Trackside with Erik and Mike Vol. 54

[Bergie]

I just posted the latest installment of Trackside with Erik and Mike in our new section within the Railroad Reference area of TrainsMag.com. That's right, we now have our very own corner of the Trains magazine site.

Read Trackside with Erik and Mike Volume 54

Voting for Trackside with Erik and Mike now occures at the top of the Trackside with Erik and Mike section. Click here to vote.

Please feel free to add your comments regarding this installment's photos here.

Thanks, Erik

[CopCarSS]

Ohhhhhh....easy one! Bergie! The lighting! The dramatic clouds! The background terrain! The Matched Power! The clean matched cars! It's all there. Far and away the best shot you've ever posted here.

Mike, good shot, but I don't like the bridge poking through the smokestack of the loco.

BTW, great to see you guys back here! Can't wait to see what you'll bring next time!

[blhanel]

I had to give Mike the vote on this one- both are cool shots, but the composition on Mikes- WOW.

[Poppa_Zit]

Tough decision this time.

Both photographs are well-composed and take advantage of "magical lighting."

Bergie's photo is taken in "honey light" -- on a day with zero or no humidity (haze) and looks so perfect with a string of new unit cars and ethereal sky and perfect landscaping (who smoothed the soil along the roadbed?). It looks like a layout shot that belongs on the cover of CTT or MR. He got the same sky-contrasting effect a polarization filter would add.

Mike's photo also takes advantange of available light, is shot from a low angle, and I'll disagree with the previous bridge comment because framing the locomotive utilizing the lighted bridge supports and a time exposure gives the entire photo a dreamlike appearance. Adding to the latter is the star patterns his lens gives some of the lights.

So, on the surface, two great photos end in a dead heat esthetically. But, personally, I always give an extra point or two for including steam.

So my vote goes to Mike, but only because I'm a huge steam fan. Otherwise, it's a tie.

Pop Z     

[samfp1943]

I had to give Mike the vote on this one- both are cool shots, but the composition on Mikes- WOW.

I thought both photos were really good, and not having a photography hobbiest interest; I am more of a point, shoot, and take the disposable to Wal-Mart to be developed. The results are what I enjoy, and the process is something to be endured. I enjoy trains and train photos, and the memory cues that the pictures provide. This was my first visit to the Erik and Mike site. Nice Job.

[mmartian22]

hi guys;  both you got great pitures  but mike's pictures took my vote . the pictures of the 261 are great looking !!!!!!! . I like any kind of steam pictures and  i'am also a huge fan of  steam power .

[Eddie L]

All the pics are great but Eric's is breathtaking.  Steam shots are like blonds - too easy.  It takes more talent to do diesel.  Congrats, Eric. 

[Modelcar]

Erik's Photo:

Like: Content...including lighting, railcar consistency....smooth ROW....mountainous terrain....and contrast of sky and light colored ground....

Overall brightness at photo center is dramatic.

Both photos very appealing....but I must vote for this photo...{Erik's}, over Mikes.

 

Mike's Photo:

I like night time shots.  Dramatic result in colored  bridge structure.  Movement of humans in photo is a distraction for me. 

Lighting on engine side reveals details nicely.  Too bad headlight was not lit.  Believe that would have added importance to photo.

Overall I like photo and appreciate the settings and thought to get it.

[Willy2]

I thought Erik's photo was stupendous. Great lighting and a super looking train.

I thought Mike's shot looked a little cluttered with the bridge in the background and all.

Erik gets my vote this week (and not because I live in Nebraska).

[cumminspwr]

Boy, I know I was throwing fits over both pics. They were both awsome but had to go with Eric's over Mik'e this time. I really liked the background with (I'm guessing) a T-storm coming. Mike's, I love the night shot with the bridge all lit up.....nicely done guys.

[UnionPacificVic]

Great shot Eric.  I enjoyed everything about yours.  But this time I thought Mike's was just better. Shot at night with a long exposure turns the steam coming off the 261 into a winsome wisp!  There's nothing like a living, breathing steel behemoth simmering under the stars.  I almost looked around to see if O Winston Link was in the picture somewhere . . . . .

[acelachaser]

Mike,

O.Winston Link must be proud!

 

keep up the good work and great job on the site upgrades

[kschmidt]

    Great Photo both Erik and Mike.   I am quite a fan of steam, but the shot with the dark skies and the sunlight is very good.  

    Mike,

    I guess great minds think alike, below is my shot from Hwy 146 overpass on Sunday June 25th.  I guess we were on the bridge together.  I was there on Saturday also, sometimes a shot is worth two visits. 

Keith Schmidt 

[Richard A]

Ouch!  Not easy at all for me to decide.  By a whisker, Erik's photo with the just about perfect lighting conditions and composition win out over Mike's classic night photo of the classic 261.  These are both photos I would pay to get and have framed for my train room.  Great photos, guys!

