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

[Anonymous]

I voted for #2 - I Like the contrast of dark and light - and the sense of mystery as the train arcs through the woods.

[Anonymous]

I really wanted to vote for #1 (the colours, the light, the older EMD, etc), but it simply didn't move. Picture #2 on the other hand was an assault on the senses. I could feel, hear, the raw power as that train roared past me.

[SrBldr]

It was hard to choose between the two but I decided on Photo 1 because of the angle. I thought it was a bit more different than a lot of the photos by both Erik or Mike
I also borrowed the red train art for use as a desktop I hope that is ok
SrBldr

[ValorStorm]

QUOTE: Originally posted by boshar1

...THERE IS NOTHING UNIQUE ABOUT EITHER ONE OF THEM. YOU HAVE A BURLINGTON NORTHERN GOING SOUTHEAST...YOU'LL HAVE VOTES FROM THE BN LOVERS...

Photo #1 is clearly NOT a Burlington Northern locomotive, altho it may have been originally. Both are good photos. But I chose #1 because it features a locomotive color scheme that most people don't get to see every day. Good work!

[PRRK4s1361]

Welcome back guys...as far as the contest there is no doubt in my mind. Photo #1 is it for me. Reading & Northern - right in my neighborhood (almost); actually maybe a 45 minute drive from my location of Harrisburg PA. I am very infatuated with this line. Unfortunately I get to see it very little - the drawbacks of having a non-railfan spouse. Anyway anything having to do with the east caost area is fine with me. Can you enlighten me as to how this pix got in the contest?

[Anonymous]

Both shots are appealing especially following your absence. I had to look at both of them several times before finally coming to the conclusion that I was drawn more to shot #2. Then I had to define what was drawing me toward it more. I think it is the lean of the locos and the cars on the curve along with the distortion of the scenery through the exhaust plume. It's just a more complex looking shot than the standard wedgie. Nice job to both of you!!! It's good to have you back!!! It gives me something to look forward to during the normal work-week.

[PRRK4s1361]

A PS to my reply above; Reading & Northern SD40-2 3050 Ex-Union Pacific 3550. I have their roster on my hard drive.

[Anonymous]

Had to go with Photo 1. I like the feel of a short line over a class 1 any day.

Oh--and to the author who was throwing the temper-tantrum a few blocks up...the photo is not a Burlington Northern, it is Reading & Northern. I appreciate that everyone has their own opinion, but look at the photos more closely before you judge them. The competition is more than "train pictures", there is more to it than that.

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, before I forget it...WELCOME BACK! I really missed reading your installments over the past month. It just wasn't the same.

[fuzzybroken]

Interesting group of comments with this one... Perhaps someone should stop "shouting" long enough to actually look at the pictures?

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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.

Now that you mentioned it, I think the wires actually kinda add to the photo! The last pair of wires on that pole line still standing after all these years.

I went with #1, personally. It's an unusual subject, being a Pennsylvania shortline/regional railroad, the clouds break up that nice blue sky, and it's yellow and green -- what's not to like? The unusual angle of the photo helps as well.

I like #2, but it is a very moody shot. It looks like it may be a nice sunny day outside of the forest, but the lighting is somewhat haunting in the forest itself. The first car on that train looked interesting, any idea what it was? Unfortunately, pictures of CP AC44s are all too common, it's hard to get a really great picture with as common an engine as a CP AC44...

BTW, Erik, what was that commuter car in the consist of the first Amtrak picture?

[Anonymous]

I went for Photo 2. As much as I like Photo 1, I think Photo 2 is the better shot. In Photo 1, the train could be standing still. In Photo 2, however, the train is coming around the bend, the lights are on and there is exhaust. It's also a much more dramatic shot. Still, both are very nice.

[Anonymous]

Welcome back, y'all! At 1st glance neither photo appealed to me, but blown-up they are both very good. Photo 2 has so much more to say: lighted #boards; exhause plumes, indicating tonnage and roaring diesels echoing in the woods; head and ditch lights, altho bright, do not wash out any details. From the looks of all the pics y'all had a dismal winter!

[Anonymous]

HA! WOW!

I've been in CP 8520!! so my vote goes to it!

[thehoot]

I had to pick #2. It seemed to have more impact for me and I seemed to be drawn to it. Both photos are very good.
Keep up the good work. I'm sure we all enjoy seeing these photos and I am sure they help a few more go out and take photos of trains in their area.

Have a great day [8D]

[LVJJJ]

whoa boshar1!, cool down. This is just a fun place to look at and comment on a subject dear to our hearts, with a little competition (go Erik!) thrown in to satisfy our primal instincts. It's a pleasant diversion from our daily task of saving the world. So, join in and enjoy our collective obession with the most important mode of transportation in the world (where do you think time zones come from?). Larry in Blaine (still trying to remember my password). (PS, the reason blue skies are so important to me is that now that I am back in rainy, wet, cloudy Western Washington, I need blue skies wherever I can find them, and its a bonus if I get to see a train at the same time!).