Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 79

[Bergie]

Hello! 

I just posted the latest installment of Trackside with Erik and Mike in our section within the Railroad Reference area of TrainsMag.com.  Read Trackside with Erik and Mike Volume 79.

To vote for your favorite railroad photo, visit the top of the Trackside with Erik and Mike section on TrainsMag.com. Click here to vote.

Add your comments about this week's photos here.

Thanks!  Erik

[blhanel]

No contest this time- Erik's shot gets my vote.  Out of the ordinary in many respects.

[Modelcar]

....Vote goes to Mike's photo.  Like the composition of photo best between the two.

Item:  Track looks crapy in both photos....

[CNW 6000]

Went with Bergie this time. 

Mike's shot was neat in it's own right and I've seen that engine personally.  I like that it's a shot seemingly 'peeking' from the inside of a pine tree.  Neat effect, but it just didn't 'grab' me.

Bergie's shot offers a different perspective on RRing: thinking of what the crew is seeing/experiencing.  I'd say it's fair to say that more railfanning shots are 'wedge' shots or broadside, roster-type shots.  With the light right, exhaust visible, background in view (offering a neat one at that) that photo seemed more able to get and hold my attention.

 

Bergie what're you going to be doing in the future?  When's the 'last day'?  Moving up at Kalmbach or moving on?  Either way, best wishes. 

[senshi]

Went with Mike for this one.  Also I kinda like the "High Iron Chef" idea.

[CopCarSS]

Voted for Bergie. The composition on Mike's shot just didn't speak to me at all. I liked the different perspective on Bergie's. BTW, Crescent probably looked a little more like this yesterday:

That was taken a couple years ago, but I'm sure the conditions were similar. They probably got around a foot or so of the white stuff yesterday!

[Rex Beistle]

I prefer Mike's photo this time.  Working hard on a branch line can be a good subject, and I think it was well done in Mike's photo.  The dips in the foreshortened rail joints seem to show years of work and the passage of many wheels.

I have ridden the Moffatt line out of Denver, and Erik's photo just does not turn my crank.

In addition, it looks as though Erik may have climbed atop a car on the siding to take his photo.  If that was the case, it is a poor example and was trespassing as well.

Rex Beistle, Northern Colorado

[CopCarSS]

Rex,

Crescent Siding is in a cut and Eric is on top of the north side of the cut. It's right at the level that the top of a car would be.

I'll see if I can find a picture showing the cut a little bit.

[mandelswamp]

While I prefer the CN and CP over UP and Mike had a very nice shot, I was greatly impressed by the Erik's fabulous view of the Rockies.  So I voted for Erik's photo.  I hope that Erik provides more details of where he was standing for his photo during the recap.  It sure is a might impressive spot!

[Rocket Man]

I liked Mike's composure, but like Erik's "over the shoulder" perspective even better. I have spent time at the very same spot on the north side of this cut "waitin' for a train".

[islandbridgejct]

Well, that was a tight contest. Mike's shot was railroading in the woods; Erik's was the call of far away places. I particularly liked the way the mountains shimmered in the diesel haze. In the end I went for the woods: I liked the way the composition formed an X with the train sitting on top of the intersection, but with those mountains calling out, I wonder if I got it wrong. Seems like 3 out of 4 people think so anyway! It'll be a shame to lose Erik, but I'll look forward to the new competition format, whatever it is.

[asnjoe24]

As many have already made clear, it is a sad thing to hear that Erik will be moving on after the next edition of Trackside, and that is making this vote all the more critical for me (and I'm sure for others).

And yes, my choice for this photo is indeed Erik's UP shot. Not just because he's leaving, but because of the mountain scenery. The heat exhaust from the train does kind of take away from the shot a little (well, kinda depends on how you look at it: if you like that kind of smoked glass look, it might even add to it), but still the view is quite catching. It kind of made me think of the grade climb on Raton Pass, another place where one might see such a view at the right time of season.

Mike's CN shot has great approach feel (not necessarily "comin' at ya," but more like "slow train coming up hill"), and the color turn of the trees, and the hazy grey overcast add to it. One of the two critical things that made me choose Erik's over Mike's was that it was not possible to see a lot of the rest of the consist in Mike's. Given what he said about it, I wanted to see more of it. This probably would have been tough, though, because the curve in the track would have blocked the view of what we can see if the shot had been taken a few moments later. Still, it is a good shot.

I've said before that I usually judge a shot on what it contains rather than who took it, but admittedly, Erik's impending departure did give him the slight edge in this week's vote for me, so this is the other critical thing that carried my choice the rest of the way to him.

