I had to go with Alex because of nostalgia. All the trips with my parents were pulled by E or F units and one was a PRR on trip to NY. I can remember seeing them pull into stations, especially at night with the wigwag light shining. Since we traveled on Dad's Frisco pass, we often changed trains at night or at lonely stations. Dad and I would also go down to Frisco yards to watch their passenger trains heading out. So this type of engine stands out in my memory and always will. Many happy times were on trains pulled by these units.
Will have to agree w/"Potlatcher" Tom on this, although granted the subject matter's "1st generation diesels" and not necessarily their settings and/or use. Andy's has a pair of the least-modified (or unrestored) units working in-service, not @ a museum, nor on an excursion, nor "chopped" . . . yes, they do have ditch lights/FRA regulations but that tight tele'shot clearly shows the lead unit w/a high unmodified nose (besides having an affinity for those flanger warning signs @ the pile trestle approaches and the former MILW's Superior Division).
Alex looks to win this hands-down, and it's a great "classic wedgie" shot w/the fall colors, Nay Aug tunnel's W portal, etc. What detracts from all that as-well-as the terrific restoration job on that E-8A pair is the ATK "mud-missile" and wingless/tailess "jetliner bodies" behind 'em emerging from the bore. Too bad a bit longer tele' shot wasn't used to keep ATK's consist inside the latter for a less distracting appearance.
Kathi's shot has a very nice New England scene, and of an RS-1 besides, but there's as much (if not more) mountain backdrop than ALCo w/train, and it is a tourist setting. Jim's shot of the ex-SOU FP-7A/E-8A is quite good for its museum locale, but the "dark side" view did "wash-out" the FP engineer's portion of the cab a bit much. Otto's w/that ex-NYNH&H "McGinnis madness" FL-9A was in a regular commuter mode, but just a bit too distant and "nose-on" (maybe another shot w/less tele' as it rounded that curve up the Danbury Branch to show more of the unit . . . ?). If the "Trackside" subject was "chop-nosed/rebuilt 1st generation Geeps" then Tom's and Elrond's would clearly be in the top of the votes.
Kevin Keefe It looks like Alex's Pennsy shot will win. No big surprise there (it's hard to beat the PRR, ain't it Alex?). But for what it's worth I'm going with Otto's New Haven image. Maybe the NH was financially lame in the '60s, but that paint scheme was terrific.
It looks like Alex's Pennsy shot will win. No big surprise there (it's hard to beat the PRR, ain't it Alex?). But for what it's worth I'm going with Otto's New Haven image. Maybe the NH was financially lame in the '60s, but that paint scheme was terrific.
Thanks, Kevin! These units get a mixed reaction down here... to the old New Haven railroaders, they represent the lowest-point of the railroad's career shortly before being swallowed up by merger. To the railfans, they represent classic cab units and a brief glimpse into the past! Either way, it was a lot of fun to observe these units in their last years on home rails...
-otto-
== otto vondrak - www.ottovondrak.com - www.ritmrc.org - www.nywbry.com ==
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
FWIW...
Andy, if you'd have used that one in the contest you'd have snagged my vote. In my mind, your original submission was second to Kathi's
TJB / Nashville, TN
OK, OTTO, you win...love RS1's (NYS&W, Butler NJ, 1958) but always loved the Nathan Chime and the utility of the FL9...so you got my vote.
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henry6I'm gonna have to take my time this time...Otto's got the FL9's but I wish he could have gotten a better location and Kathi RS is in Bellows Falls, but under tourist operation which I shy from No one got a real first gen in original paint and condition, even the E8's are created from another road. Soooo.....let's think about it.
I think it would be hard to find a first generation unit that is 50 years old in its original paint and condition! The FL9's were rebuilt so they could remain in their daily service role (on home rails, no less), and you have to applaud CDOT for returning their units to their as-delivered paint job.
As for Kathi's picture, the name on the side of the engine may now say "GREEN MOUNTAIN," but that's an original Rutland RS-1 (built 1951 new for the railroad) serving on home rails in Vermont. Squint and you could be back in time. Plus, GMRC may haul passengers on the weekends, but it's a real deal freight hauler, too.
