Trackside with Trains, Vol. 89 with guest Tom Danneman

[stevechurch2222]

I had to go with Tom's photo of the patched SP unit,those are getting rare these days.

[espeefoamer]

Tom's photo won my vote.I like shots of trains on bridges.

[asnjoe24]

The first thing that caught my eye in the choices for this week's vote was the patched ex-SP engine in Tom's UP photo. The shot also has a nice, wide view and the reflection of sky and consist across the water is awesome. The waterfowl and the wildflowers in the foreground add to the image, making it a very inviting scene. In short, it is a great shot.

On the other hand, Mike's WSOR photo has great close-up action. The untouched snow is so perfect-looking that it almost seems like the shot was posed. I really get a feeling that that GP7 is giving its all in trudging through that snow. The feeling is what makes Mike's shot stand out.

Given that the SP engine caught me right off the bat, Tom's shot won my vote this week (sorry, Mike).

- Bryan

[Partsman_ba]

My vote went for Tom's photo, I love railroad bridges and the foreground was interesting too.

 

Ditto. Beautiful place for a photo.

Not sure why the complaining about the motive power in the shot. That's the reality of UP, at least out here in the West:  SP units with a little Armour Yellow renumbering, graffiti covered cars, nothing gets washed, etc. Sure it would be nice to see 4449 in the shot! How about a doubleheader of Cab-Forwards gleaming in the sun if we're going to get all wishful/wistful?

[SrBldr]

I liked Mike;s photo better only because it was more of a close-up.  I enjoy the pictures more when they are not so far away

 

[broarthur]

It's been a while since I've gotten on here to vote.  I really liked both shots this week, I voted for Mike's shot simply because of the pristine snow. (We don't get much of that down here in So.Cal.), but the UP, SP, going over the bridge almost swayed me.

[mandelswamp]

Tom Danneman, welcome to the Trackside with Trains photo contest.  Your name has come up in previous volumes but this is the first time you are actually competing.  I particularly liked your 3 Amtrak photos, especially the last one at Rodeo.  The photo of the UP light engine movement was interesting mainly because of the pier and building in the background.  Both of your Elkhorn photos were pleasant but I think Mike got the message that red engines in a snowy scene just have a greater impact.  So Mike, you got my vote this time.  Of your 3 wintry shots, I liked the Northbound WSOR train at Grafton best.  What is the little yellow figure between the tree and the sign in the background?  Is it a garden gnome?  I noticed that the photo of Tom with the telephoto was from Erik Bergstrom.  Tell him I say HI!  Will he be making a guest appearance on Trackside with Trains any time soon?

[Kell]

I had to be true to my roots and go with Tom. Anything SP or Ex-SP always wins.

Kell

[SilverSpike]

My vote went for Tom's photo, I love railroad bridges and the foreground was interesting too.

 

[dorfantiques]

Dead Heat! Lighting was better on the UP shot, butsnow always impresses. Both showed good composition!

[Modelcar]

.....Once again, I will judge the photos a draw.  Sorry, can't pick one over the other.  Neither shows something that really jumps out at me to catch my eye over the other.

Both are well done photos....in my eyes.  But just equal in quality.

But....and once again....both fellows had others to choose from and in my opinion....better photos than what both presented.

[loadmaster747]

Although there were no flakes in the air for the Cubs' home opener yesterday (2 rain delays instead) they still managed to lose... here in the Midwest, some things never change.  I'll admit that I, like so many others, am tired of the snow.  However, Mike's WSOR shot got my vote this time.  Others have commented on the power lines on the far left of his photo, but I think it is less distracting than the area of pond scum which blocks the reflections of the UP/SP locomotives in Tom's otherwise decent shot. 

[sdl39]

Mike - Red engine, white show, blue sky.

Sky was not Blue enough

Vote went Tom, Nice Bridge Shot

[dknelson]

Maybe Bergie should adjust the rules of this photo contest so that each photographer enters three photos.  

Dave Nelson

[Chris Owens]

Both Are very good shots, Tom gets my vote, this time..

[PRRK4s1361]

We haven't had much snow here in PA either but it still has been a wet and miserable winter. I went with Tom's entry. It shows what is too come in the near future. I only get to railfan every once-in-a-while but I hope to do moreso in the coming days. Spring is finally here!!! Everyone rejoice!! We made it through another winter, no thanks to global warming.

[Choo Choo Aussie]

Hello! 

This week, Mike Yuhas of Trackside with Trains.com is joined by Tom Danneman, art director of Trains and Classic Trains magazines. Learn about Tom's introduction to railfanning and vote for your favorite photo.

Read Trackside with Trains.com Volume 89.

Click here to vote then add your comments about this week's photos here.

