Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 80

[ardilla]

Me too, I voted for Mike's photo, just because I fouded it clearer in the overview.

Mike, I followed your coal photo and the video. Is it true they are different trains?

When you see the train first coming from right to left, after the two first locomotives there are 10 cars and then come the three locomotives. When the train gets toward the camera and goes back to the right, there are more than 10 cars and the second group of locomotives do n ot appear.

Thanks.

 

Luis 

[e-mail]

 

 

[espeefoamer]

ERIK WINS! That shot of a train in the Rockies is AWESOME! Mike,did you purposely hold back your best photo so Erik could go out with a victory? That CN shot in flat country couldn't compare to the mountain photo.Does each of you know what photo the other is entering each week or do you keep it a secret? I am sorry to see Erik go,but I am curious to see where this contest goes from here.

[Noah Hofrichter]

I went with Erik's shot. Mike's is alright, but it looks too much like the stuff I shoot around here all the time; Erik's mountain scenery is the sort of thing I really would like to shoot.

And Erik, sad to see you go, but at least you'll still be around the forums. I look forward to seeing what the "guest photographers" can come up with too! Seems weird to think it's been 80 volumes with both of you! I can still remember clicking on the link in my Trains mag email to check out the new feature and see what the heck it was supposed to be about. Just doesn't feel that long ago....

Noah

 

[K&ARailfan]

I have to go with Erik's, you've got to love those Rocky Mountains!

[StephenDx]

One of the few times I have read ALL the replies for this competition. Everything I have read carries my sentiment as well.

As a student studying hard at present for a Bachelor of Computing Systems here in Tauranga, NZ, I do not get much time trackside However; I have enjoyed the column in the current context and look forward to the new format. It should produce some interesting challenges for Mike.

I add my good wishes to you Erik as you move on with your responsibilities and look forward to your occasional appearance in the column in the future.

To the voting: I went with Erik's for the composition and location. That rugged mountain shows the challenges railroads have of moving freight through obstacles. Sorry Mike, yours was a little too plain and undramatic for me this time. And I have a bit of nautical blood in me alongside the iron of the rails

Roll on Trackside with Trains.com its going to be even better.

[Gandy Dancer]

Hmmmm, what a huge difference of opinions.   I found both to be rather plain snap-shot type pictures.  The technical aspects both seem excellent.

As an earlier poster said the lake shot has a whole lot of sky, some nice flat water but for some reason it doesn't give me much of a feeling about the train, where it is, or where it is going.  Something like a ore ship out on the water or sea gulls or something.  The road on the right adds to the "wedgie" look of the whole shot.  What I really like is the plume of exhaust from the loco.  At least I know it is working and moving forward.

The Rocky Mountain shot seems to be a picture of rip-rap along the river bank that just happens to have a train on top of it.  Unfortunately moving the frame to the left to get a larger train would have lost the feeling of the depth of the valley it is climbing.  The photo does give me a feeling of train against nature.  There is also the contrast of the yellow locos against the subdued browns and very dark greens of the "nature".  I am wondering if a faster shutter speed would have given the river more of a crystaline frozen in time look.

I have to vote for Eric's Mountains.

[spokyone]

I sure was surprised when I saw the results of the voting.

[islandbridgejct]

Good of Mike to throw the last instalment and end things on a tie.

Now, did Erik jump or was he pushed?

(Thanks for all the entertainment. I only came to the series mid-way, but I've enjoyed your banter and bickering.)

[kolechovski]

Erik's wins through having much more detail to say the least.  Although both guys have had great photos over the years, I'd have to say that Erik is the overall winner by quite a ways, though I don't know how many comptetitions he won.  Basically, the greater detail and creativity in getting the shots has had great results.  I don't know what I'll do without you guys going head to head anymore.  I'll miss this feature.  Good luck.

 

BTW, Erik and Mike still sounds much better than Mike and Erik.  I just HAD to get that out there...