I don't think a 50 year old unit would be running or look half as good without a rebuild and fresh paint at some point in its career! :-) I don't mean to pick nits, I'm enjoying all the comments and conversation.
Hey Andy, I like your "almost picked," too! Interesting angle, great light, and good composition. Nice view of the surroundings, too.
I have to agree. This shot really stood out for me. The well preserved, working locomotives and the scenery made an excellent photo. Well done Alex.
I almost voted for Alex's PRR E8s,but the Amtrak unit detracted somewhat. Tom's GP9 photo got my vote.Here were first generation units doing what they were built for.Hauling freight in actual revenue service.The Es were on a fantrip,but the GP9s were doing real work for a real railroad.
Tough choice. I liked almost all of 'em, but I decided that Kathi's looked most like a first generation unit as it would have appeared when it was new. Aside from that, I'm a sucker for mom, apple pie and Alcos.
That was a great subject choice...one I hope will be re-visited from time to time.
TJB in Nashville, TN
EMD 'covered wagons', to me, are the epitome of first generation diesels. Graceful yet powerful, they pulled the classic passenger trains of the era. GP7/9s, RS-1s, and SW switchers might be contemporaries, but the E and F units were clearly the 'cover girls' of the era. Having said that, I have always thought the Pennsylvania color schemes to be fairly bland so I voted for the shot of the Southern F7 and E8, although the overall composition of the Pennsy units exiting the tunnel was probably the better shot. Keep up the good work, everyone!
Had to go with one of the GP9's. I love the F and E units, but how many are actually in regular daily service in industries? There are some still in use by Maryland Midland, a recently acquired Genesee & Wyoming Co. at the local Lehigh Portland Cement Company in Union Bridge, MD. and they are true workhorses.
Tough choice, but I went with Tom's.
"It's all good"
Difficult choice, love covered wagons and Elrond's Santa Fe was great, but Tom's Arizona desert shot got me, location is as important to me as the subject.
First of all, I have to hand it to Mr. Lawrence for the “different” take on our theme. However, ever since Drew - at least I think it was Drew - took a picture of the scratches on the side of a rail, it’s been fairly obvious here, that viewers really aren’t into avant garde leanings. But hey, don’t stop trying! . . I’m usually a real sucker for F units. I’m a model railroader, rather than a railfan, and my layout is basically all about F units. However, when I put all the pictures up on my big screen side by side, it was Tom Danneman’s bright golden Copper Basin shot that just jumped off the screen. Probably just the sun-washed illumination that caught my eye, but nevertheless, it also caught my vote.
A mile from the tracks, but I still hear the whistle! Cleveland, Tennessee
I am a sucker for covered wagons! Loved Alex's shot of the E-8's at work. The picturesque rocks and foliage were icing on the Pennsy cake!
I don't usually vote on these contests, but I've always been a 1st Gen. Diesel fan, so I thought I'd chime in. I'm not a great artistic critic of photographs - I'm more interested in content than style, and for that reason there were only two real choices - the SD-9's and the FL-9. These were the only shots taken of locomotives that retain the same outward appearance as when they were built, working in the same revenue service for which they were built. Of course, these may both have received internal improvements or rebuilds, but on the outside they look just like their designers intended. The RS-1 in Kathi's shot is beautiful, but shown hauling tourists. The Copper Basin and Santa Fe geeps both have chopped noses. The SOU and PRR F/E units are now museum units that, fortunately, get out on the mainline every once in a while to stretch their legs, but that's all.
So I voted for Andy's SD's since I'm more partial to freight than passenger. I just think it's too bad that there aren't more voters that agree with me. Of course, I had that problem last November, too.
Tom
I am going with Otto's FL9 shot, but ONLY because I literally grew up with these unique units on the NYC Harlem division and THEY were THE reason I became a railfan, watching two of them come charging through my station at Tuckahoe elephant style with the early morning train from "way up north" as I was waiting for my M.U. train to arrive and take me to GCT. I would have voted for the Pennsy E-9 shot except the Amtrak Genesis unit tucked in as protection power ruined the look of the shot for me.
