Trackside with Trains, Vol. 87 with guest Jim Wrinn

[Ishmael]

I too liked Jim Wrinn's shots, but couldn't vote for the photos in Washington's Metro. That is my all time favorite city transit system, and I've ridden quite a few. The arrangement of their platforms, I thought, was a death blow for graffiti scribblers. And I especially like the fact that Metro stations are not dark and gloomy.

Of the two presented, I voted for Mike's for many of the above reasons, but mainly because it is more "railroady". The Acela photos, although technically excellent, could have been taken in an aircraft hangar.

[espeefoamer]

To this PRR guy,there is something very disturbing about a photo of catenary in the corridor shot from a NYC observation car.

[WSOR 3801]

I feel Mike usually puts the wrong shots in for the contest.  Some of the other shots of us that day I feel would have been better. 

We hit a few more snow drifts that day.  Here is crew change at Random Lake.

 

[dknelson]

Yes I posted without thinking.  Mike the ballerina is more graceful, more tender, more ethereal.    I guess Mike Yuhas just photographs well no matter what the circumstances ....  like some steam locomotives.

Dave Nelson

 

[da Milwaukee beerNut]

Gosh, I can't believe no one's mentioned anything about the abonimable snowman...

With all due respect Dave, I disagree. The abominable snowman photo doesn't hold a candle to the ballerina!   

Thanks Rocket Man. The abominable tutu lensing the frigid snow-laden GP7 goose beak trumps three noses even Streisand could love (pretty as those were). PLOW specials all over the state - spreaders and wedge plows dormant for years rousted from hibernation. Trains embargoed due to skating rink grade crossings.

Musical WSOR 3801 in drift blasting vids earlier this month * this is Wisconsin's winter. 

Belch, the Butler dragon, is enjoying the most playing time he's had in years.

Stands-tall-without-ladder has another 4-6 weeks ahead to practice descent strategies.

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons simply 'cuz you're crunchy & taste good with ketchup.  

[espeefoamer]

I guess I'm getting old enough to be a traditionalist,but I voted for Mike's local shot.The two geeps pulling a short string of covered hoppers in the snow really caught my eye.The bulbous noses of the Acelas reminded me of the blobs floating around in a lava lamp.( I guess I'm really showing my age here!) Jim,I really liked your CN night shot at Saukville.I would like to see this scene modeled and used as a center spread in Model Railroader.I would have voted for that picture.This is not the first time I have preferred a shot in the presentation portion of this contest to the actual entry.

[Green Mouintain Guy]

Good to see the three Acela units in Washington Union Station as most of us will never have the oppportunity but the W&S Geeps in the snow and cold, especially with me in comfort at home, was most interesting.  I am overdue in going up to Vermont to again see the Vermont Rail System in the snow.     Ed [e-mail]

[Rocket Man]

Gosh, I can't believe no one's mentioned anything about the abonimable snowman...

Actually Mike you have never looked more graceful than in that picture.  Disney on Ice will be calling for sure. 

Dave Nelson

With all due respect Dave, I disagree. The abominable snowman photo doesn't hold a candle to this:

 

http://www.trains.com/trn/objects/images/mike-yuhas.jpg

I rest my case.

[CShaveRR]

Dave, not only was that cruel, it was just plain Goofy!

Duh-HYUK!

[dknelson]

Gosh, I can't believe no one's mentioned anything about the abonimable snowman...

Actually Mike you have never looked more graceful than in that picture.  Disney on Ice will be calling for sure. 

Dave Nelson

[dorfantiques]

Mike: The Saukville night shot would have been a much better choice.

Jim: Should have gone with the Metro motion shot...it was definitely a winner!

[mikeyuhas]

Gosh, I can't believe no one's mentioned anything about the abonimable snowman...

 

[LU-Trains]

Well, I tell you Mike, if you had garnered the Saukville picture as your entry, I would have voted 14 times over for it . . I’m a sucker for night shots, especially with that vibrant blue or sometimes purple reflected sky.  I know it’s a bit unnatural, but man, what a visual.

