Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 58

[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   

[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!  

[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.

[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.

[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!).

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[blhanel]

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

[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...

[Railfan1]

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

[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