Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 74

[lhtalbot]

after the recap comments?.......well what the heck!

I like Kevin's shot. I know some will say "too cluttered"  "train too small" etc. but I still think it's a good shot. Thanks for sharing.

Larry in Wauwatosa

[Bergie]

I haven't commented before, but thought I'd explain my vote this time. I felt that Mike's photo was perhaps more scenic "Landscape with Locomotives", but I think Erik's was more compelling. An obviously hard working unit at an historic spot - more in keeping with what I enjoy about "Trains" itself. Modern railroading that has not forgotten what it took to get where we are today. Thanks to both of you for your efforts in presenting memorable (or at least always interesting) photos each week.

      M. Lane

Thanks for reading and joining in on the conversation. We appreciate your feedback!

Erik

[Elberon]

I haven't commented before, but thought I'd explain my vote this time. I felt that Mike's photo was perhaps more scenic "Landscape with Locomotives", but I think Erik's was more compelling. An obviously hard working unit at an historic spot - more in keeping with what I enjoy about "Trains" itself. Modern railroading that has not forgotten what it took to get where we are today. Thanks to both of you for your efforts in presenting memorable (or at least always interesting) photos each week.

      M. Lane

[espeefoamer]

Mike's shot wins this time. I love bridge shots!The CSX units high over the trees and the river was great. The fisherman adds to the scene.It is refershing to see something other than UP in the contest.It seems lately that UP photos have overwhelmed this contest the way UP has dominated the US railroad scene.

[Mike M]

Thanks, Dan.  I've been enjoying Mike & Eric's photos for a while now. I just never took the time to comment on them. I checked your website and you've got some nice photos also. I've been a passive railfan since I was a kid, but we were more interested in the caboose because that's where they threw the candy from. My father was a depot agent for the Milwaukee Road until, I think it was C&NW bought them out...I could be wrong about that tho.

[broarthur]

  Hi all,  It's been awhile since I voted or commented on any of the pictures.  As usual I enjoyed looking at both pictures.  I liked Erik's because of the historic value, but I liked Mike's because of the bridge.  After going back and forth on it for a while I finally voted for Mikes this week, I ended up finding it more to my taste.  Keep up the good work. 

[WSOR 4025]

Both shots are so awesome, I just voted for both!

[Chris Owens]

The UP shot wins my vote, Great Job!!!!

[Old Goat 69]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for joining today and jumping right into the conversation.

Do you have any personal examples of the type of photos you'd like to see?

Bergie

Erik and Dan, 

Thanks for the "Welcome"!

Sorry, no personal examples, just offering my opinion.  

Enjoy the Fourth! 

 Matt

[CNW 6000]

Mike!  Hope you like it here!

[Mike M]

I like watching them go over high bridges(probably because we have so few of them around here). I got some pictures of a long train go over the Kate Shelley bridge in Boone Ia. and thought it must be a rush every time they have to cross it. The fisherman in the boat was a nice touch too.

[DennisHeld]

Mike: Could we see the next few shots in the sequence? There has to be a better one than the one posted. Went with Erik for the "feeling" more than anything. Neither shot was a prize winner.

I was thinking the same thing. Both shots could be better if the trains were just a little further down the tracks. The CSX shot could have been made with the consist filling the bridge. But there was too much empty space on the right. Same thing for the UP shot. Just a bit further up the tracks. The UP shot was too 'head on' for my taste.

Nice scenery in the CSX. Nice detail in the UP. Went with the UP shot.

[CNW 6000]

Yawn....sorry but there is nothing interesting about either photo...again.  Just the usual fare: long train, long lense...zzzzzzzzzzz.  You guys need to dig deeper in your photo bags for something more creative.   Spice up the composition, subjects, lighting, weather...something!!!!

Matt

 

Matt!  Hope you enjoy it here!

[Bergie]

Yawn....sorry but there is nothing interesting about either photo...again.  Just the usual fare: long train, long lense...zzzzzzzzzzz.  You guys need to dig deeper in your photo bags for something more creative.   Spice up the composition, subjects, lighting, weather...something!!!!

Matt

 

Hi Matt,

Thanks for joining today and jumping right into the conversation.

Do you have any personal examples of the type of photos you'd like to see?

