Trackside with Trains.com Vol. 115: Railroad Bridges

[Andy Cummings]

Folks —

Trackside with Trains.com Vol. 115, Railroad Bridges, is now live, with 11(!) of our 13 photographers participating. You can read Vol. 115 here, and click here to vote.

Thanks!

Andy Cummings
Associate Editor
TRAINS Magazine
Waukesha, Wis.
 

[Anonymous]

Wow! So many choices! I voted for Tom Danneman, but a lot of others came close!

I don't have a remark for everyone's photos, but I do have a few...

- Elrond: Very nice! I like the fog!

- Andy: I love the way the train curves across the frame in this one! That's one heck of an impressive bridge!

- Tom: You got my vote this time! A spectacular bridge, an the elephant-style GE's don't hurt either! Great shot!

- Alex: That is one cool photo! It's hard to see anything past the train because of all the steam so the locomotive looks like it's coming out of the clouds!

- Jim: That's a very interesting bridge. I bet it really gives new engineers a sense of vertigo because of the sharp curve and height!

- Matt: It's too bad I missed your tour through New England! I have a few questions about your photo. What line is that? I instantly thought of the Red Line, but it crosses the Charles on the Longfellow Bridge, which even on the approaches, has arches underneath the bridge. There's never any flat-bottemed bridges like in your shot. And from 2008 - the bridge stil looked like that. In addition, there would be lots of lighted buildings lining the river.

Are you sure that isn't the bridge shared with the MBTA Commuter Rail over the Neponset River in Neponset, MA, south of Boston?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=boston&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=58.555544,103.798828&ie=UTF8&ll=42.284596,-71.037673&spn=0.006778,0.012671&t=h&z=17

[diningcar]

Some great photos guys and Kathi. I was initially taken by Kents unique submission.

Then Kathi's shot taken from Tom and Sue Hoback's Santa Fe 56 really got my attention for several reasons; 1. I have ridden the Santa Fe 56 with the Hobacks and enjoyed the food, hospitality and railroad discussions; 2. the details of an open deck pile trestle with the inside guard rails are vivid, and 3. the composition with the surrounding landscape while on a moving (I suppose) train was splendid.

I also liked Tom's Canyon Diablo, one of the most unique bridge designs. But my vote went to Kathi for the reasons cited.

Jack Kelly

[tree68]

Had to go with Kathi's shot as well - it's a unique perspective.  Not that the others shots weren't good, but they were almost all "side" shots.

[cherokee woman]

I voted for Kathi's shot as well, because it is a unique shot, taken while 'riding the rails'.  Great shot, Kathi!!  And a very big kudos for all the other contributors this week!.  You all did a great job.

 

[lorax210]

Beware of he who suggests the theme: I vote for Andy.

Not that there isn't stunning photography here. But in some of the shots, especially the more masterful compositions, the beauty doesn't highlight the bridge.

Second place goes to Kat for best story!

btw, who's Drew paying off to vote? 35 percent???

[Matt Van Hattem]

Hey, Tyler!

Thanks so much for your note. Yeah, we gave the voters a dilemma this week. There is a lot of great photography presented.

My bad about the Boston location. That's an Orange Line train crossing the Mystic River. (I've updated the page to reflect that.) Thanks for asking about it. Did we just publish one of your photos in the magazine, showing a subway train photographed from the Prudential Tower? I loved that shot! I went up to that observation deck on my very first visit to Boston (I won a contest whose grand prize was a trip on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor). Very nice photo! I hope we see more of your work in Trains.

Next time I'm traveling out your way, I'll definitely let you know.

--Matt

[Anonymous]

The Mystic River, huh? That makes sense. I've ridden right past that bridge (on a diverging track) on the commuter rail to Salem. Again, nice photo.

Yes, my photo will be in the August issue in the Fantrip section. (I won't say more since that issue isn't out yet. ) Thanks for the kind words!

[zardoz]

What a superb collection of photos!!!

A most difficult choice; indeed, the most difficult contest I can remember.

 

[CShaveRR]

This is a fantastic topic, and it definitely got some contributions from beyond the Kalmbach backyard, as it were.

I have to state my disclaimer again--I'm not a photographer, so when they're all reasonably excellent photographs, it won't make a bit of difference to me. Also, familiarity played no part in this bridge. With the possible exception of Drew's bridge, I probably haven't seen any of those pictured.

So, I chose the title as a springboard: Railroad Bridges. I live in an area where there are a lot of railroads using bridges, and some of those are pretty massive (and none were pictured, or it might have swayed my vote!). So I used my private definition--a bridge that could only have been built for a railroad--heavy-duty steel work, and long ascending and descending fills or trestlework That made it easy: Andy got the vote in a flash--that's one heck of a bridge!