[Stephen Clark]

Another two really good photos making for a difficult choice. I went with Eric's photo this week with that wonderful mountain scenery.

Steve C

[OJLAR]

I LIKE THE UP PICTURE AS I LIVED IN COLORADO AND LOVE THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SCENE.

YOU DO GOOD WORK AND GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEW ADVENTURE.  HOPE TO SEE YA BACK NOW AND THEN.

Depot

[Bergie]

I know, I know, swimming against the current again, but I voted for Mike's photo.  The Colorado shot was just too easy, even though the result was very appealing and calendar-worthy.

Thanks, gemotor, but expect a swift reply from Erik on that suggestion!

 

  That's good stuff. I guess we should define "too easy" before I pass judgement. One photo is a short drive from one's home; the other involved a trip to the Milwaukee airport, a two-hour flight, and a haul up into the mountains.

Bergie

[Bergie]

Where's the step ladder when Mike needed a couple more feet of elevation for a little better perspective of Lake Winnebago to beat your butt?

Funny you mention that... I was thinking the same thing yesterday afternoon. I guess one should always keep at least a step lader in their truck for such occassions.

Bergie

[mikeyuhas]

I know, I know, swimming against the current again, but I voted for Mike's photo.  The Colorado shot was just too easy, even though the result was very appealing and calendar-worthy.

Thanks, gemotor, but expect a swift reply from Erik on that suggestion!

 

[Bergie]

Erik, were you standing in the water? or did you have a good zoom from the far bank?

Absolutely not!  Brrrrrrr... I hate the cold, let alone standing in cold water! 

I was on the oposite bank. But event at that, I was only shooting at 31mm, so it didn't require the big lumber (i.e. a zoom lens).

Thanks for participating.

Erik

[HarveyK400]

Where's the step ladder when Mike needed a couple more feet of elevation for a little better perspective of Lake Winnebago to beat your butt?

At least Mike & company will carry on.  This has been an enjoyable series. 

Thanks Eric for the fine images, I wish you well in your next endeavor. 

 

[PRRK4s1361]

First, and most important, I really hate to see this series (in its present form) end...but am delighted that it will continue with a different lineup behind the lenses.

I concur with the majority of what everyone says...this column will not be the same but we all wish the best for you Eric!! You both always acted like brothers in your little friendly war but the end results were always that one way or another both of you would prosper.

Now to the shots...this one has to be the most difficult to decide. Both are beautiful shots but I have always been partial to mountains (even though I do enjoy going to the shorelines in South Jersey when I get the chance). My favorite place in PA has always been the moutnains around Horseshoe Curve and the Huntingdon County area. Most of my relatives are in that area. But also there is a great chasing area right along US 22 for about a two mile stretch that is magnificent and there is the Spruce Creek Tunnels a little further west. After that the valley of the Little Juniata River is really hard to beat for scenery until you are west of Altoona. I really wish I had more time and dedication to this hobby because I have always enjoyed it since I was a 'little shaver'. With all this it menas that I went with Eric's picture for the final time. Best of luck to both of you in your futures and may the gods of sunshine glow on your pictures everytime.

[zardoz]

I'm going to go against the majority here; I'm voting based on the 'difficulty factor'.

Getting a decent shot here in the dreary flatlands, on a dreary day, of a dreary railroad, is difficult to do.  Mike managed to get a very nice shot DESPITE the natural restrictions.

Not to take anything away from Erik's beautiful shot, but getting a decent shot in Colorado is almost as easy as "point-and-shoot". 

Of course, I realize that if both photos were up for sale, Erik's would outsell Mike's. 

[CNW 6000]

Hmm...Rockies vs Great Lakes.....Even though i'll be moving to the Great Lakes area in a month (Michigan), the Rocky Mountains will always have a place in my heart.  No matter what company is running a train through it.

Erik, were you standing in the water? or did you have a good zoom from the far bank?

That's actually Lake Winnebago...apparently the 6th Great Lake!  LOL! 

