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

[U.P.5714]

I like #1 ,Don't know why,I think it as do with the brach line up the old FDDMS in Iowa I used To Go on When I worked for the CNW. From U.P.5714

[Anonymous]

I voted for #2.. it just jumped out at me. I tend to be more drawn to photos of trains on a curve, although I do like the upward angle of #1. The contrasting red paint is also an eye-catcher, against the gloomy background. Glad to see the photo competition return!

[Anonymous]

First of all those were some asome pictures. Erik you have a great eye, i voted for the first picture because it is at an angle that creates an image of the train being huge. Thanks for taking great pictures.

[Anonymous]

Both of the photos are good. Each is well composed and covers it's subject matter nicely. The lighting is so-so on Photo #2 but it does aid in giving the shot a certain mood and perhaps this is what the author wanted.
I voted for Photo #1. The angle in which it is taken adds drama to the photo. It conveys a greater sense of power to the locomotive as it looms over the viewer. Someone in an earlier post (Zardoz) mentioned that the power lines detract from the shot but I beg to differ. It adds dimension to the photo, the wires are a bit of minutiae that make up the whole picture of a locomotive and it's environment.

[Anonymous]

I have to say that the green / yellow of the Reading and Northern seems to stand out more to me than the red of CP. The blue sky also adds to the contrasting colors.

Its also good to have this column back. I missed it a great deal...I had to find other websites to spend my time on...Good to have you back, Mike & Erik

[lhtalbot]

Welcome back, you were missed (tho apparently not by all?)
Very difficult decision. The wires don't bother me & I like the "lower than grade" angle.
On # 2 the bright lites don't bother me either. And the "coming up at you" angle is neat. With the compression of the lens, you almost don't notice that there are 2 engines here.
I think I look at these pics as something similar to what I do. These are pictures "on the fly" so to speak. If we were taking calendar pictures, we would have the co-operation of the rr & you could stop the train at an ideal location, wipe down the smudges. pluck annoying weeds, & take your time shooting a lot of angles, looking for that "perfect" shot.
Your pictures are being taken by "railfans", not professional photographers. To expect more than that I think is un-fair. Keep up the good work, I enjoy your pictures & love your comments.
Difficult, but I vote #2.

Larry in Wauwatosa

[Anonymous]

Had to go with the local flavor. The picture of the Reading and Northern EMD got my vote. Great shot

[wweidner]

Both pictures were fine and, like many, I loved seeing the blue sky, but trains do have to pull on "dark" days too. Tough call, but I voted for #2.

[Anonymous]

There both pretty good actually!!

[ReimanTrainfan]

OK this was really difficult. I liked both shots, but voted for #1. It is a different view, a different RR and being that I live in WI something really different SUN!!!! Great Job guys.

[senshi]

#1 just barely eeks past #2.
A very hard decision, both photos are real good.

[PBenham]

I had a hard time deciding which shot to vote for. So finally I voted for the R&N shot. Yes, that SD40-2 is the "dullest member" of the R&N roster,compared to their other units past and present. I liked their Reading-inspired yellow on their U23Bs of a while back, the current green scheme is also Reading inspired, but I have to say that the yellow scheme was the winner with me. The clincher? R&N is an eastern anthracite railroad. I, as anyone that has read my observations and[soapbox] rants [D)](mostly rants!), will tell you,[^]I love the anthracite roads. I belong to the ARHS, Need I say more?[:D] I hope Mike is feeling better. I've been there with pneumonia and it ain't fun. I couldn't have any beer for nearly a week! [B)]

[kicksvette]

Welcome back guys.
I can understand how this midwest weather can get you a bug or two to deal with. But Erik, next time you want to complain about the weather don't gripe about the lack of snow. Fortunately most of that storm stayed north of the cheddar curtain. Instead, how about complaining about the lack of spring warmth so we can finally get some.

As for the voting... I went with #2. Both are wedgie shots but a wedgie on a curve looks better than a wedgie on the straight. Kind of like a bikini on curves looks better than a straight speedo.

[espeefoamer]

I voted for #1. I really liked the low angle that photo was shot from. That photo hit me righ between the eyes. Photo #2 seemed like something I had seen 1000 times before.

[Anonymous]

I truly like Photo one much better. The SD40-2 realy stands out Great in the sun. Not to be very rude,but Cloudy skys and Trains don't mix. Allan.