Gotta go with the cemetary shot. Maybe it brings back memories of the graveyard next to the tracks at which we used to attend Memorial Day ceremonies.
The freeway picture had potential. Of course, timing is everything, which is why there were no trucks in the shot to provide a truck vs train counterpoint.
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...
Thanks for fixing the spelling error. We all make them occasionally.
Hey...I thought you were a big-wig editor. What do I know? Well, one thing for sure, I know that you and your co-workers take some great pictures.
The best result of Volume 90 might be the remark from the reader who commented that he had considered serving up some puns about the train by the cemetery...but decided not to...because it would be a GRAVE mistake.
TJB in Nashville
Both photos are great. The UP coal train reminds me of trips I've had on VIARail as it runs alongside Ontario's 401 expressway east of Toronto. As you peer out the window, cars travelling 60-70 mph on the highway, seem to almost be standing still as the train gradually overtakes them. In Mike's photo, even though the train's speed cannot be determined, the same contrast is presented. I also like Bergie's shot as it shows up the bold power of the locomotives. The cemetary background reminds one of the fact that someday, even these powerful machines, as previous generations, all the way back to steam, will be put to rest.
In Erik's photo taken at Rochelle, there seems to be an extra "third" rail running beside the west bound track near the signal tower. This is not visible in the webcam view, which is too wide an angle and too small to pick up such detail. Does this really exist?
I've been out of town so I'm Late to the Party . . . but gosh, I'm not too impressed with either shot this month.
Train with highway and cars.
or
Train with cemetery in background.
OK, I've decided. I'm going with the second shot because my understanding is that this particular cemetery is a very FAMOUS AND POPULAR cemetery. In fact, there's a waiting list because people are just dyin' to get in.
A mile from the tracks, but I still hear the whistle! Cleveland, Tennessee
freightcarguy wrote: Nice shot, Eric! The line that train is on is BNSF's "Barstow (IL)" subdivision, running from Savanna to Galesburg - a single track railroad that sees a dozen or more trains a day. The ore train you caught is probably U-SEMBIR, (Steelton, MN to Birmingham, AL) which uses larger, traditional hoppers for the taconite pellets. The taconite train with the shorter ore cars is U-KEEMAD (Kewatin, MN to Madison, IL), which also traverses this line. Both of these trains run several times a week along with their northbound conterparts U-BIRSEM and U-KEEMAD.Tom Persoon
Nice shot, Eric! The line that train is on is BNSF's "Barstow (IL)" subdivision, running from Savanna to Galesburg - a single track railroad that sees a dozen or more trains a day. The ore train you caught is probably U-SEMBIR, (Steelton, MN to Birmingham, AL) which uses larger, traditional hoppers for the taconite pellets. The taconite train with the shorter ore cars is U-KEEMAD (Kewatin, MN to Madison, IL), which also traverses this line. Both of these trains run several times a week along with their northbound conterparts U-BIRSEM and U-KEEMAD.
Tom Persoon
Good to know. Thanks Tom!
Bergie
zardoz wrote: Erik's image is more in-your-face hard-core railroading. My main criticism is the faded colors of the entire image (Erik, you DID use a polarizing filter, didn't you?).
Erik's image is more in-your-face hard-core railroading. My main criticism is the faded colors of the entire image (Erik, you DID use a polarizing filter, didn't you?).
Nope, no polarizer in my bag. I think there were a few things added to the faded colors of my photo. First, it was around noon, meaning a high sun. Next, the lead unit had faded orange paint, not the more vivid BNSF orange. Finally, there wasn't a lot of color in that scene (without a vivid orange locomotive, that is)... the gravestones of the cemetery, the trees without leaves, the black or oxide red hopper cars... there's really nothing to go on there. Plus, the sky wasn't a sharp blue, but rather a dull grayish-blue (because again, it was high sun).
Plus, from what I know about the polarizer, you need just the right scene, with the sun at 90-degrees to what you're shooting. I'm not certain that would have worked in this particular situation... especially with high sun.
After seeing Arron Jors' Illinois Central shot using a polarizer in Volume 82, I'm definitely in the market for a polarizer. I should sell my scanner and replace it with a polarizer. It'd certainly see more action than my scanner does! (Just ask Mike... he, Mr. Scanner himself, loves asking "Well did you have your scanner on?" knowing full well that I probably did not.)
Thanks for the feedback, zardoz.
Welcome Back Erik.
Had to go with yours simply because seeing that loco leaning OUT of a flat curve reminds me of some of my old model rr layouts! ( a Lionel 4-4-2 doing 90 around O-27 corners?)
Eric, I couldn't vote for either as i wished you included the night shot (Northbound Canadian National coal train, Waukesha, Wisconsin.) as it was so sharp, it looked like a model train setup. (That's a compliment, right?)
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