Erik

Hi Mike and Tom

I don't have snow where I come from so snow is something different for me.  The red train finished it off  really nicely.  Sorry Tom but had to go with Mikes.  The scenery also took a lot away from Tom's train. 

[zikkan]

I didn't like either of the two competition photos this time. My favorite was Toms photo of the "light engine movement" with the Rio Grande unit.

 

Regards

zikkan

[Rex Beistle]

I think that the power line on the left of Mike's photo is a spoiler that nothing can overcome.  

Because of the power line in Mike's photo, I prefer Tom's image.  It is modern, but not too modern. 

 

Rex Beistle

Northern Colorado - USA

[kruser]

I went with the snow train. Yes, I'm tired of winter too (in East Cetral MN where I live we have not had much snow at all, though) but this is a TRAIN photo contest. Therefore, the WSOR photo wins since it is a much better composition. The path of the train is evident. There is depth. The train appears to naturally dissappear around a curve in the distance. On the otherhand, the UP photo is flat and the train is arbitrarily cut off by the right side of the picture. All other things being equal, 3/4 views beat straight on for these kinds of shots.

 

Karl Ruser

Minnesota 

[N&W114]

You both picked the wrong photos, so I didn't vote.

[zardoz]

Had to go with Mike.  Tom's train didn't look like it was doing anything.  Sorry big guy!  Had you used the photo below, I'd have voted for you:

Although, two weeks ago I would have probably voted for the 'no-snow' shot, as I, like so many others, had had enough snow for a while.  But now that most of it has melted, and all we have around here is matted, wet, yucky brown foliage, the snow shot looked quite nice: sharp, detailed, composed nicely.

I also rather liked Mike's 6-unit UP train, as well as Tom's light-engine shot.

[Rocket Man]

TOM, WELCOME TO TRACKSIDE! 

Wow!  WSOR in the snow! What we really need is a shot of the WSOR with blue skies framed by snow piles. Or, how about a WSOR local running a lonely line in a rural setting with phenomenal lighting from the side. No wait, I got it!... Better yet, let's have a shot of the WSOR going over a snowy stone arch bridge! I'm not knocking the photography, in fact I loved Mike's shot in Trackside #87, but as good as WSOR colors photograph in a snowy setting, I'm ready for a change.

Cut to UP in California... Having highly polished locomotives is not a requirement for me, however I felt that the mixed lash-up in Tom's photo absolutely distracted from the pastoral beauty of this wonderfully composed photograph. The shot was aching for the Daylight pulled by 4449 or even a lash up as was in Tom's other photo with the fenceline next to tracks. Understanding Tom couldn't have controlled what train was coming on this slow day of activity, I felt the hand he was dealt to him was the "rough" in the otherwise "diamond" of a photo.

My favorite of all this volume... UP along the rustic fence... but WSOR in the snow (hopefully the last one in awhile) will get my vote this time. I can't wait to see more of your photos Tom!

[TOMinTN]

Another tough choice...but Tom Danneman gets the nod.  His isn't exactly the most interesting photograph of that genre, but the colors and composition put it over the top for me.

I can't say I disliked the WSOR snow shot, but after such a long parade of similar entries, I guess I simply needed something more vibrant this time around. 

TJB - Nashville, TN

[DadH]

Really guys: don't they run any locomotives back there beside WSOR and UP? These shots look so similar to the last half-dozen entries why bother... so I didn't.

[LU-Trains]

OH NOOOOOOOOOOOO!  Red Train! White Snow!  Cold Air!  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!

 But, on the other hand, I wish Dan had gone with the California Amtrak shot.  I thought that was pretty neat.  So contrary to every natural instinct at this point in time . . . I voted for the red train.  whatever.

Hey, how about this?  Mike, you and your photog friend each submit three photos next month . . We'll all vote on which one is the best of both groups . . and then each side will choose one of the TRAINS MAGAZINE bikini clad "conductor-gal" foldouts to mud wrestle for the photo winner . . . ?

Wait a minute.  You know, I may be thinking of another magazine . . ? . .

 

nevermind.

 

[kicksvette]

Living just south of the Cheddar Curtain has brought about as much snow as the area to the north. So... I'm tired of it. It's time for the summer toys and being able to enjoy a "cold beverage" while railfanning. Tom has warmed my heart by showing us that winter isn't forever.

[tree68]

Tough decision - had to go with the SP loco, though.  I may be an eastern native, but spent some time around SP on the Coast Line and have a soft spot for that fallen flag, patch and all.

[Soo 6604]

I agree with TrainMan. To me, both pictures are boring. Just wasnt anything there to keep me focused.

My vote had to go with the home state.

Paul