Nolengthy explanation but just had to vote for Erik's photo this week.
StephenDx wrote: Mike, in the foreground of your photo is what appears to be a stake with a black arrow pointing down on a yellow field with the numeral "1". What is it?My guess is either a gradient post, a mile post or something related to the trackage in the area. Close or nowhere near?
Mike, in the foreground of your photo is what appears to be a stake with a black arrow pointing down on a yellow field with the numeral "1".
What is it?
My guess is either a gradient post, a mile post or something related to the trackage in the area. Close or nowhere near?
Funny, I kind of thought it was a beer can or something like that.
My suspicion is that it is not railroad related. Seems to be too far from that track. But that's only my opinion.
Went with the snow by Mike. Something to be said for a photo with atmosphere. I don't get to see a lot of snow unless I'm travelling the Desert Rd in the centre of the North Island of NZ. Have driven through snow that had just started once, not an experience I'm keen to repeat.
Liked the photo by Eric, an impressive lash-up of power. Must have been something to experience being line-side when that went past
StephenDx: Computers and trains are my greatest interests GMT +12hrs (+13 in summer)
WoW! That Winter shot is just awesome!!
Paw
It's not often that you get to see six SD40s on one train anymore, not to mention seeing an SD40-2 without the dynamic brake blister. The W&S has some sharp looking motive power. As much as I liked that photo, I had to go with the snow photo. With the combination of buildings around the tracks, and the weather at the time, the photo almost looks as if it was taken in the 1960s, or late '50s. Great shot!
The photo choice for this week's vote is very tough, indeed. If this were a creative railfanning photography contest, Mike would have been the one to receive top honors, in my opinion. Although it shows very little of the local CN train being photographed, the almost surreal atmosphere of the snow storm makes up for this. Such an environment seems to give the impression of the perserverance of train operations despite the hard winter, and would be great to capture in MSTS or a layout backdrop. Although railfans are not often out to catch weather photos, every once in a while credit must be given to those who have caught fine ones.
From a pure trains standpoint, Erik's Wisconsin & Southern photos are fantastic. The grey in the W&S paint scheme seems to match well with the grey of the sky, and again seems to evoke a mood that is fitting for train operations, particularly if most of the engines and cars in the consist happen to be very weathered and seen years of service. That's what I mostly see in my area, though the weather is not often as evocative.
Happy birthday to Erik, also!
- Bryan
I can't choose; I like both photos! The snow pic is a really good photograph but the W&S pic is a railfan's delight.
Terry Edwards
Miami, FL
Go Huskies. Forward Together Forward
Fan of - C&NW - Milwaukee Road - CGW -
I like the mood set by Mike's snow photo, especially with the sun just starting to come through the clouds.
George
Dan
I was involved in Erik's picture, kinda. I put together the train that was pictured, in Horicon the night before. That was the first run of the 4054, the yellow beast. It had been idling for a day or three. I got the power together, and was shoving the train up into the west yard. The 4054 and 4052 were the only two I had on line. Open up to Run 3, and a shower of sparks and a cloud of smoke came out of the 4054. Wished I could have taken a picture of that. A lot of railroading takes place at night.
EMDs get all carboned up when they idle for a while, especially if they haven't been used for a few months.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
This week I went with your shot Mike. to me it was a highly compelling shot of the loneliness of railroading. I lack the words to really state how that shot feels to me. I live in the SF bay area of California and we get a light sprinkling of snow every 8 yrs or so. Your shot shows an aspect that many railfans never get to see. Thank you for that excellent shot!
Mike! I can't believe it! Thought I was voting for the underdog but at this time you are up over 60%. I'll most always go for the photo that tells a railroad story and your pix does that. A crew may see this scene before a set out or pick up on that track or at the elevator.
Erik I thought you would be way ahead as yours is an execelent railfan photo. All that power! Nice composition. Nice framing.
Good job to both!
Gannb
Mike's snow shot is interesting, but it needs something to make it stand out, & I can't find anything. So, Eriks shot gets the nod, even if it's just for the fact that it is an unusual sight.
Sorry to hear about the passing of Gil Reid.
Larry in Wauwatosa
Mike's photo! Yes! Not many of us dare to shoot a railroad scene sans locomotive, and then to capture such a great mood, besides. Good work, Mike.
The snow shot, hands down. I could feel the cold through my computer. There is a certain "desolation", or perhaps lonliness about the photo that just grabbed me, and the lighting gave it something of a surreal touch. I liked the 6 locos, but, really, the snow shot reached out and grabbed me.
Looked at Mike's first, then at Erik's (photo) and thot I would vote for Erik, however, took one more look at Mike's and there was just something magic about the whole thing, had to vote for Mike. It's one of those "dead of winter" shots that has a melancholy about it, makes you feel cold just looking at it. Good job Mike. Larry in Blaine (sounds like we've had more snow here in the rainy northwest than in your area).
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