Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 53: June 19, 2006

Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, Jun 20 2006 7:34 PM

erik has it this week for me, nice shot

Posted by Robertdale

on Tue, Jun 20 2006 7:54 PM

You two really like to make it tough on the voters eh? If I wasn't a huge BNSF fan, Mike's photo would have gotten my vote. Any other time your photo is a big winner Mike

Posted by DICKK

on Tue, Jun 20 2006 9:34 PM

Not your usual photo. Voted for Eric. Has a bit of a mystical quality.

Posted by ValorStorm

on Wed, Jun 21 2006 12:40 AM

Oh, bury me NOTTTTT
On the lone prairiEEEEE
But still I CHOSE
The photo from BergiEEEEE

Posted by dalake

on Wed, Jun 21 2006 1:51 AM

I loved Mike's photo, but Eric's was. . . WOW!

Posted by Anonymous

on Wed, Jun 21 2006 4:15 AM

Mike gets my vote - I like the Wilderness Train best!

Posted by Tom Moran

on Wed, Jun 21 2006 7:20 AM

How can you not appreciate - and vote for - a sunset? The train in the distance
heading toward Erik is also 'splitting the signals'. Enlarge the photo and see.

One more thing: Does voter UPTRAIN have to pay a fee to Union Pacific for using the UP shield logo?

Tom Moran
South Jersey

Posted by Rocket Man

on Wed, Jun 21 2006 11:30 AM

Mike, you are putting up photos that I consider easy winners in the average weekly competition, but this and last weeks competitions are comparing apples and oranges. I love the IC coming around the curve... BUT... I voted for Erik, and as you commented, his photo "has it all". The signal was perfectly offset from center. the light was perfect, the reflections, the dust cloud from the fast mover. [8D]

Which reminds me... someone commented how anyone can get this shot out west. I live out west and I would feel very fortunate to have the right conditions and skill to pull off this photo. Give credit where credit is due, Erik did a lot of work to get it perfect. [tup]

[2c]Lastly, I agree with others that maybe we should level the playing field. Photos should probably be taken in roughly the same area, and roughly the same time frame. How about you guys going on tour?

Let me be the first to invite you to Colorado! [#welcome]
First assignment, Moffat Tunnel East Portal to Denver. The Ski Train, Amtrak's California Zephyr, UP, BNSF, 30... yes THIRTY tunnels in about 49 miles of track. Plenty of climbing, bring your backpack camera case with the black lace! [:I]

The Rock Island Line is a mighty fine line...

Posted by mikeyuhas

on Wed, Jun 21 2006 12:44 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rocket Man

Let me be the first to invite you to Colorado! [#welcome]
First assignment, Moffat Tunnel East Portal to Denver. The Ski Train, Amtrak's California Zephyr, UP, BNSF, 30... yes THIRTY tunnels in about 49 miles of track. Plenty of climbing, bring your backpack camera case with the black lace! [:I]

Just send plane tickets!

Thank you for reading Trains magazine! click here if you dare

Posted by Sterling1

on Wed, Jun 21 2006 3:50 PM

Voted for Mike:

All I can say is "LUSH Greens" ...

"There is nothing in life that compares with running a locomotive at 80-plus mph with the windows open, the traction motors screaming, the air horns fighting the rush of incoming air to make any sound at all, automobiles on adjacent highways trying and failing to catch up with you, and the unmistakable presence of raw power. You ride with fear in the pit of your stomach knowing you do not really have control of this beast." - D.C. Battle [Trains 10/2002 issue, p74.]

Posted by lhtalbot

on Wed, Jun 21 2006 4:38 PM

Hopefully the guy who suggested that shots like Erik's are a dime a dozen "anytime you're out west" was speaking in jest. It's a great shot & not that easy to take. Yeah, sometimes you luck out, but knowing where & when to be for that luck is still a skill.
Mike's shot is very nice but can't hold up against a whopper like Erik's.
Thanks again, guys

Larry in Wauwatosa

Posted by jroebuck

on Thu, Jun 22 2006 4:08 AM

Like sunset shots - this one v good

Posted by Davidson Ward

on Thu, Jun 22 2006 3:13 PM

Loved both photos guys!

Posted by kolechovski

on Thu, Jun 22 2006 4:18 PM

Seeing the pics, the winner was clear-Erik got my vote instantly, well, within 1 minute. It is difficult to have nature working for you, and to have a sunset like that, with the trains darkened the right amount, and get all that good stuff from the headlights and the signals, was just fantastic.

Sorry Mike, yours wasn't at the best angle, IMHO, and although the curve/leading loco was nice, it was still trumped by the competition.

Posted by Anonymous

on Thu, Jun 22 2006 10:14 PM

So Mike why not use a old photo did you not take it? That would have made a close vote. Erik that shot with the setting sun was great[^][tup] an got my vote.
Yes that is some beautiful country the wife an I just return round trip via amtrak from Va Beach Va to Sacdramento Ca after 3 weeks. We took some 700-800 shots thank God for digital cameras will try and post some shots in next couple of weeks.