I found Mikes shot almost too forlorn for my liking.  I understand some of the previous readers delight in the symmetry and loneliness of that obviously very numbing cold world and the trudging snow-covered beast blazing some kind of mechanical  James Fenimore Cooper-ish trail thru the wilderness.  But I just thought there was too much wasted space in the picture.

I voted for the Acelas.  But not because I’m a big fan of sleekness.  Mainly I voted because they reminded me of the wonderful times I had riding the “Romance Trains” of Japan.  Sitting in the front seat as these sleek quiet conical trains glide down the track - counting the markers - watching the world sizzle by.   I suppose I voted for the Amtrak because of nostalgia for a train adventure in a faraway land I admire.

Mike, hint:  Take more pictures with dark blue sky - you’ll always get my vote!  (Well, of course, you have to have a train in the shot too . . . )

[DadH]

Went with Mike's photo, though Jim's D.C. shots (assuming he meant Washington DC) in the Metro were more interesting than the Acela engines. May have had more votes Jim's way had he submitted one of the "subway" shots.

 Anyway Jim -- I immensely enjoy your articles in Trains Magazine. Thanks

[jeaton]

The Acela's (Acelii?)

I think the name "Acela" is a bit of imagineering, and probably doesn't have to play by the rules of Latin pluralization. Still, if it were Latin derived, it would probably be a member of the first declension. As such, the nominative plural would be "Acelae." I think you're safe with "Acelas," though, Dan!

I liked both shots this week, but Mike's was a nice "trainscape" in the words of the late Gary J. Benson, so it got my vote.

Shortly after arriving on the property to head up Amtrak, Dave Gunn said he always thought Acela was the space under the living room.

Just lurking now, will be back with a vote and comments later.

[saldana17]

   I am a sucker for a train and snow.
Add the white stuff and I want to own it.
You rock Mike.
Brad Busse

[PE 3&4]

While the future is clearly evident in Jim's shot and his comments on pg 4 of the March 08 issue of Trains are music to this readers ears, I find that the nostalgia factor kicked in as I looked at Mike's shot. I've spent a number of years wading through winters like the one pictured here, so Mike gets my vote this time. Either way, great work guys.

[NYC]

Jim's picture of the shiny clean Acela's was nice, but I must admit that as much as I'm tired of winter, Mike's picture just made we want to say "WOW!!! what snowbank did that train just pass through.????!!!.  A unique and emotional photograph. 

[emddd40x]

I'd have to agree with many of the others here.  If Jim had borrowed a small plane and gotten a good pacing shot of the Acelas, it would be a winning shot.  But with three of them lined up there and sitting pretty in the undecorated part of the station, it just doesn't call to me.

Mike's shot on the other hand....as others have said, is a decent scenery shot with an interesting train in it.  Given that i've been out in that sort of cold here in Michigan recently, I've given Mike my sympathetic vote.

Now, if he had used a long lens to get up tighter to the front with the loco-berg and the people inside the cab, THAT could have been an interesting picture.

[asnjoe24]

Nice to have Trains Editor Jim Wrinn along for the ride on this week's edition!

I think the best thing about Jim's shot is how the three Acelas are lined up so well. With the reflection of the overhead station lights, it almost looks like they're units straight out of the shop! I've never had the pleasure of viewing the Acelas up close (the closest I've ever gotten to them is running them on MSTS) and Jim's shot gives a pleasant image of what it must be like.

Mike's shot has a few extra details that seem to draw the appeal in me. Admittedly, the snow build-up in front of the lead engine is a bit distracting for me, but the lighting is superb and strongly evokes a quaint rural feel, almost Holiday-like. If it weren't for the snow, I would recommend putting the shot on a Christmas card. It is also a short local train, something I am more used to seeing and thus can relate with more. For that reason, I would have to choose Mike's shot this week (actually, I like Mike's shot of the UP Sheboygan Turn even better than this one; wish he'd chosen that one for the vote).

Awesome to hear also that a fellow forum member is at the throttle of the engine in Mike's shot!

