Folks —
Trackside with Trains.com vol. 172 is now live. Click here to view the selection and vote for your favorite
I liked the reader submission as far as the train goes, but the background scenery lacked something.
Tom’s shot was very nice, but unless one is familiar with the details of the locomotive shown, there is no way to know if it really is four-axle.
I thought about Drew’s for a while–it certainly is a different type of shot. However, I think it stretched the theme a bit much. Although, I must admit, I never thought of a locomotive as “sexy”.
I debated for a while between Mike’s and Alex’s shots. I liked the interesting old power on the train, but from a photography point-of-view, the photo lacked ‘punch’. Mike’s photo had the theme covered, had better background scenery, had an old caboose, and as a bonus it had lots of axles (on the car ahead of the coboose).
Voted for Mike.
And I voted for Alex…he had what’s arguably the rarest consist that’s still routine, and it’s close enough that we could take a trip to see it.
I’m not usually one to complain much about the submitted photos, but this week I’m forced to state that we’ve been presented with the sorriest selections EVER for a Trackside competition.#### I voted for the Alex Mayes shot, mainly because I could actually SEE the wheels (axles) in his submission without a microscope.#### Drew…what were you thinking? Nothing fits the topic. It’s an interesting picture…BUT!#### Tom in Nashville
haha…
Tom, I presented four axles and diesels, come on! A bit of a stretch, I admit, but something different for you all to ponder, which is exactly why I did it. 
I had what I thought was a very witty comeback for you, Drew, but decided that some might be offended so it’ll remain unwritten.#### One concession…yes…there were 4+ axles in your photo (…I think I even saw 6 axle diesels).#### [swg]#### Tom in Nashville
Forgot to mention, Andy: traditionally this contest is made a “sticky” post, tacked at the top of the Forum. Something to think about (unless you’re trying to break with that tradition).
When the four axles aren’t even diesel axles, a whole lot of a stretch I would say.
I will echo another’s comments about this week’s offering. No picture really excited me. In general we know they are 4-axle units because we recognize the models, not because we see the trucks clearly. I will abstain from voting.
John
Voted the other day for Alex’s shot only because they were F units. But selection was dissapointing in that there wasn’t a real nitty gritty first generation shot of GP’s or F’s or RS’s or FA’s doing yeoman’s chores in their prime.
You won’'t be seeing photos from that era in the Trackside feature because all entries must be original digital images, and not scans from slides.
Alex Mayes
You might - there are still some first generation Diesels grinding out miles.
…Took a good look at the pic’s…but really nothing stood out at me.
So, I felt we’d stay on the side lines on this one.