Biweekly photo competition, Trackside with Trains.com, now live

[Matt Quandt]

10 photographers submitted images for Trackside with Trains.com, vol. 140. This round didn't have a theme, so the picture-takers could find and share any image from their collections.

We're tweaking Trackside's format, so look for some changes in the coming weeks.

View the selection and vote for your favorite here.

[selector]

It will be interesting for me to see the distribution of scores.  A couple of very nice photos in this larger than usual entry list, but I see that four already have a single vote each. 

-Crandell

[samfp1943]

Conflicted!

   Alex's shot of steam in the snow!  I'm a sucker for that kind of photo.

 " Mikey's" really nice, would have give it a first pick;

 if there had been some steam in the photo...AND snow!

The shame of this is there HAS to be a 'first pick',  I wish I had the eye for the photo compositions shown on these photo!

 Thanks.

[CShaveRR]

You're right! The photo-phaser was definitely set on "stun" this time!

I liked the shots of Tom, Kent, and Mike in particular. No subject, just trains. In the end, I picked Mike's. The thumbnail doesn't do it justice--but it, too, "pops"! (And, truth be told, the choice of railroad may have had an influence.)

Kat, yours wins the vote for most nostalgic for me--in my younger railfanning days I'd wait trackside for the local to come to where I'd "help them" with the switching (my background was mostly marshy, instead of wooded, and every one of those switches that I threw hundreds of times for them is now gone).

Drew, I hope you stood back--'way back!--after shooting that CSX shot. I mean, just look at that track!

[tree68]

It came down to Kathi and Drew, with Kat getting my vote.  Otto and Kent get honorable mention (and a lot of people are liking Otto's entry as I posted my vote).  Alex's entry was a predictable "steam in the snow" shot.  The rest are all excellent entries, but they didn't pique my interest.

[zardoz]

A very nice group of photos.  Each of them had some particular characteristic that could have led to it becoming my pick.  I was having trouble deciding when my wife walked past me as I was perusing the images; the shot that she "oooed' the most about was Tom's. And as I was ever so slightly leaning in a simialr direction, her reaction confirmed my feelings.

Voted for Tom.

I wonder what changes are coming to Trackside? 

[LVJJJ]

Wow! lots of nice pictures of trains.  Tom's is absolutely gorgeous!  Calendar photo if I've ever seen one.

[DadH]

Tom got my vote... have never seen such vibrant colors or calmer waters for a reflective shot. This will be my laptop's new wallpaper if Tom permits!!! Muy Excellente' as they say in the old country.

Haven't we seen Mayes' "Heber Creeper" shot before? And should'nt entries be applicable to the current season? (It was 107 here today).

[Modelcar]

I was about to choose Toms beautiful reflection photo, and then enlarged David's front view of the oncoming steamer as it passes thru the bridge.  This was a great collection of beautiful RR photos.

When I enlarged David's photo, the sharp details all over the view was awesome...!  That is what I made my decision on. 

[Choo Choo Aussie]

Wow!  These are getting tougher and tougher to pick.  All great photos.  I would go to pick one and then I would see another and so it went on.  After looking at each photo several times I finally went with Kent's.  I liked the close shot of the front of the train and being on a curve can also see what is coming.  Great photo!

[oltmannd]

I'm a sucker for the kind of symmetry in Tom's shot. Being frame in the silhouette of the pine trees sealed the deal for me. (Although the Heber steam in snow shot was awfully seductive....)

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Being a daily commuter of some seniority, I had to go with Otto's shot.  New suburban equipment is always a treat.  For me, this goes back to IC's Highliners and South Shore's stainless steel MU cars.  I also appreciate his attitude that what is brand new today is already a part of railroad history.

[loadmaster747]

First, thanks to all the photographers for submitting some of their favorite photos, and the stories accompanying them.  Kathi and Mike, you came very close to garnering my vote.  But Tom Danneman's calendar-worthy shot of "open" hoppers out in the wide-"open" spaces took the prize.  The setting was perfect... it wouldn't matter if it was a train, a farmhouse or a lightning-struck tree, in that setting it would be a winner.

[drgw17]

Eenie, meenie...well, not quite. Although conventional, Tom's photo is the one I'd want in my slide show. I can't take my eyes off the fabulous reflection, the striking color and contrast, the luck of two matched, clean units. In other words, all the things that fell into place for him (and that I normally discount in my scoring). Having said that, Drew wins points for NOT being conventional (good thing the train was on the main and not on that dipsy doodle siding rail). Great "story" shot, but difficult to look at for too long with everything else out of focus. Kathi, nice job at 1/80th of a second! And isn't it amazing what we can shoot at 3200. Oldies like me, who grew up with 64 and 125 still can't get over it. Alex? Nothing at all wrong, my friend--wish I'd been there--but it feels like a rerun after so many other Utah/snow shots. An enjoyable bunch, though, for sure. Thanks, guys!

[gapotter09]

Maybe my old eyes are not what they use to be, but it appears the Trout Creek photo might have had some touchup work done to it. It seems reflections are not equal from the water surfaces.  Anyway, it is a very nice photo.

 

[LU-Trains]

 I know it's just the luck of the draw whose picture shows up first, but really . . after you see Tom's calendar shot everything just seems to pale by comparison . . . And it's a shame, because there's some really neat photos this week - (Well except for that snowy Utah picture . . .enough already with the snow and steam engines!!) - but I just can't wipe the first shot out of my head!!!! 

 

Tom gets my vote this week.

[tdanneman]

gapotter,

Thanks for the nice comment. Just to be clear, I didn't manipulate my photo (other than the typical stuff you do when converting a RAW file). I was amazed how incredibly calm it was this time. Even a fish surfacing would cause a ripple in the water for quite some time. This body of water is a small inlet that was created when the Northern Pacific made a line change in 1957 for the Noxon Rapids Dam. The railroad forms a small causeway separating the inlet from the Clark Fork River (which can be seen just behind the locomotive). Since the water doesn’t have a current, and is probably sheltered from the wind somewhat, this location is wonderful for reflection shots.

Tom

[switch7frg]

Davids picand description is well put.The enlargement and various views  around the pic  really freeze details nicely. ~~ Good shot . My vote is for Dave .   Jim

[Otto Vondrak]

CSSHEGEWISCH

Being a daily commuter of some seniority, I had to go with Otto's shot.  New suburban equipment is always a treat.  For me, this goes back to IC's Highliners and South Shore's stainless steel MU cars.  I also appreciate his attitude that what is brand new today is already a part of railroad history.

 

 

Thanks very much! It's nice to know that "suburban service" seems to be a universal language, whether you're in New York or the Midwest! There is certainly some stiff competition in this round...

-otto-

[cx500]

 The first time I looked, a few days ago, it was a toss-up between Tom and Kathi.  Getting back to look at them, somehow Tom has managed to capture the quiet atmosphere of that place and time and impart it to the viewer.  Not only do we have the train and the still water, even the mountain range in the background has a misty dreaminess to it that I can appreciate.  It is more than a calendar shot, and deserves to be printed large and framed in a place of honor.

Tom it is.

John