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 63
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
I went with Erik’s shot today, but only because it is his birthday [:D]
[bday]
…This week I voted for the snow picture of Mike’s…but the comparison of the two was really just about a toss up…I liked both of them. Of course we only vote for one.
That snow pic sure looks like the dead of winter with the low sun and it really projects a very cold day. Not an easy environment to be taking pictures in. On the other hand finding a consistent lineup of engines as Erik did and made a great photo of them is really rare to find and the result was a very nice rendition of that scene…
Six locos are nice, but the snow pic won the vote. The snow pic had to be a very tough shot to set up and make come out right. There’s also a certain ‘other-worldliness’ about the shot that I like.
Bill
Very tough choice. I think that if Eric’s had better lighting and color, I would’ve went with it. Mike’s has such a great feeling of winter, though…
hey Bergie
matt liked your picture better.when can he bring the dump trucks to the sand pit???
stay safe[:D]
Joe
Fortunately, the Birthday Boy gets my vote. I could feel the weather in Mike’s shot, and therein lies a problem…been there, done that. And I was lucky–right about there, there would have been a caboose with a warm stove to clamber up onto.
No contest: I like locomotives. [^] I should add that since Mudville, USA got whacked by what we call the October surprise, we haven’t even seen more than an inch or two of that white[censored]! As I write this, mom nature is in one of her moods, and there is some [censored] flying around!
Wisconsin Southern has a fascinating array of SD40-2s in a better than average paint scheme.
While the WSOR does happen to be my favorite railroad, I admittedly have to vote against that this time. Mike’s snow shot is something creative and different, where as Bergie’s shot is simply something I would take, and the kind of shot I’ve seen many times before.
Now had Bergie’s shot had something more interesting than bare trees as a background (reminding me all too well of the almost snowless winter we’ve had so far a little ways further North and West of Milwaukee), and with the six WSOR locomotives I might have voted for it. But, this time I got to go with the creative shot. I’ll be looking forward to WSOR passenger shot though Erik! (which I assume was the Quad graphics special move to the Badger game back in November).
Noah
Went with big the big E’s shot…just got my attention better.
Hey, where can I get one of those diggers, cause our MOW crews need something to practice with.
Oh, tell Tom nothing wrong with the teddy bear mirror…had a Big Bird mirror there for years myself…
I voted for Mike. His shot is different. It’s unique.
I would challenge Erik and Mike to concentrate on shooting more pics sans locomotives. It’s amazing what can be done with rolling stock simply standing still. So many angles to explore. I know, I know, the big GE and EMD locos are more exciting. But let’s face it, we’ve seen so many run-by shots they’re all starting to look the same. Get me a shot of a snowplow (any type) in action; of the old gondola isolated and frozen on some lost siding some place; The track gang working in freezing weather; the rail grinder working away with men climbing all over it, twisting knobs, replacing grinding wheels, etc. All these are railroad shots and have stories that should be told. You guys do a great job, no doubt about it. Show us how you can broaden your skills using all the equipment you’ve got!
Just my .02
Well’ although I’ve been there , done that, too, I still went With Mike’s winter shot. Being from the Northeast originally, I know what days like that are like. Sometimes more cons than pros but very few things beat the serenity of a winter day when there’s no traffic, no noise- except feeling the snow falling and hearing a rolling freight car crunching through wet snow.
You dont see that much living in the south , which is why I voted for Mike.
p ( any sydjjjpeplklliiing mistakes a rhe stricc tly the ca useh ofh my 4 yearn old try ing to help ) 
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).
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.
Congratulations on two excellent photos. In all regards – save one – a dead heat. Hadda go with the snow photo, as (my opinion & strictly my opinion) it best displays the incrediable capability of the camera.
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.
Going with the snow shot! I think Mike’s photo definitely conveys the feeling and emotion of a cold winter day. I also get a little nostalgic because his photo took me right back to where I grew up in north central Iowa with the Rock Island on the west side of town and the CNW on the east side. I also like the fact that you took a departure and a chance from the run of the mill locomotive wedgie. Great composure and exposure.
Bergie, sorry man, you got outdone this time, but… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
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! 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
Erik, you presented a very good run-of-the-mill multiple locomotive shot. Yet, Mike presented a more artsy snow photo that I believe is a better example of railroad photography and of the Canon’s capabilities. So Mike got my vote. However, I still wish you a very Happy Birthday and a Happy Anniversary to Trains.com. Plus contragulations on the 3rd year of providing the readers of Trains.com such wonderful photography with Trackside with Erik and Mike!