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.
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.
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