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
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!
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.
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.
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
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!)
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…
…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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
I’ll have to go with the side by side because about 12 years ago I was train watching at the Lawrence Mass. yard of the Guilford (B&M) when I decided to go to the Merrimac St. side of the yard when I was going over the bridge and saw 3 North bound freights running side by side with each other-3 abreast. What it must have been was a through freight on the Main throtteling up , a second Northbound wating for the through train to clear so he could take the main next and the other was putting out that nights work on the siding to be picked up on the way south by the night job. But alas no camera ,no proof but I will never forget that sight as long as I live . To see the two side by side brings back a good picture.
Back in the mid-70s, I was Trainmaster at Peoria … the track wasn’t in quite as good shape then as it is now. But I am pleased that the line has survived. Good ol’ Subdivision 3A!
Welcome back!
Wow, this is a tough one. At first I thought it was Mikes vs another wedgie.
But as you have repeatedly pleaded…look at the enlarged version. Erik’s is a great shot. I try to judge first by content, then include the narritive. When you combine both, it of course tells more story, & I love that part. Having had those same feelings when “stalking” trains, it’s easy to get into the picture. I always vote before I read the comments or check the totals. It’s great seeing another line, & the scenery is beautiful. I guess the tie buster was the 2 trains. Mike got my vote.
Larry in Wauwatosa
What is a railfan and “Trackside” regular to do?! Both great shots in their own ways. Both had their detractors (Can you have an action railroad photo without any???) Since my view is that this is a photographic feature as opposed to a flag loyalty feature, my vote goes to Mike for more visual interest. Now that the photographic part is out of the way… Erik, I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again… You da man! Any photo that features Iowa or the Rock Island (even if it is just the good old beaver pelt in new colors) is a winner. Is there any better subject matter??? I think not! Once again, I applaud the both of you!
Well I had to go with Erik’s shot. It is classic IAIS! I live in the QC and go to school at Bradley and see them all the time. It is a great class 2/regional railroad and beats the class one’s hands down in my book They were both great shots but the IAIS will always get my vote! Thank you both, for the great shots.
Bill Pearsall
GO BU!
