Trackside vol. 131, "Heat," is now live

[Sunnyland]

This was a hard one, they were all so good.  But I went with nostalgia and voted for Steve.  I have a Frisco coal oil lantern that belonged to my grandfather who worked as a brakeman and later conductor. So this picture reminded me of something that would have been a big part of his life.

Great job, everyone.

[LU-Trains]

 Been so busy I literally missed the last installment and almost missed this one, with only about one hour before I walk out the door to catch a plane.

OK, this week is weird.  And talk about disjointed.  This has to be the widest diversity of
ideas in years for this photo contest.  This is a tough one.

I can sure sympathize with all these hot wore-out workers.  Having endured Texas heat for many years I can’t imagine the drain of working the rails in that environment!  I used to live in the Fort Worth area - actually in Grapevine -  so it’s good to see the steam engine running.  (This past summer we took one of the jaunts, but it was with a GP pulling the train.)

But I think I’m going with Drew’s Black and White.  The heat waves are pretty cool.
(no pun intended)

[Indiana "Casey" Jones]

 I went with Kathi's photo.  I like "thinking outside the box".  Of course, any photo about trains is great.

[loadmaster747]

Anyone who has any experience with feeding a coal fire, whether it it be Grandma's farmhouse furnace in the cellar (as in my case) or the hungry firebox of a steam locomotive, knows the meaning of heat.  I was intrigued by the rooftop heat ripples in Drew's photo, but I kept coming back to the yellow-white heat inside the firebox door and decided to vote for Jim's shot this time.  Honorable Mention goes to Andy for his photo and explanation of the problems encountered when installing welded rail.

[CRSD50]

I voted for Drew's picture, as I felt like I was actually "looking at" the heat.

Steve's would be my second favorite because of its unique interpretation of the theme.

[DRGWBuff2000]

Okay, so I went with Alex's one because of the train and the fact that I just finished a 9 feet HO trestle for my layout, but the others were unbelievable. We don't see much railroading here in Costa Rica, but you guys help me live the experience with your wonderful pictures!

Enrique

[Choo Choo Aussie]

All got the message across to do with heat but the one I voted for was David's.  The man looks hot, sweaty and beat.  He has that look that he has had enough.  I can relate to how he must be feeling as we are having very hot days (heatwaves) here in Australia. Kathy's came in a close second.  Well done. 

[gannbb1]

I voted for Steve's photo because of its uniqueness in application of the theme. Also it is an extremely technically proficient photo.

 Before I saw results or comments I predicted Andy will win. Excellent illustration of the theme for a die hard rail fan. (Aren't we all?)

BTW. Wife put Sleeping Engineer second.

GLB

[TOMinTN]

Most certainly another interesting group of submissions.

None of the entries particularly defined my concept of "heat", but I liked the unique switch lantern shot from Steve Crise, and after much consideration, it got my vote.

TJB    ---   Nashville, TN

 

[Modelcar]

Once again time to make a decision......The choices are so varied and creative this time.  High marks to all perticipants showing different ways to refer to "heat"....with photos.

My choice is Steve's unique signal / lamp display.  But I had to think about it to decide....Jim's open fire box and cab interior ambience has to be my 2nd choice.  We have to make just one selection.

[Partsman_ba]

Had to go with Dave's shot - looks like Mr. Randall is on the verge of heat exhaustion to me! His whole face is red! Hope he had those beers in a nice, cool place.

[CNW 6000]

Drew's shot is awesome...lots of heat there.  Good catch!

[CShaveRR]

Tie this week, between Drew and Andy--I've seen both of these on occasion.

Time to toss the coin--I call heads. Let's see...head of the train, railhead expanding. Still a tie!

Drew, you need to get a shot like ths on a moist day (after a rain or snowfall). Then you actually get steam coming up from the radiators. Get to see that often enough around here. Of course, once they get out on the road, all of the precipitation has evaporated.

Going to have to give it to Drew. Lots of heat when you blow that photo up.

[garr]

 I go with Drew's also-- a tried and true showing of heat however the snow was a nice addition.

Steve's was a close second for the implied heat. Some other showings of implied heat would be a derailment or three-way meet at siding on a single main.

Andy's also was a close contender-amazing what a string of fire and a little patience can do to the hardest of steel.

In days past, some obvious shots would have been steam escaping between passenger cars and smoke from a caboose stack.

Jay

[tree68]

I also went with Drew's shot, as it spoke to the theme without any explanation. 

Factoring in the explanations, Kathy and Dave did quite well (although without the drop of perspiration, Dave's could have been a winter shot), and Steve get's the nod for most unique approach.

Andy's shot got my attention because I saw CSX doing exactly the same thing last year to fix a pull-apart.

[henry6]

I chose Drew's view of the heat being dissapated off the radiators and dynamics...often unseen nor noticed, there is, literally, a hell of a lot of heat generated from the top of a locomotive, much more than one realizes.

[Matt Quandt]

The latest edition of Trackside with Trains.com is now live. View this week's selection of photos and vote for your favorite.

Trackside with Trains.com, Volume 131: "Heat"

This week's photographers:

David Lustig
Andy Cummings, Associate Editor
Kathi Kube, Managing Editor
Jim Wrinn, Editor
Alex Mayes
Drew Halverson, Graphic Designer
Steve Crise