Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 58

[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.

Read Trackside with Erik and Mike Volume 58

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 add your comments regarding this week's photos here.

Thanks, Erik

 

[Railfan1]

I don't know whose was whose but I like the picture showing the line of switches in Butler Yard.

[PBenham]

I liked the shot of the CN and WC units in contrast to the 'dozer. Bulldozers are far more familiar to many non-railfans, and we get a chance to appreciate the size of the diesels. It also is a creative use of what many would consider a poor photo location. BTW what causes that bright lighting I noticed? I have seen it on and off, but not for prolonged periods...

[blhanel]

I had to go with the yard shot- neat composition.

[Modelcar]

....I don't have any criticism to either photo regarding exposure, sharpness, etc....Rate both similar.

I did vote for photo number 1.

My choice was influenced by the details of "railroad stuff" in the composition.

Liked the array of switches all in a line and compressed by the tele shot....

Also like the details of what I believed to be solar cells.

[jeaton]

Interesting view of the ladder with solar powered, remote controled (?) switches.  Not visable in the picture is the Mudchicken cringing at the condition of the track.

Got my vote.

[Datafever]

I went with the yard shot.  I LOVE yards!  As far as I'm concerned, yards are the most fascinating part of railfanning.  I could watch a busy yard for hours and hours, day after day.  Are there any webcams that show yard activity?

[UnionPacificVic]

I like the compressed shot of the swtiches over the rather mundane shot of the CN diesels juxtapositioned with the CAT dozer.  The shot of the switches, which I believe may have been better without the diesels in the background, has so much character to it.  You really get to see the stress placed on steel when it gets hammered by heavily locomotives and railcars.  Had the shot focused more on the rails, I think it could have been even better.  Eric's shots of the loco's and the CAT have potential, but it just looks too random.  A better picture might have been one shot from the level of the CAT watching the train approaching, getting some exhause smoke from the CAT.  Picky picky.  You guys do an awesome job.

[LVJJJ]

Number one is all railroad, love it.  I have a bunch of photos of track etc. too, but most of mine don't have a train comin round the corner, just unlucky at waitin for trains I guess.  Larry in Blaine WA (thanx to solar warming [i.e., the earth can't warm itself], it's warming up and not raining much, even here in October in the Pacific Northwest.  Love it!).

[Anonymous]

That bulldozer should have been photoshopped out...It's distracting to the eye.

The picture of the switches is amazing, because the tracks lead the eye directly to the locomotives.

[broarthur]

It's been awhile since I've been able to vote, I enjoyed both pictures.   I voted for picture #1, there was just something about all those switch tracks that I liked better.

[da Milwaukee beerNut]

We have to wait 2 weeks to find out if Erik or Mike shot from the grassy knolls west of Duplainville Road?
Not a big CAT fan myself - though the maroon and custard SD45 is a welcome sight.

Snapped ladder shots at the south end of Butler yards myself - unusual in its easy access. Even a Starbucks and Quiznos nearby!

Here the main lines disappearing off the left edge only to sneak back in the lower left corner. Unlike most TRACKSIDE shots we consider - in this entry the RAIL is king.
Winner - BUTLER - by a yard!  

[Anonymous]

Photo # 2 is really excellent. North America's finest Rail Road, with the finest locomotives built any where, (EMD's). The 2 loco's are of the same company, but different original parent companies. The bulldozer adds variety, keeping with in the " working machines" theme of the picture.

Photo # 1 is interesting, but the locomotives are distant There is not really enough locomotive or rail yard in the photo. Still a good photo, but not quite as good as Photo # 2   

[mandelswamp]

This was a tough vote because I liked both pictures.  Picture 2 was a beautiful shot of the leading CN engine and the dirty bulldozer added interest.  However, I decided to vote for picture 1 because it was an unusual view that I feel was wonderfully executed.

[Rocket Man]

Thank you for leaving the photos anonymous! I hope we find out next week that both photos were taken by the same person! This will make voting more objective IMHO.

The compressed tele photo of the yard is the BOMB! Love it... if someone gave an assignment and said take the most interesting shot of a yard, that may the best you could find. Great perspective of the switches and good use of zoom to compress them and stack that UP loco on them!

[lhtalbot]

Had to go with #1. That loader is downright ugly & sure takes away from the train. Butler used to be a great trains photo location. They ruined it with that chain link fence on both sides of the Hampton Ave bridge. Were you facing north for that shot?

Larry in Wauwatosa

[lhtalbot]

Never mind.....I know you can't amswer without revealing the photographer.

Also, I just figured out where you were.

At first glance it appears the engine is coming at you, but a closer inspection reveals it is on the main. There is no track between the line of switches & the engine. Great shot.

Larry

[mikeyuhas]

I probably don't need to mention this, but just in case... click the images for the larger versions.