- Bryan

 

[steve14]

I find Mike's shot more interesting, but that's just my roots speaking. CWR in the mountains is nice, but the branch lines can give you fits. The mountain railroad gets all the money and attention and the branch goes begging. I would be looking hard at that pair of joints in the far rail just to the right of the sign post. Indicates a broken rail at one time that was repaired with joint bars leaving a very short peice of rail that will just continue to pound down.

Another thing would be to have to walk that curve with a track level and see how much rock and roll is developed by the series of low joints. Just walking it tells one story. The whole story comes when you take long nails and set them under each joint, just touching the bottom of the rail and watch a train such a this go over it. The train pushes down the nail and you add that amount of deflection to what you measured before the train and you can get some scary numbers when you look at 49CFR213.63.

While there is less tolerance for deviations on the good CWR track in the mountains, it is often the slow speed track that will kill you. Meridian & Bigbee for example.

But then I'm just a track (and bridge) guy at heart

[gapotter09]

I agree that the maintenance factor is $$$.  I also noticed the very short section of rail.  One of these days the Roadmaster is going to get the 'short end of the stick' ( I mean rail). And again, management uses an ounce of prevention to obtain a pound of cure.

 

[Anonymous]

Very nice shots guys!  Although the lone GP-40 rounding the curve looked very good, I had to go with the up Scenic shot where it looks like you're looking over the shoulder of the engines.  Both are excellent shots, but the UP grabbed me from the get-go.  Erik, I wish you luck in your endevors in the future, and I do hope you'll do guest apperances in future editions.

                                                      Kofy

[Bergie]

In addition, it looks as though Erik may have climbed atop a car on the siding to take his photo.  If that was the case, it is a poor example and was trespassing as well.

Rex Beistle, Northern Colorado

For the record, I was not, I repeat, WAS NOT standing on top of a car. I would never do something so stupid.

As Chris mentioned, there's a cut there. I was on the top of the cut, giving me the elevated vantage point. 

In the future, please ask instead of implicating. I don't want someone to read your post and walk away from the forum thinking that is what I actually did.

Thanks,
Erik

[Bergie]

Oh, Rex, one other thing...

Thanks for reading Trackside, voting, and commenting. 

Erik

[DadH]

Let's call it a draw... both good shots, well composed and each showing a particular aspect of railroading one may or may not get a chance to see or experience.

And thanks for the extremely satisfying rebuttal to the implied trespassing scenerio; And your would be accuser owes you big time

And best wishes for a happy ????? after Trains. DadH

 

[Chris Owens]

Great Job Erik!!!!!!!

[DennisHeld]

Both were really good scenics. I voted the CN shot because it 'spoke' to me. Besides, Bergie must have been standing on a car, or something..... (I'm only kidding here!)

[bnsfkline]

WHAT!?!?!? BERGIES LEAVING!!!!!!!!!  -=runs and grabs some things while making a ruckus=- Oh no you on't buster, you'r staying right here! -=throws bergie on a chair, ties him up with rope and ample amount of duct tape...all while positioning his camera in front of him with a mouth actuated shutter=-

 Bergie, you are staying right there!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the other hand...good luck with your further exploits in life and we hope that you will come back here often and visit with us!

[StephenDx]

Why do you guys make it so difficult???  I liked both of the photos.

Mike's as it shows railroading at its hardest working.

Erik's for the unusual shot over the shoulder looking at what the crew sees.

Hence my vote this week went to Erik.

The thought crossed my mind to vote for Mike as some may vote for Erik because he is moving on. But that is not what I have perceived the column to be about. I see it aas being about the best photo for the volumn, so to Erik it goes (my . Oh, sorry, we do not have 2 cents in NZ anymore, nor 5c for that matter )

[Stephen Clark]

Congratulations on two great photo's. Mike's photo was interesting with the heavily jointed rail including the really short section. I can understand why it only has a 10 mph speed limit. Erik's photo was excellent with that view. What ashame it isn't Rio Grande power on the train instead. I suppose UP is better than nothing. I voted for Erik's photo. Good luck in your future endevours Erik Sorry to lose you in this coloum

[zardoz]

Not to take anything away from Erik's photo, but the scenery in Colorado is such that it's almost impossible to NOT take a decent photo there.  Just point and shoot.  Of course, like anywhere else, to get an exceptional image requires planning and patience. Erik's image is nice, but not exceptional.

Ah, but southeast Wisconsin--now there is a challenging location!  Mike's image is also not exceptional, but considering all the factors, I feel as though Mike captured the essence of rural railroading quite nicely.

