....Observation: I'm wondering why the caboose in Kathi's shot with the conductor standing on the "porch"....has lube boxes {on the trucks}, without lids to close them off. Have they been converted to tapered rollers and the lube not needed anymore....? And what is that round item that looks a bit like a pulley on the nearest truck....?
Quentin
Modelcar wrote: ....Observation: I'm wondering why the caboose in Kathi's shot with the conductor standing on the "porch"....has lube boxes {on the trucks}, without lids to close them off. Have they been converted to tapered rollers and the lube not needed anymore....? And what is that round item that looks a bit like a pulley on the nearest truck....?
You've got it right, Quentin--in the early 1980s, just a few short years before most of them were done away with entirely, almost all CNW way cars were totally rebuilt with fewer windows, electrical power, and other amenities. This particular car must have been re-trucked, because it would have had roller bearings to begin with (no doubt all of them had roller bearings after the rebuilding). The electrical generator was powered by a series of belts connected to the axle; that's what you're seeing there.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Wow. I'm stunned and tickled pink that you guys like my photo. I thought for sure that Mike was going to bury me with his nighttime steam shots. Thanks a ton for all the encouragement!!
Kathi
Its good that you are now back again and Happy New Year toall. I voted for Mikes photo this time as the ghostly steam caught my attention more. Kathi your photo's are excellent but had to go with Mikes. Keep up the good work
Steve C
I make it a point not to read any comments before voting or commenting myself, so I'm anxious to see what others thought.
Both photos were exceptional (my opinion).
I had to set aside my Soo Line and steam prejudices to vote for Kathi's stunning shot of the WS winter scene.
Had Mike chosen the grade crossing view of the Soo steam, I might have voted differently. His contest shot looked unnatural (almost airbrushed) with the steam and smoke drifting forward rather than back across the locomotive. Whether that's a valid criticism, I'm not sure...but it bothered me.
Another quirky preference of mine is landscape shots over portrait. Sure...there are a few occasions when the latter is preferable...but far fewer than landscape. Again, just my opinion.
Anyhow, both entries were great shots and excellent examples of winter rail photography.
TJB - Nashville, TN
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
Even though Mike's shot was 'staged', it still caught my eye due to its unique attributes: steam power, night shot, cold temps, good smoke, and the old coach behind. While I liked some of the other steam shots better, the entry was much more interesting (and difficult to produce).
Kathi's shot is certainly nice, as are her other shots. I especially like her use of 'portrait' mode. However, her entry somehow lacked 'punch'; perhaps it was the gray skies. And it seemed to have too much foreground, rendering the train a bit too small in relation to the bridge.
All in all, a very nice group of photos from the both of you.
I think Mike could have picked a better shot amongst those we saw. Unfortunately, Kathi's was much better and she got my vote. Way to go gal!!!
Doug Volk
Well Guys,
My heart is in steam, but, I love the red against the winter background.....Kathi gets this vote!
Chuck
Well I have to say that having been there for much of the 1003 action (and now that a full month has gone by, I have finally received my slides back from the processor!), that Ms Kube gave Mike Yuhas a genuine run for the money. I would not have thought that possible since I have been admiring that shot of Mike's for weeks. Kathi found a wonderful spot for a photo and that is a big part of what makes a train photograph great. And WSOR red does have a nice way of popping out of a snowy scene.
A few comments. First, consider Mike Yuhas, the suffering artist. It was bad enough chasing the 1003 in the cold and snow that Friday night only to have the crew go dead. That's when Keith Schmidt and I and the rest of our group gave up. But to actually stay up for the arrival in Plymouth when the temperature really dipped is heroic. Someone above commented in their post that they did not care for the odd appearance of the smoke and steam due to the time exposure. I am here to tell you, that effect is not due to the time exposure. It was so cold the smoke and steam were freezing in midair and then falling to the ground like shards of broken glass.
Second comment is that a friend who has NO interest in trains but is an avid photographer and has traveled the world to get the shots he wants reacted to Mike's shot by telling me that it was an example of how truly fine grained film still looks better than a digital photo. When I told him it was a digital photo (and he himself shoots digital exclusively) he was shocked at what could be achieved.
Obviously based on the comments and the voting, there is something about Kathi's photo that people are finding appealing, something they can relate to. Perhaps they themselves have had the good fortune to meet the fetching Ms. Kube. If this competition is to continue, Mike Yuhas is simply going to have to get in touch with his feminine side ....
