Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 48: March 27, 2006

[Bergie]

The latest installment of Trackside with Erik and Mike is now live within the Railroading section on the Trains.com home page. Please read this week's column first then vote for your favorite photo below. Click here to read Trackside with Erik and Mike Vol. 48.

[Anonymous]

Well, they're both good photos but, I think photo #1 is better because it's a brighter day. Photo #2 is a little dark. Also, the headlights are a little overpowering in #2.

I especially like the heavily wooded area in the background of both photos.

[CTGreybeard]

Had to go for #2. There is a train that's working hard. And although you don't see much of it I like the mixed consist better than #1. Couldn't tell you why though ...

[LVJJJ]

another tuff choice, but I like old EMD's, blue sky and brite colors. Larry in Blaine.

(hey webmaster or Moderator, I was going to edit my profile but I can't remember what password I used, any way to find out)?

[bowlingtraindude]

While we're discussing the photo content....

On unit 3050 (photo #1): What is the 'pipe thing' (I'm using technical terms here) above the ditch light? I've seen these before but never knew what their purpose was, figured it was time to ask.

[Anonymous]

I had to go with #1.. it seemed more "in your face" so to speak. not sure what it was about 2 that made me go the other way other than what I said.. I did like the low angle on the shot though. again, both are good shots.. but to me #1 was somehow better.

[Anonymous]

I couldn't choose both were pretty good.

[trainboyH16-44]

I think that composition-wise, photo two is better, but it just didn't have the right lighting/exposure, whereas photo 1 has all the right colours and lighting.

[bowlingtraindude]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainboyH16-44

QUOTE: Originally posted by bowlingtraindude

While we're discussing the photo content....

On unit 3050 (photo #1): What is the 'pipe thing' (I'm using technical terms here) above the ditch light? I've seen these before but never knew what their purpose was, figured it was time to ask.

I believe that you are talking about the cut lever? Couplers are not automatic in uncoupling, so they have to open the knuckle on one of the cars, and pulling this up acheives that. (It is down on some other models, it depends)(Now the best explaination, I know)

Nope...go higher...on the handrail stantion...it's at a bit of an angle....

[mandelswamp]

Glad to have Trackside with Erik and Mike back! I have to agree with the comments made by dingoix. Both are very nice photos but the blue sky in photo 1 just made me like it slightly more. So photo 1 got my vote.

[Anonymous]

Number 2 for me, I like the head on shots of engines pulling the load

[Anonymous]

i DIDN'T VOTE FOR EITHER PICTURE. THERE IS NOTHING UNIQUE ABOUT EITHER ONE OF THEM. YOU HAVE A BURLINGTON NORTHERN GOING SOUTHEAST AND A CP GOING SOUTHWEST. MAYBE ITS TIME TO END YOUR (AS MIKE CALLED IT) SILLY COMPETITION.YOU'LL HAVE VOTES FROM THE BN LOVERS AND VOTES FROM THE CP AFFICIANADOS. AND OH, ALL THE VOTERS WHO LIKE BLUE SKIES. WHY DON'T YOU DO WHAT YOU'RE GOOD AT AND EXPAND ON THAT. TAKE MORE PICTURES AND THEN TEACH THE READERS TO BE ABLE TO DO THE SAME THING.

[Texas Zepher]

Technically they are both excellent. But it is a no contest for me. While I like the blue sky, the older locomotive, and its paint scheme, the wide angle "big nose dog" look of the first shot ruins it for me.

In the second shot I like the train on the curve so it isn't a wegdie shot. I like the overpowering headlamps, just like in real life. I like the exhaust bluring the trees behind it. But mostly I really like the reflection of those headlamps on the rails.

[zardoz]

I liked the dazzling color of photo #1, but the wires were a turn-off. Photo #2 was a bit tame in omparrison, but I liked the composition.

Actually my favorite was Erik's photo of the stack train with the 9008 leading. That to me was a real winner, even though there were overhead wires (the exhaust plume obscuring a portion of the wires enhanced the overall image of speed and power).

In addition, the way the front of the train is illuminated by the sun, as well as the front of the containers, while at the same time contrasting with the shadows on the rails, really made for an interesting image; probably one of the finer shots I've seen taken on the "wrong" side of the tracks. The pole in front of the unit plus the signal and the switch helped frame the image.

[Anonymous]

Liked the "green" train...see too much red trains around Edmonton.