Trackside with Trains.com Forums members: Vol. 1

[CNW 6000]

I thought we could use a picture thread for us readers to submit some of our favorite shots to public scrutiny.  It seems fair, as Eric and Mike do this on a regular basis!

Here's my shot. I was in Neenah, WI heading to a family members house when I heard a loud whistle. Figuring on some action I grabbed my camera and headed for the tracks. Then two engines came into view, two UP engines! Not something I normally see as it's CN trackage so I took this shot. Honestly it turned out better than I thought it would. Thoughts?

[Modelcar]

....That's a nice early morning or right at sundown shot....Like everything except the snow....Someone was even working a broom...

It's time for snow to go away for this season.

[CNW 6000]

That was actually early evening in March.  Agreed on being done with snow/cold.

[Jjohnieray]

Seen that UP group yesterday morning in Neenah going north.Was surprised to see it.

[Datafever]

A nice shot.  I like the way that the water tower "frames" the front of the unit.  Wish list: Move the shot to the left, getting less of the background hoppers and more of the foreground consist.

[CNW 6000]

Funny thing about that->there wasn't any consist.  Just two engines. 

[CopCarSS]

Nice shot, Dan. Since it's up for critique, just a couple thoughts:

1) The contrast between the loco in the shadow, and the wonderful "Golden Hour" light is a little harsh. You might be able to play with it a little bit in Photoshop and equalize it a bit. The really warm light tells the viewer that it's an early morning shot, so the eye is a little more forgiving in the difference of sun/shadow...but I think dropping the contrast a bit would help even more.

2) It seems like it was taken with a wide angle lens. I don't know what you had behind you, but if you could have backed off, and used a telephoto, it would have cured a couple things. The biggest effect it would have had is lessening the impact of the telephone pole that obstructs the view of the water tower a bit. Additionally, it would have compressed the shot, and linked the train to it's background a bit more.

Like I said, overall, I like the shot. Just thought I'd post a couple thoughts.

Meanwhile, how about we continue the Golden Hour theme with this shot:

This is a shot that I took at Rocky siding last year (before the UP posted it to no end). While it has some technical flaws (glare on the nose of the loco; shooting the "dark" side of the train; paint job that gets lost in the background; doesn't quite follow the rule of thirds, etc.) it's still a favorite of mine. I'm a sucker for good light, and I just barely got this one (30 seconds earlier, and I would'nt have had sunshine on the loco), so I think that fact adds to the appeal for me. Despite it's failings, this one gets a lot of hits on my website, too, so I guess it does OK.

[selector]

I like both images, and thanks for the idea.

Without my making any claims for my abilities or experience, or about the photo, I will just say that I like how this shot turned out.  It is an ex-CNR 2-8-0 now in excursion service by the Kamloops Heritage Railway in Kamloops, BC.

[CNW 6000]

Thanks for those inputs.  I just have an Olympus D540 digital camera.  Nothing fancy.  I was that close that I was zoomed out all the way.  I like that head on UP shot of yours DF.  It's 'real'.  Also...that steam engine running gears shot is neat, too.  I've got some more shots I'll post soon.  As soon as they get uploaded.  Anyone else got any shots?

[Murphy Siding]

. Then two engines came into view, two UP engines! Not something I normally see as it's CN trackage so I took this shot.

  Who's engines would you usually expect to see on these tracks?

[CNW 6000]

Canadian National is the owner and operator of that yard.  (CN or Wisconsin Central or Illinois Central are the trains I usually see.)

[edblysard]

These two might be my favorites...

The 3985, on the way to Bay City, Texas, running on the old MoPac line.

And a parked UP at night, with the cab lights left on...lets you get a look inside.

[CNW 6000]

Ed those are very neat shots.  The 3985 picture is a cool perspective.  It seems that the engine is a towering beast to be feared and respected at the same time.  I also like the second one because you can see stars just behind the engine.  The lights on makes it seem to have eyes, or something like that.

Here is one I found of the WSOR where they've just flown past me up a hill in a snowstorm. Kinda neat.

[blhanel]

Great shots, guys.

Here's one that I kinda like from my recent visit to Rochelle- a westbound autorack hits the diamonds.

 

[CNW 6000]

Obviously (DUH!) a daytime shot!  Neat angle.  This is a colorful shot, IMHO.  IC, UP, and WC!

[spokyone]

What a great idea for a pic thread Dan. I enjoy taking RR pics occasionally. I liked this one over in Boone IA. Click on image to enlarge!

[blhanel]

Kate Shelley!  Nice shot, Bob.

[spokyone]

my favorites...

 

a parked UP at night, with the cab lights left on...lets you get a look inside.

Ed. An outstanding pic. One of the best. I looked at the camera data. 10 sec shutter speed. But the time shows 9:37AM.  SHould it have been PM?
Thanks for sharing

[CNW 6000]

I am hoping that this thread gets some good reviews.  It's neat to see what others see, even with familiar RRs and even locations.  With many people come many perspectives.  My next idea for this is to go by state or RR.  Thoughts?  It'd go something like 'Trackside with forum members: (State Name) or (RR name).  I think that'd be neat.