Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 60

[gemotor]

Ah yes, trains in the landscape. It's Erik's IAIS shot for me this time. So far, I'm in the minority, but . . . I like what I like. Classy paint job, classy (Rock Island) logo on the nose, nice contrasty photo. I don't mind the shady side at all, it just adds to the blackness of those GP38-2s. Trees and river and a train in the approaching winter, so very nice. Thanks, Erik.

[da Milwaukee beerNut]

2 Pair * 6's and 2's trumps a pair of 7's. Eric - your naked trees say COLD. Not quite ready for that yet.

Mike's Mitchell throat shot is exceptionally clear - even the 1/4 mile marker on the left side is readable. The loopy 6's on the SD70M contrast with the uniform LLPX digits. And Mike got his GP38 with the door open - somethin I'm sure the IAIS boys don't want to try in November!

[spokyone]

Eric

 Illinois river in the background always gets my vote. But I also like catching the indications lit on Mike's shot.

Go Eric

 

Bob

[Anonymous]

I had to go with the UP main and the side convergence.. the Angle and both trains side by side active just seemed the better overall photo. Maybe had there been more lake viewable (not your fault reall) I might have gone the lake/riverside shot. Still both shots extremely clear and sharp.

[Robertdale]

I had to go with Erik's photo this week. Living just south of the former Rock Island mainline here in Iowa, I get to see the Iowa Interstate on a semi-regular basis. It is very nice to see it grace your voting page. It is also a very nice change from the Big carriers that you usually feature. Thanks for the great photo's both of you and please keep up the good work.

[CopCarSS]

This was a toughy for me this week. I'll preface by saying that I like both shots very much. I've tried to list my thoughts on each shot below, and I'll reveal my vote at the end.

Mike's shot: Well, I'm always a fan of a head on telephoto, and this one is no exception. The fact that you bagged two trains for the price of one in a very natural position (e.g. you didn't force the perspective just to get two trains in the shot) is a huge plus. The lighting is nice, and as you mentioned the shadows are just cooperative enough so as not to wreck the shot. Using the bridge to frame the shot adds to the image, too. The only part I don't like is the dead space on the left side of the image. To me it throws off the composition. It's not bad, but I would've liked to see the composition shifted a little to the right, or this shot cropped a bit on the left side. Could be a personal taste, thing, though.

Erik's shot: This is the type of wedge shot I like. The train disappears into the background rather than being abruptly cut off by the edge of the frame. That always make for a more "harmonious" shot, IMHO (I think it better portrays the train in it's environment). There's some dead space in this shot, too, this time on the right side. However, I think the composition works for two reasons. 1) The train is moving into the shot. In any type of action picture, whether it be sports, auto racing, or railfanning it usually works better to show where your subject is going and not where he, she or it has been. This shot is no exception. Additionally, because we're moving into the winter months, the trees are bare and we get a good glimpse of the river. I think it's huge addition to the shot. What I don't like is the angle of the sun. I can understand it's a grab shot while taken on a trip that had other ultimate intentions rather than railfanning. Additionally, this is the IAIS. It's not like shooting the UP in Nebraska where one can work most angles at some point during the day because there's usually a train in either direction. Still, it does detract from the shot a bit.

In the end, it was a very hard vote. I looked for a long time at both shots evaluating the good and the bad. In the end, my eye forgave the lighting of Erik's shot a little more than the dead space of Mike's. Additionally, I just really like the addition of the river to Erik's shot. It really was a tough decision, and this was getting really nit-picky, though. Great shots guys, and thanks for sharing!

[LVJJJ]

Well, they're both great, but I'm going with Erik's cause I like the locomotive number board's number  better (717).  Larry In Blaine, any body need some rain?  you can have ours.

[Modelcar]

....This week I choose Mike's shot....Only reason is it contains more "railroad" stuff.  The two photos to me seem equal in quality.  One comment I might make: Eric's shot has the train in shadow...{except the front}.

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

[blhanel]

Weeellll, since I happen to have a shot of that very same IAIS engine in my collection, taken near Homestead, IA a year ago,

http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/6832/IowaInterstate1.jpg

you can guess where my vote went...

[PBenham]

I have had to dig out my trusty Vermont quarter to settle this one. The side by side UP and LLPX shot is, well, a bit too tight.
The IAIS shot though is the kind of shot that I can't get enough of. The chance to catch a train when out on the road is always a welcome break, and to have scored on a regional or a short line is what put this shot over the top. (That and my Vermont quarter!)

[jjlamkin]

Sorry Mike, I had to go with Erik's this time. Living right near Peoria, the Iowa Interstate is always visable on my drive home along their yard in Peoria. Also I like the Illinois River in the background. This is the line I have operated my Fairmont motorcar (speeder) C&O M1171 on for the Chillicothe Corn Fest last year.

Everyone stay safe,

Jim

[cherokee woman]

Well, Erik & Mike, you both got great shots!  But, I had to go with Mike's this time.
I liked seeing two trains, side by side, in the photo. 

[Datafever]

Two very good shots.  I would be pleased to have either one of them gracing my 2007 calendar.  Erik, you had the bad luck of getting the sun on the wrong side.  If you could have pulled the sun over to your side of the train, I'd go with your shot.  But Mike just has it all going for him this time (well, except for the overpass).  Mike, my vote is all yours!  But you come in a really close second, Erik.

[CShaveRR]

Well, Erik, in spite of the fact that my daughter and son-in-law also graduated from Bradley, and the fact that your shot is probably more scenic, I have to go with Mike's, because it appears to be more railroady.  Somehow protrays more action, even after one has enlarged yours.  Sorry!

[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 60

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