Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 60

[zardoz]

Wonder why the ditch lights are not lit on the right hand train.  Thought all trains were required to have them turned on.

The local was in the yard waiting for the main to clear, hence ditchlights were not required (or even desireable). 

[Anonymous]

Another interesting note about these two pics up for vote this week. I just noticed the train in Mike's pic is of a Triple Crown train with UP power.  I used to work for Triple Crown from 1998-2001 and now work for the Iowa Interstate since 2005.  My vote still goes to the IAIS one (since you can't see me I am on the train), but it's nice to see an ol' friend rolling along on a new territory.  Sure do miss dealing with those roadrailers on a daily basis back in Fort Wayne.  Mike and Erik, great pics of both, hope this one turns out to be a 50/50 tie this week!  Awesome!

K. A. Weaver

 

[zardoz]

Like Erik, I found the colors of the Iowa train refreshing.  However, as this is supposedly a photo-critiquing thread, I went with Mike's image. 

The UP (Mike's) shot had more "punch", as well as lots of railroad stuff (signals, bridge, switches). 

Erik's was 'prettier', but lacked "oomph".  However, as another poster said, for a grab shot it was great.

Both shots were, as usual, very good.

[Modelcar]

.........zardoz.......Thanks for your answer.  {ditch lights}.

[espeefoamer]

Another week of choosing between two great photos.Erik gets my vote because his shot is more scenic with the trees and the river in the background.Also,being a regional, the Iowa Interstate is tougher to photograph,having fewer trains to shoot.Compared to the IAIS,photographing the UP is like shooting fish in a barrel.Mike,I enjoyed your shot too,but could only vote for one.

[broarthur]

As always I enjoy both photos, the Iowa shot of the GP38 is great but there is something about two trains running side by side that I found more to my liking. So that's the photo that I voted for this week. Thanks for the shots.

[Anonymous]

Despite the beauty of Erik's shot - the side by side RR perspective of Mike's got my vote.

[NYC]

Though both pictures were up to your usual standards, I voted for Mike's this week.

His shot of the training pulling out onto the mainline, next to another traveling freight train made the difference. Adding to the visiual 'operation' of these trains was the fact a pillar supporting an overpass effectively created a barrier for which the tracks had to negotiate around. This made for a completely unique picture.

Erik's shot, though more colorful and done in better lighting was your typical media style shot of a train motoring down the tracks along a river, suitable for a press guide or advertisement. (that's a compliment in itself, but not an unusal picture)

Thanks for all the great work you guys do in your photography endeavors. They keep me waiting each week for the next edition. Keep up the great work.

[Railfan1]

Two for the price of one, what's better than that?

[Anonymous]

Enjoyed both pictures this week, hard to make a choice but I vote for Mike's photo.  Thanks to both of you for the time you take to share your hobby with us.  We appreciate every photo you share with us.

[TimChgo9]

I just have to go with the UP photo.  The overpass framing everything, and the lighting just makes it a better one over the IAIS shot.  I love the colors in the UP photo.  Nice composition all the way Mike, I really like the photo. 

 

[Bergie]

Like Erik, I found the colors of the Iowa train refreshing.  However, as this is supposedly a photo-critiquing thread, I went with Mike's image. 

The UP (Mike's) shot had more "punch", as well as lots of railroad stuff (signals, bridge, switches). 

Erik's was 'prettier', but lacked "oomph".  However, as another poster said, for a grab shot it was great.

Both shots were, as usual, very good.

 

Grab shot... I just love that term. Like I was on a Greyhound bus that was passing by and I whipped out my disposable camera to take a picture of the neat train.

As if the spot where I grabbed my photo just happened to have the river in the background. Wow, I really lucked out when I noticed the river was in my photo when I got home.

Bergie

[zardoz]

Grab shot... I just love that term. Like I was on a Greyhound bus that was passing by and I whipped out my disposable camera to take a picture of the neat train.

My apologies.

Because of the lack of usual quality, I just presumed...

 

[CopCarSS]

Erik,

In my reply I labeled it a "grab shot" too, and I still think it's an apt term. It was taken while on journey that had other ultimate purposes (e.g. you weren't on this trip to shoot the IAIS exclusively). I don't think Zardoz was necessarily using it as a criticism. Quite the opposite (at least that's the way I intended it). I think you did quite well given the circumstances of your journey. I'm sure if you had had the time to spend the whole day chasing that train, you could've managed something just a touch better, but it still is a fascinating shot.

Just my of course.