[Mike M]

No sympathy vote from me...Eric's shot was great. It'll earn a spot on my computer background for a while(at work). I'd like to see it on a Xmas card also. I too have learned alot about shooting trains from you guys, but my 4 yr old grandson still takes better train pix than me.

Mike

[Tom Moran]

I hate to see that 'old gang of ours' break-up, while on the other hand, it's great that "Trackside" will continue.

Two terrific shots, as usual, but my vote goes to Erik. There's action in the mountains...rail and otherwise.

Good luck Erik. You too, Mike.

Tom M.

[broarthur]

Both of you guys take such beautiful shots, I always have a hard time deciding which one to choose.  I went with Erik's shot because it was of a place I had never seen before and the back ground just blew me away.  I'm going to miss the lighthearted banter between you two but I'm glad that the articles are going to continue.  It's going to be interesting to see what the "new blood" is going to bring in.  I can hardly wait.  Erik, God speed to you and we'll be seeing you around the forum.

[Rocket Man]

Mike's shot had very good effort, but I felt the weather worked against the potential grandeur of the photo. I share the same sentiment with others that Erik's photo is calendar and/or Christmas card quality. It makes me want to go to the same spot and photograph trains. Aw heck, why not? It's only an hour or so away!

Thanks again to both Erik and Mike for "Trackside...". Your column is welcome respite and your photography is inspiring.

I look forward to the next rendition of Trackside...

 

Take care of yourself Bergie!

 

 

 

[gemotor]

I know, I know, swimming against the current again, but I voted for Mike's photo.  The Colorado shot was just too easy, even though the result was very appealing and calendar-worthy.  I looked long and hard at Mike's shot, and the more I looked, the better I liked it.  The little bit of light under the locomotive frame, the framing of the trees on the right side, and of course the peaceful lake on the left with a bit of nautical something going on there just made it good for me.  Sure, it's a wedgie, but with green grass, trees, a lake, and a right handsome train, it's a photo I appreciate.  It would have been even better if the roadway and the partial tree trunk on the right had been cropped out, though.

Thanks, Erik, for sharing your talents with us.  This has been a most enjoyable series.

[dknelson]

I voted for Erik's shot, not due to sympathy or sorrow, but because it reminded me of the great shots the UP includes in its color calendars -- usually, as with this one, backed away more from the trains than a railfan would usually shoot.

This though Mike's shot was from an area I know and like. 

Thanks for the shots and the memories, Erik (and the kind mention in your write-up) and we hope to still see you trackside from time to time.   I'll be the last guy with Fujichrome boxes (they stopped making K200).

Remember man does not live by home improvements (or golf) alone.

Dave Nelson

[DennisHeld]

When I first saw the entries, I figured that Mike was 'throwing' the competition. Whereas Mike's is an ok shot, a third of it is empty sky. Some puffy cumulus clouds would have helped. But it STILL wouldn't have won!
Erik's shot was crisp with a load of detail in the rocks, the babbling stream, the snow and, oh, there was a train in the shot.

[DICKK]

Sorry to see you go Erik. The contests have been great.  I voted for Erik not out of a symbolic gesture but the fact that his UP picture far outdistanced Mikes CN.  Good luck Erik and do not be a stranger.

[wcnut]

Mike,
I want to see more shots from that location, I think it has potential... just not today.  And as homesick as I am for the Land of Cheddar, Erik's photo is the victor today.  Great shots from the both of you.

Erik,
Its been fun with your weekly amusing and insightful comments.  You and Mike make a great team and you started some very fun and interesting here on trains.com... kudos!

Thanks to the both of you,
Greg
"wcnut"

[bnsfkline]

I had to go with Erik's shot, not out of sympathy. Any shot from Colorodo will get my vote....  HOWEVER...Mike, if you could get a time machine working and got a shot of the Old D&RGW Farmington Branch in Aztec, NM, that would have been my vote!