[Poppa_Zit]

Great idea to do these "anonymous." Now members who are mad at Bergie for deleting their posts can't get even.

Anyway, photo 1 has a tremendous geometric influence, plus the timing of placing the locomotive where it is makes it near-brilliant. Good use of telephoto lens to gain compression. It really works in this photo by emphasizing your focal point. I like photos that speak to me like this one.

On the other hand, photo 2 says "America is still a land on the move." It has a rough-hewn feeling, of hardworking men with calloused hands continuing to build and progress and grow a great nation on their backs. The gritty locomotives backing a big yellow diggy-thing really work well to convey this concept.   

Anyway, it was a very tough decision, but I liked Mike's photo and that's how I voted.

Note to Mike: Next time you go anonymous, clear the file information. Those of us with industrial-strength PS are nosy when it comes to mysteries.    

[Chris Owens]

Nothing beats an old SD-45.My vote is for # 2

[walthuston]

Guys,

As much as I loathe the UP, the yard switch photo has way more RR infrmation and interest than the dozer photo.

Walt

[fuzzybroken]

As has been mentioned before, Photo 1 has a lot more geometry in it that really adds interest.  The dozer is interesting, but doesn't quite fit into Photo 2 -- the shot could have been better-composed.  And, the photo is a bit too light for my tastes, should have been darkened a bit before posting!

As usual, great shots guys.  I'm not gonna be too nosy and look at whose shot is whose, but I'll find out when the results come in.  Though I do have some sneaking suspicions...

[Anonymous]

I miss the banter!  What's with That? You two have a squabble?

 

(and I voted for #1 - Love those Switches and Tracks with the Engines rounding the bend!)

[Anonymous]

I think that the technical quality of both photos is excellent.  However, #1 is just much more stimulating, visually, and got my vote.  The lines of switches/photo cell poles and the curviness of the side tracks is great.

David

[NYC]

Line up of switches literally rocks.  Great shot of train coming into the yard.

[spbed]

Actually in RR speak what your pix showed is a known as a "ladder"/. IMHO your pix won hands down

 

I just posted the latest installment of Trackside with Erik and Mike in our new section within the Railroad Reference area of TrainsMag.com.

Read Trackside with Erik and Mike Volume 58

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 add your comments regarding this week's photos here.

Thanks, Erik

 

[Anonymous]

I like so many others went with photo #1..  The ladder in the middle-ground area, the condition of the rails, this all shows a hardworked marshalling yard. Then having had the luck of the Road Diesels come through on the mains at the rear of the photo just added to an already excellent shot.  The solar panels powering the throws just adds yet another dimension to railroading.  I couldnt bring myself to vote for photo #2 due to all the "non-railroad" distractions.. (ie) the tractor, the scraped area etc... made it seem like the start of yet another housing area going up on the edge of the lines, causing more complaints about railroad "noise" 

[winnipegtrainguy]

I thought both photos sucked big time. What did you guys do, phone them in? If I strapped a camera around my dog's collar and let him wander around the freight yards, he could take better pictures than these two. He might have trouble snapping them, as he doesn't have opposable thumbs. What's your excuse?

[Bergie]

I thought both photos sucked big time. What did you guys do, phone them in? If I strapped a camera around my dog's collar and let him wander around the freight yards, he could take better pictures than these two. He might have trouble snapping them, as he doesn't have opposable thumbs. What's your excuse?

Wow, hiding behind a veil of anonymity and attacking other members is very big of you.

 

Hiding behind a veil of anonymity and attacking the guy who runs the site and then clicking the “Do not allow replies” so others can’t attack you right back, is only going to make the guy who runs the site uncheck that box so other members can attack you… including myself.

 

OK big time, share some of your excellent photos with us. We’re all waiting.

 

[Poppa_Zit]

I thought both photos sucked big time. What did you guys do, phone them in? If I strapped a camera around my dog's collar and let him wander around the freight yards, he could take better pictures than these two. He might have trouble snapping them, as he doesn't have opposable thumbs. What's your excuse?

Wow, hiding behind a veil of anonymity and attacking other members is very big of you.

 

Hiding behind a veil of anonymity and attacking the guy who runs the site and then clicking the “Do not allow replies” so others can’t attack you right back, is only going to make the guy who runs the site uncheck that box so other members can attack you… including myself.

 

OK big time, share some of your excellent photos with us. We’re all waiting.

 

Yeah, Bergie, go get 'im! S'bout time you fired back.

Re: winnepegtrainguy --

I second what Bergie said. Put 'em up for all to see, and be judged yourself just as you have passed judgement on others ... or stick a sock in it. I'm a professional photographer, so I'll be more than happy ... on Bergie's behalf ... to critique your work. As I'm sure will be a loooooooong line of others here.

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