Andy....Your "almost picked shot", goes well to the theme and is a nice, and from a different angle, RR photo.
Quentin
John —
I have to agree that Kathi's is excellent and should do very well this round. As for mine, I struggled a bit in choosing which image to use. I nearly picked this view from Ontonagon, Mich.:
In the end, I decided the orange snow fences were too distracting. I had another view that showed the 1224 leading, but it doesn't have a forward-facing Mars light, and I really wanted the Mars light to be obvious, as that's a classic early EMD feature. Guess I have to get back up to the UP and take another stab at them!
cx500Went with Kathi's, even if I think it needs a tilt corrected (about 2degrees CCW). Pure First Generation, no rebuilding modifications or modern power tucked in behind. The surroundings give it good context and the classic First Generation style is displayed well. And overall it's a nice picture too.I consider Andy's second - also a very nice image - but felt it needed to show off the diesels to better advantage to conform fully with the theme. John
Went with Kathi's, even if I think it needs a tilt corrected (about 2degrees CCW). Pure First Generation, no rebuilding modifications or modern power tucked in behind. The surroundings give it good context and the classic First Generation style is displayed well. And overall it's a nice picture too.
I consider Andy's second - also a very nice image - but felt it needed to show off the diesels to better advantage to conform fully with the theme.
John
Tough choice! Here's my words for the different competitors in order of appearance:
Jim: Nice photo of classic Southern units, but the over-exposed nose doesn't do it for me. 7th choice.
Otto: FL9s forever! I have a tough time voting when they enter the scene, and being from the east (and feeling lucky that finally, there's photos from the east and not the midwest!) doesn't make it any easier to decide! Nice shot! 4th choice.
Kathi: Having recently photographed that same unit (and it's number 405, not 408), and it being another Eastern shot have made it a strong contender. The Alco smoke helped a lot too. If Andy hadn't posted such a beautiful photo, you may have gotten my vote. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit out east! 3rd choice.
EDIT: Did you notice the Hancock Steam Whistle on the 405? It really surprised me when I heard it, and I got quite a few comments about it on my video of the unit.
Andy: Amazing photo! For some reason, drab colors look best to me on old 1st Generation diesels hard at work, so that was a big factor in my vote for you. The bush in the foreground is a nice touch, as is the flanger (?) sign at left. 1st choice! 1st choice.
Alex: Very nice shot. I'm still waiting for those pretty ol' E units to make their way up here! 5th choice.
Tom: That shot can only be described as stunning! The low sunlight lighting up the front of the locomotive combined with the scenic Arizona desert gives you my 2nd choice. Great shot.
Elrond: Interesting framing! You were right, the elevators certainly make an interesting backdrop! 6th choice.
I almost cast a vote for the E&LS SD9s...but even then, I can't see much of 'em. The rest of the shots...nothing special to me this time. Sorry, but no vote.
Dan
Had to go with Alex's Pennsy shot - especially since I equate "first generation" with E, F's, PA's, etc. Jim's shot was good, but Alex caught the Pennsy set "at work."
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
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Believe I'll go with Jim Wrinn's this time....The white paint is a bit overexposed, but understand the difference in light values in the photo colors and sun / shade conditions.
Just like his photo....Seems to be pleasantly "pretty".....and of course passed for the theme well too. Maybe I'm partial to green...
Sorry...I overlooked Alex's photo of the Pennsy set on my first look....!
I must comment it is a beautiful photo....I come from Pennsy territory. Look, even the phone antenna is on it's roof. I must rate it right up there with Jim's.
Sorry 'bout the broken links. I think they're fixed; work OK for me now, anyway.
Best,
ModelcarA.K. CummingsTrackside with Trains.com Vol. 119, "First Generation Diesels," is now live. You can read the edition here, and click here to vote. When I try to join the new Vol. 119....the only thing I get is "page not found".
A.K. CummingsTrackside with Trains.com Vol. 119, "First Generation Diesels," is now live. You can read the edition here, and click here to vote.
When I try to join the new Vol. 119....the only thing I get is "page not found".
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