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[Bergie]

This week's installment of Trackside with Erik and Mike is now live within the Railroading section on the Trains.com home page. Please read this week's column and then vote for your favorite photo below. Click here to read Trackside with Erik and Mike Vol. 32.

[espeefoamer]

Erik's photo won easily this week.I loved the Conrail meet.I think the pollen and diesel exhaust added to the atmosphere of the photo.Mike,yousubmitted the wrong picture.I really liked the shot of the CN freight on the curve in early evening light,with the sun shinning on the train from a low angle. the barn added a lot to the photo. In the one you submitted,the second train is not only in the shade,it is out of focus.The photo of the CN train curving past the barn probably would have gotten my vote.

[jrhambone]

For all the wrong reasons, I voted for Mike's dark and gloomy photo. Erik has some nice lighting, good angles, etc., etc., etc.... Mike's photo shows power, raw power. Both very interesting shots, but my vote went with Mike.

[Anonymous]

Espeefoamer - I could not have said it better myself on every point!

QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer

Erik's photo won easily this week.I loved the Conrail meet.I think the pollen and diesel exhaust added to the atmosphere of the photo.Mike,yousubmitted the wrong picture.I really liked the shot of the CN freight on the curve in early evening light,with the sun shinning on the train from a low angle. the barn added a lot to the photo. In the one you submitted,the second train is not only in the shade,it is out of focus.The photo of the CN train curving past the barn probably would have gotten my vote.

[Anonymous]

I had to go with Erik's shot, as both east & westbound traction was in focus. I realise that under certain conditions an out of focus shot works better.. but NOT under low light conditions...had you taken the same shot when it was brighter you'd have won hands down..

[Anonymous]

Both photo's should be a tied shot both could be the best photo of this series; both show good details and both are action of a true railroad working. However I voted for Erik's everything was in focus.

[Anonymous]

I thought Mikes was the better photo. The composition is much better in Mikes. With the sun on the CN unit. it's jusut beautiful. I might hav to print this one out.
Andrew

[Anonymous]

ERIK GETS MY VOTE; I GUESS I LIKE GREENS AND BLUES MORE THAN GOLD TONES. ALSO, THE LEAD UNIT IN MIKE'S PHOTO REQUIRES THE VIEWER TO VISUALIZE THE LOCOMOTIVE WHEREAS IN ERIK'S EFFORT, IT'S THERE TO SEE!

[DICKK]

Liked Erics photo for one reason. Nostalgia.

[fievel]

I love both shots ! What a tough choice ! I voted for Erik. All that exhaust smoke
and stuff floating in the air gave it a nice 'mood'. I easily could have chosen Mike's.
Well done, gentlemen ! [:)]

[jimmac230]

Both great photographs. Voted for Erik's as he captured the meet just a little better. Mike's isn't bad either as train meets are very tricky to photo. You two do great work and keep them coming.

[FrankStratton]

I believe that if Mike's had been from the distance that Erik's was taken from it would have been a much tougher decision. However, Erik's wins hands down this time as far as I am concerned. The composition of his shot is terrific, it is one to be framed and hung on the wall. Well done Erik. And Mike do not dispair because yours is very good in its own right.

[Anonymous]

I voted for Eric. As has been pointed out, both units are in focus and that did it in the end for me. Plus I, too, liked the soft colors of Eric's shot. This one just "felt right."

[mandelswamp]

While Mike's meeting shot is nice, I think the view of the CN locomotive is too large and spoils the picture. If Mike had selected his earlier 7:45 PM photo of the CN train 331, I would have had a very tough time selecting the winner. Since Mike went with the meeting shot, there was no doubt in my mind that Erik's submittal was the winner - it truly conveys to the viewer both the pollen and the hazy conditions that Erik experienced. So Erik won my vote this time!

Note to Mike, the photo of the CP train at Elm Park does not enlarge when you click on it. You must be missing a link on the page.

[mrunyan]

What a tough call. The raw in your face CN makes you step back to avoid being hit by loose equipment and the heat waves hiding the WC, loved the engineer framed in the window of that beast. But in the end the "atmosphere" and focus of the Conrail drew me in. Great work gentlemen. Being from Chicago area I want to vote often, and this time for both of you.