[trainboyH16-44]

That has to have been the hatdest decision yet....I eventually voted for Erik's because of colour; even though I'm more of a fan of night shots, Mike's was just lacking some unknown something, IMHO.

[acelachaser]

Went with Mike on this one.

O Winston Link must be proud!

keep up the good work! I like the changes.

[da Milwaukee beerNut]

32.5 coal gons - a right purdy shot there, pardner. But I ain't 'fraid a no ghosts! The long-exposed crew add mystery to the valley, and turning the vapor lighting white with the custom WB shifted the bridge accent lights to light-sabre blue.
Lighting on the moving coal was inspirational - lighting on the resting coal inspired. One for Mike - steam trails remind me of airline vapor traces - except those don't show up against a black background!

[edblysard]

Hummm,

Though about it from a technical point of view...Bergie wins...

Thought about it from a fans point of view, Mike gets the vote.

Sat back, and didnt think...

Mike's photo "lit my fire" more than Bergies.

 

Wish the locomotive would have been back a little more, so the bridge piers would have seemed like they were pointed forward more....kinda pointing the way.

Ed

[gemotor]

For photographic skill and some artistry, I voted for Mike's shot of MILW 261.  I agree with the comment that the camera position should have been to the left or the right to get the bridge pylons out of the smokestack and, yes, it's a wedgie.  Should have worked with it a bit, Mike, there are some really superb angles in there.  But the night exposure is simply great!  That said, Erik's shot is dazzling for the great lighting and the location, but that was more a matter of  "being there" than it was "art". 

[Modelcar]

Keith....That is one beautiful shot in your post....!

[Noah Hofrichter]

Boy, talk about a toughie!!! I really think both of these photos are certainly the most dramatic photos that you guys have ever taken. It is a really, really tough decision this time, but after a little time, I eventually went with Mike's. It just hits one as being a little more dramatic, and besides, it takes a lot of know-how to get a really good night shot like that one. Besides, I am slightly partial, I chased the 261 on Saturday and rode on the train from the Dells-New Lisbon and return on Sunday. The 261 is one awesome steam locomotive, and how often do you see a mainline steam loco in this day and age anymore?

Erik, yours was an awesome shot and certainly worthy of being on a calendar and in TRAINS, but had we not already seen about 2 dozen shots of BNSF coal trains in Nebraska in the last two months I might have been swung your way even more. This time though, Mike wins.

Noah

[Anonymous]

Normally I would have agreed with the low angle shot of that BNSF train coming down the grade, as it is a perfect combination of elements combining towards a poster perfect shot.  Having said that, I have to say the time lapsed shot of the steam engine was incredible!!!I wish you guys would offer for purchase, the full resolution shots you've taken over the months.. Some truly incredible work for two ppl claiming "amature" status.  Your work belies that.  Also, I like the new format of the site.. and the larger photos.  Keep up the good work!!! and welcome back! 

                                                                                            Rich

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, Bergie, but there is just something about steam and the etherealism of a nighttime time exposure to make it work for me.  I do like the way your consist seems to be coming out of the "White Cliffs of Dover", though.

Thanks a lot,

David

[Anonymous]

Erics photo in Vol 54

Awesome!  perfect exposure. great composition and a perfect train.

Great work!

 

 

[Rocket Man]

My vote goes to Mike this time. My eyes were immediately drawn to it.

[shawnbecher]

I gotta go with Mike's photo as well.  I was out there catching 261 that weekend and had an absolute blast.

Mike, did you happen to get the other photographer's name?  My friend Gary has some shots that were taken in the same location at the depot (some of them even look very similar).

Here's my favorite shot of 261 I got that weekend: http://shawnbecher.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=412339

Shawn

[wcnut]

WOW!  After such a long hiatus you present these?  I would have thought you guys would have eased us into voting again.  Tough decision, both photos were spectacular, but in the end I was more amazed with the landscape in Erik's shot rather than the train.  I also really liked all the quiet, night time city elements Mike included in his shot.  The ghostly ghools are an added bonus, to bad this wasn't an October vote!  Great job to both!

Greg
"wcnut"

[Anonymous]

Big BNSF fan, but had to go with the old time steam.  As always awesome shots, hard choice.

[Mookie]

Doesn't really matter which one I voted for since both were spectacular. 

Eric - makes me want to run out to the western part of my state, after they get done burning off part of it. 

Mike - a most unusual photo.  I like the presentation and the subject matter very much. 

I think you both outdid yourselves this time!  Well worth the wait for you to come back.

Mookie

[jjlamkin]

Sorry Erik, WOW Mike's photo really gets your attention! I had to vote for Mike's this time.

Still looking for that long awaited railroad job. Have attended several hiring sessions, but I just can't find a good fit.

Everyone stay safe!

Jim

(Erik, the Chillicothe Corn Fest was a bust this year for our motorcars, we found out the "Chamber" was not carrying insurance for the motorcar event the last 2 years, yikes!! so we will not run until next year)