- Bryan

[loadmaster747]

Jim, your "Acela times 3" photo just might show the future of passenger railroading in America.  I am a firm believer in electrified, high-speed passenger rail similar to the existing Northeast Corridor as a replacement for airline travel.  Out to a distance of about 300 miles from a hub like Chicago, timewise there is no significant difference between the two, and even diesel-powered it uses less fuel per passenger mile.  Having said that, I have to admit that I voted for Mike's snow-covered freight photo.  As a lifelong Midwesterner, I sympathize with him facing the hazards of the season to bring us his submissions, as well as the train crew "driftbusting" on their run.  At least they didn't have to bring out the wedge plow this time!  As I write this, the upper Midwest is bracing for yet another possible 6-9'' of the white stuff, so you might be able to catch some action shots of this rarely-seen equipment in use.  Good luck and good shooting!   

[HarveyK400]

I like Jim's shot out the tail of Hickory Creek almost as much as your WSOR shot.  

His first Metro shot was well lit and captured the formal elegance of the station (typical of most older underground stations) with the centered shot.

I liked both better than the Acela nose shot. 

[jrhambone]

Is it just me and my advancing age (and failing eyesight), or are Mike's night shots getting darker and darker--to the point of being hard to interpret?  That, plus the fact I like passenger trains, sends my vote to the boss.  Thanks for the series; I've enjoyed it from the start.

[CopCarSS]

The Acela's (Acelii?)

I think the name "Acela" is a bit of imagineering, and probably doesn't have to play by the rules of Latin pluralization. Still, if it were Latin derived, it would probably be a member of the first declension. As such, the nominative plural would be "Acelae." I think you're safe with "Acelas," though, Dan!

I liked both shots this week, but Mike's was a nice "trainscape" in the words of the late Gary J. Benson, so it got my vote.

[CNW 6000]

The Acela's (Acelii?) {Acelae: thanks CopCarSS!} looked to me like some kind of 'toy'.  That picture just didn't impress me.  Having never seen one in person, that picture didn't make me go "Wow, I've gotta see/ride that thing!"  If you had caught one at speed, perhaps, that might be a bit different. 

The WSOR shot...well 'nuff has been said about it.    It got my vote.

[Rex Beistle]

I agree with Zardoz.

 "Mike's very poignant shot of that lonely, little, lost wayfreight, out in the middle of nowhere, cold, dark, with snow piled on the front, exhaust smoke drifing away, spoke to me much more eloquently."

 The photo of the Acela reminds me of looking at the Stanley Steamer in the museum located in the basement of The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO.  The Acela isn't working, it is just sitting and doing nothing.  The Stanley Steam car in the museum isn't working either - both are out of their environment and doing nothing.  Yes, the Acela is in a railroad station, but it is doing nothing and there is nothing in the image that has to do with the work that locomotives are built to do.

 The WSOR locomotive and its crew are in their environment, and the photograph talks to me about the uncompromising nature of wintertime railroading.  This image causes me to think of long ago D&RG railroaders in Gunnison, Colorado - where the temperature just a few weeks ago was minus 38 degrees F.

 From Northern Colorado - USA

[Chris Owens]

I really enjoyed both Photo's But I enjoyed the work local. (long days work)

[edalsie]

Jim you almost got me on this one, but Mike's was just a touch better. I loved the shot out the rear observation window, but was disappointed that the flowers weren't in focus as well.

Tough choices this time.

I found my first reaction to the Acela's to be . . . why not mag-lev?? Let's get it on and enter the 21st century.

 Allen

[K5GBW]

Jim - Welcome to Trackside with Trains. You have a very unique perspective on railroading and incorporating the world in which trains travel. The pictures you took in the Washington Metro station and on the NYC car are photographically excellent. Of everything you shared with us today the shot of the NYC car with the flowers and track trailing off into the distance was my favorite.

 Mike - Your ability to take a photo at the same location yet have it look different every time is amazing. Your shot of CN 6104 is truly the "Best of Show" if today’s edition of Trackside with Trains.

As far as voting is concerned, I really haven’t' decided yet. Both entries have unique merits that draw me to them. I'm going to have to think about it for a while before I decide.