Mike, you almost got it with that typically-CNW bridge. But, in theory, a road could have crossed a river with something like that. Same for the two large trestles--though they probably wouldn't have kept the same level crossing expanses like those (Kent and Kat). Tom's, too--a nice, sturdy bridge, but what would a road have used to cross the same canyon? Probably very much the same bridge.

To me, a railroad bridge has to be large, massively overbuilt, and unmistakeable. You can probably see why I prefer the Ohio valley to the Mississippi valley--much better bridges there. Case in point--C&O's Limeville Bridge. It probably looks like another highway bridge over the Ohio from a distance (unless you realize just how far away you are!), but once you get close to the bridge itself (best accomplshed from the Ohio side) you see just how monstrous that thing really is--those structural members can even dwarf a locomotive!

Jim, SILP (that's my wife's screen name now--SJ thought she needed one!) thought your Shay and trestle shot was "cute". She liked a lot of the pictures, but Andy's, again, just made her go "Whoa!"

But thanks, everyone, and welcome to the newcomers!

[Modelcar]

Difficult choice.  Quite a few very nice photos and all are appropriate. 

We can choose just one....So I'll vote for Kathi's.  Dramatic, sharp and nice natural colors.  Different approach to show bridge.

[henry6]

I can identify with Kathi's pic, just like so many of us can: it is universal.  But Otto's shot "bridges" so many things...railroads, rivers, and time...more so than the others. 

[jrhambone]

So many great shots--so few votes!

[PacificElectric9]

Not a drawbridge in the lot!  Future theme or one I missed somehow?  Went with Elrond and the cruisin' "Cruz."

[squeeze]

Soooo many to choose from, and they're all good. Went With Mike's morning shot. Brought back some old memories as a kid. In the summer qwhen school was out and the parents went vacationing, I'd get up early and watch some morning action. Ohh the memories!

[Partsman_ba]

Really liked all of the shots. The new folks really brought out some incredible stuff! I simply found the mood of Otto's shot irresistible. Plus, the technical aspect of getting the indoor and outdoor lighting balance correct was impressive! I probably would have popped my flash for a little fill, and completely screwed up the shot with the window reflection. Bravo.

(did I get enough multisyllable words starting with "I" in that paragraph?)

[edalsie]

This one is not easy at all... Right off the top Elron's shot captured me, then I saw Kathi's, then Andy's, then Tom's shots... I must have gone back and forth a dozen times... before I picked Andy's. This is not to say the others weren't fantastic... but these four caught my attention. In fact, I'm still looking them over... Alex's Heber Valley picture would make a nice jigsaw puzzle with so many great textures and shapes... Mike's picture of the returning local was a great end of shift picture... I could almost sense the weariness of the crew.

So much to look over... so many great shots.

Thank you!!

 Allen

 

[lhtalbot]

This is the hardest pick in a good long time. WELL DONE to all the photographers. I went back and looked at each one several times. Each time spotting something else I liked in another shot. I finally settled on Elrond's shot, but it was difficult.

I have some Amtrak shots at that Tosa bridge location,so I am familiar with that spot. There used to be a signal just East of the bridge, but I see they took them out.

Who would have thought 'vertical shot' in a bridge theme, but I see we got not one but two!  Both nice.

Thanks again for an outstanding Vol

Larry in Wauwatosa

[rgsron]

My favorite bridges. Starucca Viaduct, Lanesboro, PA and Tunkhannock Viaduct, Nicholson, PA

[scooteral]

I really enjoyed all the photos, but since I was born and lived in Santa Cruz, I am biased towards Elrond's photo.  I don't get to see the local very much anymore, so it was great to see a beautiful shot of it.  He got my vote.

[loadmaster747]

I am impressed by the variety, shape and size of railroad bridges in the photos submitted this week.  My vote went to Mike Yuhas, not because the bridge itself was impressive, but because I like the way the sunrise's light perfectly silhouetted the bridge and glints on the rails.  I have to say, I am a bit surprised nobody had a photo of the bridge made famous in the 'Harry Potter' movies tucked away in their archives.  

[TOMinTN]

What a super group of photos in the running this time around.

Andy gets my vote for a couple of reasons.  As I type this I'm about 3 miles from the BNSF Mandan-Bismarck bridge.  Long ago, I snooped around out there and marveled at the ageless beauty of the structure.  I worked in Bismarck for several years...later, my parents had a home less than a mile from the bridge...and I also remember it even earlier when visiting Bismarck as a kid.  Oh...I neglected to mention that I've ridden across it many times on Amtrak's North Coast Hiawatha, and Northern Pacific's North Coast Limited and Mainstreeter.

