With so many excellent images, its hard to narrow it down to a favourite 10, but here is my two cents worth (Cdn - 11/4 cents US!)
1 Charles L Dischinger shot of the BNSF grain train in the fog. An incredibly moody shot, taken under conditions where most would just stay in bed. Fog is even harder to get a correct exposure in than snow. 2 Dave Cohens shot of the UP coal train in Castlewood State Park in the snow. I have always been a sucker for a great snow shot (I guess living in the great white north gives me lots of practice) The heavy wet snow clinging to every branch in the bacground is very dramatic, highlighting the train curving into the scene. Although the image appears soft, its probably just my screen. 3 Rick Newtons shot of Amtrak in Baring, Colorado. The contrast of the silver Amtrak units contrast sharply with the dark green background, causing the train to jump out. It healps that the power is an unusual for Amtrak perfectly matched set of "Mud Missles", addind a sense of uniformity. A set of BN SD40-2s would be lost here! 4 John Reays shot of the NYSW on the Southern Tier. This is an excellent example of how to get a winner out of marginal light. By shooting nose on, it defies the flat light available, and the semaphore against a background of a hillside of bare trees is much more interesting than the balnd sky would be. The jointed rail in the foreground adds interest as well, drawing your eye to the train. 5 Marcia Lucas shot of the CN work Extra at Snaring, Alberta. The background is as dramatic as can be, and the perfect reflection adds much interest to the photo. If only the sun had co-operated! 6 Charles L Dischingers vertical shot of the BNSF at tunnel 4 on Marias Pass. The fall colours complement the BNSF colours, and the curve is very pleasing to the eye, and the clouds hanging in the valley are a bonus. 7 Greg Andersons early morning vertical shot of the BNSF coal train on Crawford hill. The dramatic low lighting produces long shadows which highlight the train coiling through the reverse curvature, contrasting with the brightly lit sand cuts. 8 John Reays shot of the CP MLW's at Port Hope, Ontario. This shot again uses dramatic low light (this time evening) to highlight the train against a background of tan and brown hillsides. The old wooden bridge in the background adds even more interest. 9 Jan Lindahls shot of the ore train at Vassijuare. The lighting and the colours of the train virtually jumpout at you, and he has sucessfully minimized the impact of the catenary which can often be so distracting when photographing electrified lines. 10 Warren Calloways shot of the CN in the Fraser Canyon. The graceful curving of the river and the train are brought out dramatically by a light dusting of snow on the ground. The only drawbacks to this shot in my opinion is the lack of any sky (and accompanying mountains) and the annoying fence post in the left corner (hacksaw anyone?) Gary R. Zuters [EMAIL PROTECTED] -> SPORRS: 'Serious Photographers Of Railroad Related Subjects' -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/ -> Message © 1998 SPORRS® - All Rights Reserved
