Eric, I couldn't vote for either as i wished you included the night shot (Northbound Canadian National coal train, Waukesha, Wisconsin.) as it was so sharp, it looked like a model train setup. (That's a compliment, right?)
Welcome Back Erik.
Had to go with yours simply because seeing that loco leaning OUT of a flat curve reminds me of some of my old model rr layouts! ( a Lionel 4-4-2 doing 90 around O-27 corners?)
zardoz wrote: Erik's image is more in-your-face hard-core railroading. My main criticism is the faded colors of the entire image (Erik, you DID use a polarizing filter, didn't you?).
Erik's image is more in-your-face hard-core railroading. My main criticism is the faded colors of the entire image (Erik, you DID use a polarizing filter, didn't you?).
Nope, no polarizer in my bag. I think there were a few things added to the faded colors of my photo. First, it was around noon, meaning a high sun. Next, the lead unit had faded orange paint, not the more vivid BNSF orange. Finally, there wasn't a lot of color in that scene (without a vivid orange locomotive, that is)... the gravestones of the cemetery, the trees without leaves, the black or oxide red hopper cars... there's really nothing to go on there. Plus, the sky wasn't a sharp blue, but rather a dull grayish-blue (because again, it was high sun).
Plus, from what I know about the polarizer, you need just the right scene, with the sun at 90-degrees to what you're shooting. I'm not certain that would have worked in this particular situation... especially with high sun.
After seeing Arron Jors' Illinois Central shot using a polarizer in Volume 82, I'm definitely in the market for a polarizer. I should sell my scanner and replace it with a polarizer. It'd certainly see more action than my scanner does! (Just ask Mike... he, Mr. Scanner himself, loves asking "Well did you have your scanner on?" knowing full well that I probably did not.)
Thanks for the feedback, zardoz.
freightcarguy wrote: Nice shot, Eric! The line that train is on is BNSF's "Barstow (IL)" subdivision, running from Savanna to Galesburg - a single track railroad that sees a dozen or more trains a day. The ore train you caught is probably U-SEMBIR, (Steelton, MN to Birmingham, AL) which uses larger, traditional hoppers for the taconite pellets. The taconite train with the shorter ore cars is U-KEEMAD (Kewatin, MN to Madison, IL), which also traverses this line. Both of these trains run several times a week along with their northbound conterparts U-BIRSEM and U-KEEMAD.Tom Persoon
Nice shot, Eric! The line that train is on is BNSF's "Barstow (IL)" subdivision, running from Savanna to Galesburg - a single track railroad that sees a dozen or more trains a day. The ore train you caught is probably U-SEMBIR, (Steelton, MN to Birmingham, AL) which uses larger, traditional hoppers for the taconite pellets. The taconite train with the shorter ore cars is U-KEEMAD (Kewatin, MN to Madison, IL), which also traverses this line. Both of these trains run several times a week along with their northbound conterparts U-BIRSEM and U-KEEMAD.
Tom Persoon
Good to know. Thanks Tom!
Bergie
I've been out of town so I'm Late to the Party . . . but gosh, I'm not too impressed with either shot this month.
Train with highway and cars.
or
Train with cemetery in background.
OK, I've decided. I'm going with the second shot because my understanding is that this particular cemetery is a very FAMOUS AND POPULAR cemetery. In fact, there's a waiting list because people are just dyin' to get in.
A mile from the tracks, but I still hear the whistle! Cleveland, Tennessee
Both photos are great. The UP coal train reminds me of trips I've had on VIARail as it runs alongside Ontario's 401 expressway east of Toronto. As you peer out the window, cars travelling 60-70 mph on the highway, seem to almost be standing still as the train gradually overtakes them. In Mike's photo, even though the train's speed cannot be determined, the same contrast is presented. I also like Bergie's shot as it shows up the bold power of the locomotives. The cemetary background reminds one of the fact that someday, even these powerful machines, as previous generations, all the way back to steam, will be put to rest.
In Erik's photo taken at Rochelle, there seems to be an extra "third" rail running beside the west bound track near the signal tower. This is not visible in the webcam view, which is too wide an angle and too small to pick up such detail. Does this really exist?
Thanks for fixing the spelling error. We all make them occasionally.
Hey...I thought you were a big-wig editor. What do I know? Well, one thing for sure, I know that you and your co-workers take some great pictures.
The best result of Volume 90 might be the remark from the reader who commented that he had considered serving up some puns about the train by the cemetery...but decided not to...because it would be a GRAVE mistake.
TJB in Nashville
Gotta go with the cemetary shot. Maybe it brings back memories of the graveyard next to the tracks at which we used to attend Memorial Day ceremonies.
The freeway picture had potential. Of course, timing is everything, which is why there were no trucks in the shot to provide a truck vs train counterpoint.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
CShaveRR wrote:I think I'll give Erik the vote this time--just more train in his picture.Background was a little dead, though. Maybe that was just taken for granite (or marble).
I think I'll give Erik the vote this time--just more train in his picture.
Background was a little dead, though. Maybe that was just taken for granite (or marble).
I thought about mentioning all the puns that could go with this photo, but I decided it would be a grave mistake.
While I much prefered the colors and composition (main object in the TOP third of the frame) in Mike's image, those darn autos are just way too distracting.
