a video/photog for 35 years)

[Anonymous]

Erik got my vote. The locomotive was bold, beautiful, and well defined. I think the composition was better, and the lighting appeared favorable. But what do I know? I'm a painter! [:p] Anyways, the UP was a nice try. I'm not fond of those wonderful snoot nozes, but that honestly didn't factor in to my vote. The CN was better composed, better defined, and an all around superior shot. The UP shot is a valiant effort, but the CN one is just better.

Love & Friendship & Blessed Be!
Lynn Erika Kilroy

[Anonymous]

Wow! You guys sure picked similar pictures for today! By the way, I must say that all of the pictures presented in this week's installment were absolutely top-notch (or since we're railfans, should I say "notch 8"?)! Anyway, I chose to go with Erik's photo. The train seems to be a a better angle, there's more snow being blown up, giving a better impression of speed and the trees in the background and the signal shining green make it a more interesting shot.

[edtrain]

I agree with gemotor.

"The Soo shot was full of the excitement and anticipation of that train roaring by and, yes, throwing snow."

I love the atmosphere and the ambience of the photo. I feel the cold and the snow. The SOO unit cutting its way through the snow shower is just great.

I would have voted for this one without hesitation.

Ed