Folks —
Trackside with Trains.com Vol. 118, “Curves,” is now live. You can view it here, and be sure to let us know what you think.
Best,
…This weeks contest was a challange to judge…Different approaches from various entries…Even a funny one…
Solicited help on this weeks contest from wife Jean…Our conclusion was a vote for Andy’s rendition of “Curves”…Contained a lot of “items” including the requested “Curve”…and a bridge…ROW grade…and a massive cut to negoticate thru the ridge, and pretty scenery to help make up the complete photo.
Jim - 1st place for subject
Andy - 2nd place for subject
Drew - 3rd place for humor! [}:)]
I went with Andy, for a great shot of a really neat railroad! The photo of the Brookville loco on Metro-North was a close second, since it’s a New England shot![;)]
Also, the link on the voting page back to this thread has a broken link. It starts out with hhttp:// instead of http:// like it should.
Tyler —
Thanks for the catch; it’s been fixed.
Best,
Mr. Jors got my vote. Triple track, loaded coal, widenose modern power = sweet.
It was a question as to how the picture Drew posted was going to be composed; but it was an expected picture, so, only second place. Speaking of questions, Andy’s reminded me of an upsidedown question mark, quite different than even the loopy looking one, so I had to mark Andy’s.
Trains, curves…Andy or Drew…
Well, Andy’s had both train and curve in his shot, as did Drew’s, but Andy’s was a curvacious train, and Drew’s was simply curvacious…kinda cute too, but it is trains we want to focus on, so Andy got the nod this time.
I voted for Alex’s snow shot.I saw that and said WOW! When I loooked at Drew’s picture,I thought,“Where’s the curves.” Then I saw the billboard! Since the curves were supposed to be on the railroad,I threw my vote to Alex.
well, I was thinking of voting for Andy, but I couldn’t get my tongue out of my cheek, or eyes back in my head or the smile off my lips, so had to go with Drew.
I personally went with the Amtrak Photo. I just loved the curves on that EMD FPH40!!![}:)]
I had to go with alex’s picture also. I can almost smell the diesel exhaust, and feel the cold crisp mountain air, and feel the snow soaking into my shoes. Awesome!!!
JD
These were great curves. Having been in Colorado, the greatest is also at the higher elevations. I had to go with Jim W’s. Great photo that has the expression of the railroad environment.
I know curves when I see them. I voted for Drew!
If it’s really about a curve, Jim Wrinn ought to win hands down. Wow…what a curve that is!
TJB
Nashville, TN
No place to vote??? You have to laugh at Drew’s even though they are the best looking curves. But curves with trains, I like AAron’s as its my kind of railroading. But for technical photography I would vote for Alex as snow isn’t that easy to do.
John
I’m not certain how one votes against (actually not vote for) a section of rail that you’ve ridden on and a mountain railroad that you’ve volunteered on and one still operating in steam–but I did. While I’ve photographed several rolls of film of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR, Alex Mayes’ photo really struck me and got my vote. I really enjoy this feature of the weekly news wire and hope the 13 photographers continue their interest in surprising us readers.
I was all set to vote for Jim’s shot, until I came across Andy’s image.
In Alex’s shot the train’s colors were too saturated, but otherwise the image is quite nice. Otto’s was a refreshing break from wide-open vistas with long freight trains shot in landscape format.
And even though we are all having fun with Drew’s billboard image, it seems to me a brief lesson is needed here regarding standing so close to the tracks, especially with a high-speed train coming. Naughty, naughty.
Well, I’ll say one thing for Drew: He’s a spunky young lad, isn’t he? What an hilarious addition to the field this week. After all, it didn’t REALLY say RAIL curves, now did it?
I understand Otto’s deep affection for his commuter rail line, but the picture just didn’t stand up to the ones entered by Aaron, Jim, Alex, and Andy.
I really liked Aarons shot - but of course, I go to Aaron’s photo website on a regular basis and look at the pictures. He’s a fine photographer.
Don’t really know particulars, but I also like Andy’s shot. Curve, ridge cut, and a bridge. It’s really the junkiest picture . . but it seems to speak railroading at its rawest sense to me. Whatever that means.
I liked Alex’s picture because of the vivid SFBN and Railbox colors followed by the blue tarps, all making for a sensational color panorama. And afterall, it wasn’t a RED TRAIN in the snow for once! . . . . what a delightful change of pace! (Just razzin’ those northern boys.)
I was drawn to Jim’s gigantic loop just because I’m a model railroader and we all live with big loops all over our layouts. That’s a great loop and the steam engine really is the perfect train for that picture. I think the “puffing smoke” is an absolute ncessity here. A plain old diesel engine just wouldn’t have the appeal of the iron horse.
I’ll probably vote for Jim.
Of course, there IS the chick on the billboard to consider . . hmmmmm…
GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF MAN! SNAP OUT OF IT!
I vote for Jim.
Moo’s the word… Andy gets my vote for the epitimy of railroading exemplified – curves, cuts, bridges, fields, pastures and… cow paths. [8D]
DadH