Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 50: April 24, 2006

[walthuston]

The drama of photo one is what got my vote. I like the vibrant color provided by the CP loco.

[krussl]

I appreciated the angle of the shot in #1 - too close for comfort - I know - Telephoto lens, but the effect is so good, you can almost feel the ground vibrating.

[Anonymous]

Man, that new camera toy makes me want one as well. I was totally impressed with the description of what it can do, and I expect great things from Erik...Let's see what that puppy can really do, eh?

As for the pictures, I had to go with photo #1. I'm not really partial to CP, but the vibrant colors totally won me over. Photo #2 just seems a little bit too drab for my liking.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrainPixsNet

I picked photo1 because it added a little spice to the typical "wedgie shot" of photo2 -- granted, photo2 was a good shot.

If I could change anything with photo1, though, would to pan slightly to the left to center the entire train in the shot -- but otherwise a very nice shot!

Nathan Chidester, Webmaster / the TrainPixs Network

I think that if the angle were any different, it would almost ruin the shot. The consist isnt very long--it looks like there's maybe 3 boxcars, and a caboose at the end.

[Anonymous]

Both nice shots I agree about photo 2 it took me there it's kind of cleaner shot I prefeer clasic shots

regards from Mexico City

[kicksvette]

Went with #1. It just has a nice branchline look to it that isn't seen too often on Class 1 lines anymore. There are the rotted ties in the weed grown right of way. The loco is running long hood as if returning from some switching run. And about 4 cars back is an extended vision caboose still in SOO paint. The 'in your face' angle also make a nice diversion from the mainline wedgie shot.

Like most, I first thought SD-45. The I remembered something I'd seen last fall behind the office at the west end of Bensenville yard. I saw flares radiators and took a walk over to look at the 45. As I approached, I realized that something was wrong. It looked too short. Then I noticed the GP 4 axle trucks instead of 6 axles found on SDs. The side of the cab was stenciled GP38-2. Figured it was some kind of a rebuild since the paint was new enough to smell. Checked The Diesel Shop website and confirmed my suspicions. There are a few of these running around and I occasionally see 1 in Bensenville. Might make for an interesting kitbash for my N scale basement.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by f14aplusfl

I'm from the east coast of Florida.... of course I had to vote for the FEC.

You should vote based on merit and skill, not on if you like the railroad, thats not the point of the pool [:(]

[espeefoamer]

It was a tough choice,but I picked #1. That bright red CP unit just jumped out at me. I,too, thought SD45 at first,then realized that CP never bought SD45s. Also,CP would never send a six axle unit down that rickety trackage, so I knew it was a rebuilt Geep. Congratulations,guys,on your 50th installment!

[fecfan]

Photo # 2 of course! Can't get enough of the FEC Railway! I can pick up any train mag any month of the year and find a photogenic capture of the CP along w/ accompanying article. OK... that's my rant...
I am truly impressed with the composition of the FEC pic, though. Curves along the ROW up and down Florida's east coast are usually gentle and the natural scenery is unexpectedly diverse between the north and the south of the same. This pic sure made a drab ol' aggregate run look alive!

[gannbb1]

This contest is about TRAINS! Right? And TRAINS are about Power! Right? And Photo 1 is ALL Power!

Got my vote!

As so often, the loosing photo is very good and would win against most railfan photos but is just out classed this time.

Thanks for all 50 presentations. They have been interesting and along with your commen ts and those of everyone every one else have made all of us better photographers and railfans!

Gannbb

[gemotor]

Congratulations on Number 50, gents! But again, it is still a contest of pedestrian grab shots. Is there no time to set up something really great? Or is it just the luck of the railfan when the right light, the right train, the right setting all come together with the right technique. I voted for #2. It is just a nice, easy, comfortable picture to look at. Nicely composed, good depth of field, on the inside of a curve. As the Dutch might say, it's gezellig. Why not #1? Well, it made me feel like I should be scrunching my arms and shoulders tighter - the subject was too big for the frame. All that bald red, kinda like bald blue skies, is pretty uninteresting too, and needs a bit more background for overall color balance and sensibility in the photo. Nice mug shot, though. If you can call the end of the long hood of an SD45 a mug shot, that is.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations on #50! I had to go with the first photo for a very non-railroad reason. It's RED! I love the new outshopped look, the secondary line (weeds growing in the track), the short consist with NO blurring in the back ground and the in-your-face look of the SD coming at you. The only criticism, if it is an error, is the ditch light being out; unless it was caught between flashes. The FEC unit is in the same situation but you can see the left light is barely illuminated, indicating it was caught in just the same, above named situation. The one thing I didn't like about the FEC train is that it looked TOO much like a posed calender shot. The true FEC GP unit leading two, renamed, ex-UP SD's is a common sight among RR's buying older motive power but I didn't count that against the picture. So, for no other reason than IT'S RED; I went with #1. Keep up the good work.

[Rene Luethi]

Photo #1 this is an interesting viewpoint, better you newer will have it in the real live.

[brilondon]

I really like the feeling I get when I see a locomotive bearing down on me like it was alive. Although the second photo is great, with the FEC on the point I tink what makes a good picture better is the less standard approach to photohgraphy when one is trying to get the unique angles not jsut the standard 3/4 shot which I can normally get my self.

[Anonymous]

I liked photo 1 because it was bold and it was just appiling. Great work.