[Bergie]

First, thank you all for your well wishes. I greatly appreciate your comments.

However, I didn't say I was leaving Kalmbach.  (You'll still see my around the forums.)  I'm simply stepping away from Trackside on a regular basis... I'm sure I'll have the itch to come back and harass Mike from time to time.

Erik

[Bergie]

I prefer Mike's photo this time.  Working hard on a branch line can be a good subject, and I think it was well done in Mike's photo.  The dips in the foreshortened rail joints seem to show years of work and the passage of many wheels.

I have ridden the Moffatt line out of Denver, and Erik's photo just does not turn my crank.

In addition, it looks as though Erik may have climbed atop a car on the siding to take his photo.  If that was the case, it is a poor example and was trespassing as well.

Rex Beistle, Northern Colorado

Hey Rex,

I just noticed your letter and photo in Railway Post Office of the December 2007 issue of Model Railroader (page 26). Nice work!

Erik

[lhtalbot]

I decided not to let Erik's news influence my vote. Both photos are good, but I was more impressed with the Rockies shot than the Wisconsin shot, so it got my vote.

Erik.....can we expect to see your vote & comment from time to time if the format stays somewhat the same? Or maybe that would be a little tacky.......

 I have a technical question for you guys re your cameras....do the Canons have a shut off feature that puts them in "standby mode" if you wait too long between shots? If so, is there a way to prevent it from happening? My Nikon keeps going black at the most in-opportune times. I have searched the owners manual but haven't found anything useful. Do you or any of the posters have any suggestions?

Thanks guys,  I really enjoy this feature. Sorry to see Erik exit, but glad the feature will stay.

Larry in Wauwatosa

[Rex Beistle]

In addition, it looks as though Erik may have climbed atop a car on the siding to take his photo.  If that was the case, it is a poor example and was trespassing as well.

Rex Beistle, Northern Colorado

As Chris mentioned, there's a cut there. I was on the top of the cut, giving me the elevated vantage point. 

In the future, please ask instead of implicating. I don't want someone to read your post and walk away from the forum thinking that is what I actually did.

Thanks,
Erik

I apologize for my statement.

I cannot undo what I said, and your photograph cannot be changed.  A one liner in the forum, such as "I was on the top of the cut (at Crescent), giving me the (an) elevated vantage point." would have forever eliminated any question on my part or anyone who has seen or will see your photo in the future.  Your photograph will long outlive my ill-considered remark.

Rex

[Bergie]

I decided not to let Erik's news influence my vote. Both photos are good, but I was more impressed with the Rockies shot than the Wisconsin shot, so it got my vote.

Erik.....can we expect to see your vote & comment from time to time if the format stays somewhat the same? Or maybe that would be a little tacky.......

 I have a technical question for you guys re your cameras....do the Canons have a shut off feature that puts them in "standby mode" if you wait too long between shots? If so, is there a way to prevent it from happening? My Nikon keeps going black at the most in-opportune times. I have searched the owners manual but haven't found anything useful. Do you or any of the posters have any suggestions?

Thanks guys,  I really enjoy this feature. Sorry to see Erik exit, but glad the feature will stay.

Larry in Wauwatosa

Hi Larry,

I'm sure I'll vote and comment, even if I'm not involved. Don't worry, Mike and I are tacky to one another all the time.

As for our Canon 20D cameras... Yes, we have control over how much time elapses before it goes to sleep. I don't have my camera with me today in the office, so I don't recall the presets offered by Canon 20D camera. I think it's line 1 minute, 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 8 minutes, and so on, and I believe mine is set at 8 minutes. I will double check.

With the Canon 20D it's not that big of a deal, because it wakes up rather quickly. It used to be a minor problem for me with my Canon 300D Digital Rebel. It took a little longer to wake up. When comparing cameras, check out the "start up time" performance. I just looked at BHphoto.com, and the Canon 20D start up time is only .2 second.  So, if I'm sitting around waiting for a train and the camera goes into sleep mode, it wakes up almost instantly.

Start up time probably isn't the biggest selling point for a camera when comparing it against other cameras, but it sure means a lot when you have a train coming at you and the camera's taking it's time to wake up.

Bergie

[daveklepper]

Rather than start a new thread, I wish to make a suggestion to Bergie regarding the Trains News Wire.

Lets have a button on each news report that lets us go directly to the following news report without having to return to the news menue of the particular date.

Possibly international connections are slower than what happens purely in the USA, but sometimes make the two moves seems to take forever, and reducing it to one move would be a big help.