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[Bergie]

In our new online feature, Trackside with Erik and Mike, Trains.com staff members Erik Bergstrom and Mike Yuhas go trackside and share with you their results, as well as what they’ve learned. In each installment, we’ll include let our users vote on who got the best shot. Read this week’s installment.

[DICKK]

Voted for number 2. Number 1 seemed just a bit far away and I liked the angle on number 2.

[Anonymous]

I really liked the brightness of photo 2, It may not show as much of the train but I prefer taking pictures during the day instead of what seams like at night. LOL

[ShaunCN]

I think Photo 2 is better because it is closer than photo 1 and phot 1 is abit dark.

[SteveGibson]

I liked Photo #2 better - just seems like a better angle, more colorful, & shows off the power of the freight.

[Railrunnin]

ummm, I thought there was a prize behind door number two,

and a better pic imo for reasons others have noted

railrunnin

[Anonymous]

#2 was much closer and brighter

[Anonymous]

I voted for no.2, I thought photo 1 could have used some cropping to get rid of some of the foreground. The best shot, i think, was the first shot in the article..the Burlington Northern. As all I ever see is CP and CPR, a green train is a treat!

[FrankStratton]

Darn, you were less than a mile from my house while you took the shots at Chillicothe and less than a mile from where I was born and raised at the Toluca shots. Sure wish I had known you were going to be in the area, I would have trotted over and said Hi. Well I have to agree with the others that #2 is better. Had #1 been brighter and a little closer it could have won hands down. Keep up the good work fellows, you guys are coming up with the best of pictures, especially when it is of BNSF.

[Anonymous]

I liked picture 2 better No.1 was not as good

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

I voted for No.2 although to me it should have taken at about the same angle as No.1. No.1 has beautiful background & would have got my vote but it was taken from to far away No.2 got my vote simply because it was a closer shot! U sure u guys can't get some trestle shots?

[Anonymous]

Whew, I'm not sure I see this the way everyone else does. I really like the composition of number 1 over number 2. Color saturation seems greater - in fact, if it had been film I would have guessed that a polarizer filter was used on number 1, where number 2 could have used a polariser. The color seems washed out to me on number 2, the sky full of haze or simply washed out. The deep BNSF orange contrasted by the yellow has more impact and strength in 1, and the composition is like the old RR art. However, number two does appear to be closer, which is a plus. Which one do you think an editor would choose for a cover/fullpage art or calendar page?
LSTRAINER

[dave5000]

I chose photo #2, my reason was compostition. Photo 1 has the horizon in the middle of the frame, photo 2 the horizon is in the lower 3rd. A more pleasing framing to the eye. I do however like the color saturation of photo 1. I also appears that these two photos are from different locations, the sun and angle of the camera all have an effect on the photographic outcome. ** and hey E & M, I was just in Milwaukee (4/2) and found some great stuff in south Milwaukee ! caught a light run by UP and the Bucyrus Erie was moving around too ! I had no Idea it was really there !
d5k

[Anonymous]

I liked both pictures in various ways, although most voters chose #2, I picked #1. It offered the best profiles of the power, like the differences on the cabs of the first two units, ( the 1'st had the updated version of BNSF cigar band and the second unit did not ) . You couldn't miss the CSX unit at the rear of the lash-up either ! The side view also portrayed the trains movement much better to me than photo #2, as you could see the exhaust trail billowing off to the rear , ( they must 'nt have been moveing up-grade, or pulling hard at that moment, as the faint exhaust trail suggests ) the biggest problem was that the lens filter or adjustment was too dark, and it could have stood a little more of a zoom-up... The coolest thing aboult #2 to me is the effectual, awesome feeling, that a speeding train is comeing right at you !!! There is a theatrical movie-like quality to that kind of shot . It seems to stir people... EXELLENT JOB GUYS !!!

[Anonymous]

#2 gives a real feel of power. As I get older (along with my eyes) big seems to get better. A little more color saturation would be nice, but the photo can pass muster without it.