The gravestones in Erik's image adds a bit of something to the image to the same extent that the autos in Mike's image takes away.
Vote went to Erik by a nose [pun slightly intended].
The first question is, what was Mike Yuhas doing on the west side of the freeway shooting train pictures? Gathering another of those famous roadkill dinners?
In that map that Bergie included with his shot in Rio, IL -- the now-gone diverging CB&Q line headed west and south to Alexis, where it met the Rock Island Southern, then continued on south and west to Monmouth IL, which is due west of Galesburg on the line to Burlington Iowa. The line then continued through Monmouth directly south to Swan Creek where it turned east again through Walnut Grove and eventually met up again with the BN at Bushnell, which is directly south of Galesburg and is on the BNSF line to Quincy. So it was a pretty significant link for the old Chicago Burlington & Quincy.
As for the Rock Island Southern, for those who have railfanned Galesburg and gone out to Cameron, where the old Santa Fe crosses over the old CBQ to Burlington, the bridge still shows the space where the RIS (electric interurban) paralled the CB&Q under that bridge.
That line through Rio IL on which Bergie made his picture is the line the goes from Galesburg north to, eventually, the Twin Cities. That abandoned line to the west is not to be confused with yet another abandoned CBQ east west line that went through Alpha IL the next town north of Rio on the BNSF.
Alpha is famous for being the childhood home of Erik Bergstrom.
Back in the old days, in that part of Illinois the CBQ made loops around itself almost continuously. But [nearly] all routes lead to Galesburg, in one way or another!
Dave Nelson
I just had to place myself there also, or, find another cemetery were there is a curve. If this is Deadman's Curve, I am sure there must be some additional stories to tell (?) Or Buddyburton might not have any other spirits to play with. That would be awful for a railroad fan.
Well, it's just like old times this week! :D
Both shots were a challenge for me to decide over. Mike's UP shot has a nice wide view, good lighting, and a nice angle. Although some may find it distracting, I like the fact that there are some vehicles on the road in next to the track; it gives a feeling of action (don't you just love the feeling of pacing a train!).
The best thing about Erik's BNSF shot, even though it is in the background, has got to be the cemetery. Those stones look awesome!! The color of the hoppers and the faded warbonnet scheme of the lead engine give this shot a power feeling.
Given that I relate more to BNSF, and the fact that I really dig that cemetery, my vote has to go to Erik this week.
- Bryan
Good to see you back Bergie. Both photo's were great. Had to go with Bergie's photo. Mike your phtot appeared to be too far away and the highway was a distraction.
Steve C
Nice work as always, I went with Mike because I liked the broader view his photo showed. The shot I really liked was of the CN train in Waukesha. The rain, lights, crossing and reflection was for me the best. I hope the cemetery in Bergies shot is not prophetic for rail traffic like happened here. As always, thanks and happy shooting.
Fred
K5GBW wrote: As for the BNSF power on Bergie's photos; I think it's safe to say that BNSF orange fads faster than Santa Fe red.
As for the BNSF power on Bergie's photos; I think it's safe to say that BNSF orange fads faster than Santa Fe red.
I know... they really should have stuck with Cascade Green.
Stop laughing; I'm serious. You can see old BN locomotives still floating around the system and that green is holding true (for the most part). It's certainly not turning pink (like Warbonnet red) or peach (like BNSF orange).
Bergie (the guy who grew up near a BN mainline and is thus biased)
I think sombody's going to get a whoopin' and it's not going to be Bergie...
Seriously though I-43 and the traffic on it is a distraction for me on Mike's photo. As for the BNSF power on Bergie's photos; I think it's safe to say that BNSF orange fads faster than Santa Fe red.
Akofyholic wrote:
It looks as though Erik is going to win by a nose... of the BNSF shot that is. VERY nicely done Erik, and welcome back. The colors were bright & vivid on the shot and the backround was an added touch to an already nicely done shot. Mike, sorry, your shot lack any vividness to it that would of made me vote for it, now had that CN truck been in the shot I might of changed my mind. You should have adjusted the brightness of the shot via photoshop or whatever image software that came with the camera. Thanks for the shots guys.. good to see ya's Erik.
Exactly!
Heck, I would have voted for Erik's rain shot over Mike's shot as well. I don't know, maybe I just don't like interstate highways much!
TOMinTN wrote: First things first...cemetery is spelled wrong beside the results graph. I don't think that has anything to do with the contest, but magazine editors ought to be able to spell.
First things first...cemetery is spelled wrong beside the results graph. I don't think that has anything to do with the contest, but magazine editors ought to be able to spell.
Thanks for pointing out my typo (i.e. no magazine editors were involved with this).
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)
blhanel wrote: Welcome back, Erik! Had to go with your shot- Mike, your shot looked too much like a grab shot, sorry.Any chance you could post a blow-up of that railfan at Rochelle, Erik? Even with the picture selected, I can't make out any features on that guy.
Welcome back, Erik! Had to go with your shot- Mike, your shot looked too much like a grab shot, sorry.
Any chance you could post a blow-up of that railfan at Rochelle, Erik? Even with the picture selected, I can't make out any features on that guy.
In hindsight, I'm not sure if I want to invade the guy's privacy too much.
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