Dave Nelson
dknelson wrote: Well I have to say that having been there for much of the 1003 action (and now that a full month has gone by, I have finally received my slides back from the processor!), that Ms Kube gave Mike Yuhas a genuine run for the money. I would not have thought that possible since I have been admiring that shot of Mike's for weeks. Kathi found a wonderful spot for a photo and that is a big part of what makes a train photograph great. And WSOR red does have a nice way of popping out of a snowy scene.A few comments. First, consider Mike Yuhas, the suffering artist. It was bad enough chasing the 1003 in the cold and snow that Friday night only to have the crew go dead. That's when Keith Schmidt and I and the rest of our group gave up. But to actually stay up for the arrival in Plymouth when the temperature really dipped is heroic. Someone above commented in their post that they did not care for the odd appearance of the smoke and steam due to the time exposure. I am here to tell you, that effect is not due to the time exposure. It was so cold the smoke and steam were freezing in midair and then falling to the ground like shards of broken glass. Second comment is that a friend who has NO interest in trains but is an avid photographer and has traveled the world to get the shots he wants reacted to Mike's shot by telling me that it was an example of how truly fine grained film still looks better than a digital photo. When I told him it was a digital photo (and he himself shoots digital exclusively) he was shocked at what could be achieved. Obviously based on the comments and the voting, there is something about Kathi's photo that people are finding appealing, something they can relate to. Perhaps they themselves have had the good fortune to meet the fetching Ms. Kube. If this competition is to continue, Mike Yuhas is simply going to have to get in touch with his feminine side .... Dave Nelson
Thanks for sharing more about that evening, Dave. I'm shocked you and Keith gave up so early... oh wait... I was probably at home, with a fire in the fireplace, watching Deadliest Catch.
Bergie
Bergie wrote: Wow. Unless there's a big swing in Mike's favor tonight (after everyone has read the Trains e-mail newsletter), this is going to go down as the biggest upset in the history of Trackside (in my opinion). I thought this was going to be the most lopsided victory in our history... just shows what I know! Bergie
Wow. Unless there's a big swing in Mike's favor tonight (after everyone has read the Trains e-mail newsletter), this is going to go down as the biggest upset in the history of Trackside (in my opinion). I thought this was going to be the most lopsided victory in our history... just shows what I know!
It's currently 60% to 40% in Kathi's favor. Almost four years later and it still holds true... just when you think you know what the people will like, they jump up and completely surprise you.
My impression of Mike this morning...
Keep your chins up Mike.
D-Halv wrote:I am still speechless...completely stunned...did not see this coming...
Perhaps the people that work for magazines look at the skill required to take the picture, while the people that buy the magazines judge photographs by how good they look. Kathi's picture looks better.
Now this is what it's about. It's nice to see awesome photography making a comeback in Trackside. There have been some really great shots in the recent editions.
It was really tough to pick this week, but I really liked Mike's #1003 shot. Kathi, yours is a great example of winter railroading, but it seemed a little soft to me and didn't draw me in like Mike's shot. Mike, I really liked the good range of tone throughout your shot. Not only was the shot exceptional, the post-processing brought out the best of it. Nicely done.
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
CopCarSS wrote: ....the post-processing brought out the best of it. Nicely done.
....the post-processing brought out the best of it. Nicely done.
WHAT? I thought these shots were supposed to be "right out of the camera".
For me Kathi is a clear winner. There it is - the atmosphere, good angle, good composition... Even her shot of the #1003 is the best of all steamer shots - action, smoke, no railfans in sight - a classic shot of the steam! Bravo!
Misko
CopCarSS wrote:Mike, I really liked the good range of tone throughout your shot. Not only was the shot exceptional, the post-processing brought out the best of it. Nicely done.
I appreciate the compliment, Chris, but should clarify that there was virtually no post-production work done to this shot. Adjusted the white balance slightly, nothing else.
"Good" is indeed in the eye of the beholder! I voted for Mike's shot! Reasons:
Kathi's shot is of a bridge (main subject) with a train on it. Maybe a smaller aperture would have brought the train into better focus - you had some room at 1/1000! Not knowing the location, I'm not sure if you could have gotten a higher vantage point to put more emphasis on the engines as well.
Mike's shot is of a train engine, and the effects possible when shooting at night with a tripod. The main subject is most definitely the engine.
Not sure that Mike's shot required greater skill, just perserverence, experimentation and a good tripod. Beautiful work!
I went with Kathi's shot. Good work!
I would have voted for Mike if he would have used the going-away shot. That is *classic* stuff!
A mile from the tracks, but I still hear the whistle! Cleveland, Tennessee
LU-Trains wrote:I could go on, but last month Chris in Denver got so peeved at my expository remarks, I fear I spoiled his day - and not wanting to cause any unnecessary agitation in this new year, I shall sum up my choice as simply as possible . . . Red engine got my vote.
Is the patronization really necessary?
....Thanks Carl, for your answer on the CNW caboose....{Sorry for the delayed response back to you}.
WSOR 3801 wrote:Where exactly is that bridge? I've probably been over it a thousand times by now. There is a decent bridge between Iron Ridge and Woodland, right on Highway WS, that might make for a good picture as well.
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