Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 63

[asnjoe24]

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

[rrnut282]

I went with Mike's because it was technically a more difficult shot.  He violoated "Photography 101" and shot toward the sun.  The snow helped to diffuse the light and and he must have overexposed to get the cars to lighten up.

[espeefoamer]

Wow.Descisions...desisions...   Normaly I would have voted for Erik's photo of 6 Wisconsin Southern units.It isn't often one sees big power sets on a smaller railroad. But Mike's snow shot was something special.It was a unique shot in not showing any power.There was just something about that standing string of freight cars in the snow.I liked the way the silos on the right balanced the standing train on the left with the industrial buildings in the middle.  The perfect Photo!

[Cris_261]

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!

[Anonymous]

WoW! That Winter shot is just awesome!!

 

Paw

[StephenDx]

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

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?

[Datafever]

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. 

[kolechovski]

The snow picture got my vote...just too special.  I still liked Erik's anyways.

[Anonymous]

Nolengthy explanation but just had to vote for Erik's photo this week.

[DadH]

My vote for the "mood". Too often we see the train photo and not the setting which inspired it. Muy Bien! as they say here. DadH

[Railfan1]

I went with Mike's snow shot.