Eleven photographers, including one Trains magazine reader, submitted images for vol. 150 of our biweekly photo contest, Trackside with Trains.com.
The guest submission comes from Ron Burkhard of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
This round’s theme: While you were waiting.
The picture has to tell the story, not the written explanations. Kathi’s is perfect. Mike, with the conductor standing by, is second.
I guess it reminds me of seeing several Erie Pacifics beside each other in Calldwell, NJ on a Saturday morn awaiting Monday monring’s rush to JC; or the spread of DL&W MU’s and company staring at the Bush Train shed in Hoboken saying “We’re coming to get you when the time comes” for the evening rush.
After careful evaluating the photos, I was left with the thought many were similar in what they displayed and with rather even quality.
So upon checking the last photo I viewed, {Mikes}, my attention was kind of drawn to the “in command”, conductor. And he had “his train waiting”, until the correct time came up on his watch to give the order to all aboard, move it out…Liked the camera view of the conductor, and the train.
Tom Nanos’ shot seemed perfect to me. How many times have those of us with scanners heard the dispatcher tell one train to wait for another? What else do do while you wait? Nice shot.
A lot of good pictures in this one, and anybody would deserve to win. My choice was Drew’s, and the deer had nothing to do with it–an empty track still would have won.
It took me back to evenings after supper, when I’d go and wait for the GTW’s thrice-weekly train to arrive in town. I had very little information to go on, but I’d be down at the junction switch anyway, waiting to hear the horn of the switcher (later a Geep, and maybe one of the RS-1s if I was lucky) bringing the train through Spring Lake. Then, eventually, the train would round a curve and appear on the other side of the swing bridge across the Grand River. This was a year-round ritual for me, whenever time and weather would allow (homework was usually not a problem; I usually had it done before I even got home). The sights, sounds, and smells of the solitary minutes–sometimes hours–I spent in that area won’t ever be forgotten.
I guess I’ve grown a lot more impatient since then–if I’m sitting somewhere and a train doesn’t show for 15 minutes or so, I’m gone. But nowadays the trains just go by (or stop at the station to handle passengers). Back then, the wait was worth it–I was almost assured of a cab ride, getting my exercise by throwing high-stand switches, and developing my train-riding legs. And these were nice, friendly guys–not the disagreeable society-misfits some people had led me to believe I’d encounter. I think my future may have been shaped in large part by these wait
Carl, you’re right. Our futures are shaped by those many hours spent trackside. As a small child I’d wait with my grandfather on a hillside overlooking the Wisconsin Central. We’d have our lawn chairs, a couple Diet Cokes, and conversation until a horn was heard around the bend. I’d go running down the hill and wait trackside, just to wave and see it roll by. Still, to this day, I often find myself sitting out there, just waiting for the sound of a distant horn, the sight of headlights popping up over the horizon.
That time is priceless.
Hey Kent Johnson, who’s this “Eric” guy you mention?
Crushed,
Erik Bergstrom
[:)]
I agree. Also, her composition of the photograph brought interest to a static scene.
I liked Drew’s shot, as it is something I can readily identify with - something else on the tracks while you’re waiting for the train. In this case, a deer.
I did like Kathi’s shot - which could easily be compared to race horses waiting at the gate.
As Henry6 points out - the picture should tell the story.
Hi Guys. All good photos. Wasn’t sure who to vote for this time. So I just picked one and the lucky winner was Kent Johnson. Well done all.
Names and identities were changed to protect the innocent – at least in this case. [#oops]
Another fine batch of photos. But the one which to me most closely portrayed the theme was Jim’s. There is so much going on in his photo–the train, the people, the signals, the weather…
I can just image how those people felt on that wet platform while waiting for the train.
There’s something about suburban trains that appeals to this longtime commuter, which led me to Mike Roque’s picture.
I had to laugh once I had voted. I was thinking between Kathi & Drew, but decided it was Kathi’s shot that first grabbed my attention when I started viewing the page.
Then having voted and seen the results, I saw that Kathi was in the lead with Drew the next closest photo. [:)]
Went with Drew. I’m sure those of us who actively photograph trains can relate to waiting for hours for that train that should be “getting close” (and have eventually given up 3 minutes too soon). The great advantage of digital is we don’t feel guilty of wasting film when we start to focus on other items to relieve the boredom. Kathi’s is a great shot, but the pronoun in the theme is “YOU” so it doesn’t quite qualify.
John