The latest round of the Trackside with Trains biweekly photo competition is live. Eight photographers, including reader Rick Abramson of Trumbull, Connecticut, submitted images for the theme: Winter.
View the selection and vote for your favorite.
-Matt Quandt Online Content Editor Kalmbach Publishing Co.
...I selected Mike's photo rendition of Winter. Not necessarily of it being superior to other photos....but reading to what the action is about, and the conductor seems to be trying to offset the cold Winter by bundling up secure in warm clothing.
I can imagine his thoughts with just a few days yet to be doing this.
I noted the strange appearance of the coupler and at first wondered what I was seeing, until I read the caption with the photo. Appears we're seeing where the cutting torch cut loose the connected car to free this one.
A very nice collection of "pretty" Winter railroad scenes. Just thought the above rendition fit the "Winter" theme, and what Winter can do to railroading, in this case.
Quentin
I am a sucker for steam, except this time I didn't select either of the two of that nature. Nice photos, to be sure, but Aaron's, with the thickets beside the tracks and the nice colour on the nose of the diesel...it evoked a stronger response in me, and that wins the vote.
Crandell
Where's the shoulder high snow drifting into the path of everything that moves? Where's the manpower battleing the weather from cab and ground? Where's the dark shadows of a snowey night or the pristinely laid new snow waiting to be desturbed? Where's the real drama of winter railroading? So I settled for Alex's giant plume of steam and smoke trailing back over the train set in a winterscape. Not the best winter photo, but best of the selection. (Mike Roque's did have one man out coupling cars, but he looked too comfortable!)
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
Winter, eh? It’s going to be pretty hard to find a picture with the power of that guy out in the freezing snow repairing that rail joint we had last year, but let’s take a look at this first new batch. (Gosh I wonder if there’s going to be a red engine in the white snow picture anywhere in this group?)Well, Aaron and Drew did not disappoint me. Red on white. I’m guessing we’re only due for 50 or so more pictures with this combination before springtime arrives in the north. (Admittedly this is the BEST color contrast you can get in railroading.)The reader submission was pretty and I appreciated the other shots, but I was drawn to the steam engines this week. Alex has a pretty great shot, but I always seem to mark down these “posed” shots for sort-of “cheating” on “catching a train in action”. I know you have to be a GREAT photographer even in these circumstances, but I just like the “randomness” of photography.I’m voting for Ken’s picture for PURELY PERSONAL REASONS. I lived in the Grapevine, Texas area for nearly 20 years. I rode the Tarantula many many times between Grapevine and the Fort Worth stockyards and I, too, miss this great Locomotive! Riding behind the present GP20 doesn’t give the same “romantic” flair to the ride. Plus, I’ll bet I could drive down Highway 26 and find this exact place where Ken was standing for the shot. Great memories in this picture to me. Thanks Ken!
A mile from the tracks, but I still hear the whistle! Cleveland, Tennessee
Yea the steam got me too! How can you have a winter shot that is really classic without steam shooting into the air. Am I showing my age? Laughs! Alex's Photo struck me right away, it could be a x-mas card. Ken's was vintage and awesome too, so it was a hard choice. I don't consider these shots any easier then others. I voted for Alex with Ken running a close second. The reader submission was good also, because of the depot and setting.
Roque's pic was the only one with a person in it. I think too often we focus on the hardware, and not the railroaders.
Jack Fuller
Man oh man, it is hard to vote against steam engines in winter with snow and smoke. However I sided with the P&W and voted for Tom Nanos' excellent shot and reflection. Nice photos all around.
Having enjoyed Trains Magazine and look forward to the Vote.I am beginning to loose interest in voting any longer. As soon as some one submits a steam engine it gets votes just because it is steam. I like steam also but I look at large pictures and weigh the effect they present to the eye. At 66 years old and memories of Black Behemots at the PRR yard my parents worked at I hold these first memories close. Abraham's photo got my vote. It gave me an impression of coming home for Christmas. To all Happy Holidays.Brad Busse
Walkin' the Rails
Jack, I have to agree the human element is all to often overlooked. I would like to see more photos of the crew boarding the locomotive, or shots of Engineers sitting in the cab etc. Interior shots would be nice too!
This was a tough one. They all say , "Winter" chillingly. I too am a steam fan and that made it all the more difficult. That aid, however, I voted for Rick Abramsons' pic. That beautiful depot jumped out at me. Then reading Richs' comment sold me. It's HIS train!! Gotta love it!!
Hey Brad,
I read your comment and my thoughts are that you shouldn't stop voting just because some of us vote for steam sometimes, that's like letting other people dictate your actions. I don't vote for steam just because it's steam personally, I like diesel power too and have voted numerous times for diesel. If steam is close to your heart why would you get so upset that you wouldn't vote because someone likes steam? Just trying to figure out what you meant. Some people like the Vintage stuff because that's the history of railroading and has a certain romanticism about it. Bottom line with me is looking at the composition with an artist's eye. Is there a message? How is it framed regarding perspective shadow and light.
http://santaferailroad.blogspot.com/
I made that statement because so many times there will be 8 photos and only 1 will be steam and it wins 40% of the vote. Don't get me wrong I would vote for a photo containing Big Boy 4017 no matter what.the 4017 belongs to my grandson. When we go to the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay I tell him that is his engine. When his dad makes a place by his house we will bring it home and put it in the yard. I know that will only work till he gets older but I like keeping the desire in place.
Brad Busse
I like Rick's photograph.
Snow on the rails, snow on the pilot, snow on the trees, snow on the depot roof, snow on the trees, and snow falling - clearly winter. And lights, lights in the depot, lights on the locomotive.
People, sure there are people. In the depot, asking the crew what it was like where they came from. And the crew, asking what the people in the depot might know about what was ahead.
Yes indeed, winter. And with just a little imagination left over from the days of reading and listening to real radio programs, I can see past the freight train and think of children and grandchildren taking the train home for Christmas and having hot spiced tea with family and friends.
I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.
Rex Beistle in Northern Colorado
It took me a while to decide which one to vote for, all of them were well within the theme. But in the end I went for steam, Alex got my vote. To me it struck as classic.
Very hard to decide this time. All said 'winter' quite well. Although it is good to remember the old steam trains, for these photos I feel should be in the present day and not posed shots of a steam train that only runs at certain times. The one that caught my eye the most was Aaron Jors. His depicted winter very well.
Have a great Christmas all and keep up the great shots for next year.
Why can't all viewers submit something just for competition, no prizes like the annual photo contest?
Mr. Railman Why can't all viewers submit something just for competition, no prizes like the annual photo contest?
Perhaps an "all reader submission" competition would be in order some time.
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...
Probably won't happen because logistically it would be a nightmare for them to sift through the thousands of photos they would get if it was all reader submissions. This way they can just sift through the one category of reader submission and call on the Professional staff guys for the rest..Make sense? Also lets not complain about a good thing. We all get to see great photos and vote on them, download them or whatever.
To those of you who commented so nicely on my photo of NX-10, thank you! Much appreciated.
Rick Abramson
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