Bergie

[Old Goat 69]

Yawn....sorry but there is nothing interesting about either photo...again.  Just the usual fare: long train, long lense...zzzzzzzzzzz.  You guys need to dig deeper in your photo bags for something more creative.   Spice up the composition, subjects, lighting, weather...something!!!!

Matt

 

[CShaveRR]

Sorry about my brief, explanation-free comment of last night--I was in a foreign state (Michigan) on a foreign computer system (dial-up) that wouldn't let me get very much in before making the cursor disappear.

Anyway, I chose Mike's.  Again, with the caveat that I'm not a photographer myself, I just liked it better--you can put a nice bridge into almost any shot and I'll go for it.  Nothing wrong with Erik's photo, except--relatively speaking--the lack of a bridge!

[asnjoe24]

First of all, an early Happy 4th of July to everyone!

I like the theme for this week's vote: two different railroads from two different sides of the country! Erik's UP Sherman, Wyoming demonstrates two things, I think: 1.) it evokes a powerful "comin' at ya" feel; I get the sense that those engines are charging at full power, given that you can just see the downward slope of the grade along the length of those auto carriers. 2.) it is another example where the inclusion of trackside equipment enhances the photo: the marker sign, the signals, and the switch gear all give flavor to the context of the photo.

I must say, however, that the rural feel of Mike's CSX Philadelphia Sub photo caught me right from the beginning. Although distance can often take away from the detail, Mike's photo grabs just the right amount of distance that balances detail and a wider view of the lead consist. The river, the bare trees, and the fisherman all give it a very natural feel, coupled with the weathered age of the bridge. This greatly appealed to me, and so Mike's photo won my vote for this week.

- Bryan

[spbed]

IMHO the CSX shot would have better if Mike had waited a bit more until the entire consist was on the bridge

[lhtalbot]

Both good shots. Voted Mike's.  WOW.....very close this time!

Larry in Wauwatosa

[PRRK4s1361]

I have to go with Mike's this time around...being partial to Maryland I do sometimes spend time to go to Perryville to catch the action on Amtrak at the NEC river bridge. I really like the area. I have even shot some pictures of Havre De Grace from the Perryville side with the mouth of the river and the start of the Chesapeke Bay in the pictures. It is really a beautiful place. Sometimes I get to see a river barge with coal on it. I would be willing to bet that a buddy of mine at work here would probably go with Erik's shot though. He's partial to the West. Keep up the good work guys!!

[dorfantiques]

Mike: Could we see the next few shots in the sequence? There has to be a better one than the one posted. Went with Erik for the "feeling" more than anything. Neither shot was a prize winner.

[zardoz]

UP shot: crisp, clear, and all railroad in harsh, stark surroundings, with the nifty sign showing the uniqueness of the location.

CSX shot: interesting bridge, more of an 'artistic' feel to the image. And I really like the guy in the rowboat watching the train pass overhead.  To me, that really reflected some of the awe we railfans sometimes experience when we watch trains.

If I were voying simply on the basis of trains, I might have gone with Erik's shot.  However, Mike's shot is more of a complete photo. I voted for Mike's.

[CNW 6000]

As in what to do with a carbeurator that doesn't want to cooperate?  I remember doing that on my first truck...and I'm 27!

[zardoz]

I keep pulling the starter rope but she just won't turn over. I think I've flooded it now. Guess I better fetch the ether. Is there a spark coming from that plug? Here, keep it held up against that metal while I pull the rope. Did you see a spark?

You just might have to explain all of that to the younger members....

Don't forget the screwdriver for the butterfly valve.

[DadH]

Don't much like CSX, but liked the esthetic qualities of the shot. Mikes the man

[Modelcar]

.....This week, I like both shots about equally.  Deciding point has to be subject material for me.  That will give my vote to Erik.  Simply, it has a bit of unusual info {for me}.....I didn't know the Transcon reached that high of elevation in crossing any of the mountain ranges.

[gapotter09]

I must go with Erik this week.  As much as I like bridges, good old Sherman Hill always takes me back to the West.  Sorry mike....but with me I can not even go with CSX.

 

 

[CShaveRR]

Mike's.

[NYC]

Guys,

 I liked both shots, both were good but you've done better.  Went with CSX shot as we get alot of UP and North Central US railroad shots.  It was great to see something closer to home and a railroad that practically passes my house.