Anyone who's ever seen the photo of the long line of steam engines parked on the bridge shortly after construction to "test" it just has to be at least a little impressed.  I don't have a copy on the laptop or I'd insert it here.

Sentimentality aside, the shot could only have been better if the beautiful North Coast Limited had been gliding off the bridge.

By  the way...where were you for that shot Andy?  Soaring with a flock of Canadian geese?  What a vantage point!

TJB - Nashville, TN (on the road in North Dakota)

[cx500]

Lots of excellent pictures, but as usual I consider how they match the theme to be equally important.  Had to go with Andy's shot.  We see the entire bridge and it stands out as a primary visual element.  Its purpose is clearly shown in the picture, and the train confirms the railroad context. 

In a number of other entries the bridge is very much secondary to the train or scenery, even if they might be deserving winners under a different category or theme.

 John

[Willamette_Valley_OR]

What a great week for the West. Lots of good shots, but the three from Roaring Camp, Heber Valley and the UP "Cruz" steal the show. How to choose? Had to go with Roaring Camp after many years of hanging out with steam there in the 60's and 70's, but I am most impressed with the shot of the Santa Cruz local from one of my favorite train watching areas. Finally, steam and snow on a bridge has it all. Thanks!

[espeefoamer]

WOW! I felt like a kid in a candy store. I am a big time bridge fan.Looking at each picture was like opening presents on Christmas morning. After a long debate with myself,I voted for Elrond's shot of the Santa Cruz local.The fog set the perfect mood for the photo.I rode the Santa Cruz branch in 1996 on a Suntan Special fantrip,which was another reason I voted for that picture.

[Choo Choo Aussie]

So many to chose from.  All great photos.  Worked it down to three but unfortunately could only vote for one.  Andy's, Tom's and Drew's all stood out for me but Tom's got my vote.  The different coloured loco's and bridge really did it for me.  Good one Tom and well done all.

Choo Aussie

[Andy Cummings]

TOMinTN

By  the way...where were you for that shot Andy?  Soaring with a flock of Canadian geese?  What a vantage point!

 

Tom —

Thanks for your vote! The answer: I parked in the back lot of one of the buildings at Bismarck State College and walked back to that location. At the time, the snow was melting and the hillside was covered in mud. Jerry and I were in a bit of a hurry to get to that location, as we knew our train was taking a pull from Mandan, and I slipped on the mud and stuck my hands out underneath me to break my fall. One hand landed in a pile of snow, the other in the mud. Fortunately, I had a minute or so at the location before the train showed up to clean my hand off so as not to get any mud on the camera!

My co-workers often poke fun at me for my obsession with the Dakotas, but that region is absolutely beautiful. I'm planning to return to the Mandan area later this year in the hopes of shooting trains between there and the Montana border, particularly in the Badlands. I also want to shoot the Zap Line, which we scoped out this spring but weren't able to catch any trains on.

Thanks to everybody for your enthusiasm this round. It's good to see a tight competition like this. I'd add that, after seeing all the shots, Elrond's became a fast favorite of mine, and I began to suspect he'd eventually pull it out. It's looking that way right now, though things could still change. I note I was below Tom Danneman first thing this morning, but just now I looked and am ahead by just a tiny bit. I agree with what seems to be the consensus here: This is a really cool edition of Trackside.

Best,

Andy Cummings
Associate Editor
TRAINS Magazine
Waukesha, Wis.

[videomaker]

I hate to say it,but if the public had sent a couple of these dark pics in they would have been returned to sender...TOO DARK ! Ireally like all of them but dark dont do it for me...

[DadH]

Voted for Kathy's shot which I thought unique for its' perspective and great camera angles. It has a rather epheremerial feeling as if the bridge and track were a unity, suddenly appearing, then , dissapearing into the beyond. Unfortunately to these old eyes the image also has the appearance of being "photoshopped": i.e. the tracks / bridge weren't really there at that beautiful gorge (creek, gully, streambed) but was shot somewhere else and the whole image edited to produce the result.

But then Kathy wouldn't do such trickery to submit a possibly winning photo.

I still intend to use it as wallpaper - reminds me of my "growing up" days in Ohio and Indiana.

Thanks LOTS, DadH

[edblysard]

All good photos for a bunch of reasons.

But Elrond's photo seems to tell a story better than the others, and it is a beautiful picture.