So far 42 have voted lets try and beat the 50 mark like we did last night. Encourage members to vote so that we increase the popularity of this contest.
Well, ALMOST the same town. About 35 miles north is all!! I actually went to Denver twice Monday, in order to get my shot for this challenge. Once in the morning with a visit to Caboose Hobbies, and once again later that night. How to compete...?? Get out, have fun, take pictures and be creative. Or do as I did? Put just under $50eek in the gas tank, then burn about 80% of that, driving back and forth! I hit about 250 miles just driving to/from Denver this time. At well over $3/gal, that's NOT gonna happen too often. Then again........:happy3:
Gas is bad enough in GF, that I rode my bike to work this morning.... And it's not even summer yet!!! mg: A very nice turnout for this challenge--we need more votes!
3 miles.. I did a test run (after not being on a bike in 10 years) on monday, and made the run there in 10:37. Not bad. The trip back from the parking lot took double that, thanks to a mostly uphill profile, and a fierce headwind. Wind? In Montana? Naaaaawwww......
Gas prices are the main reason I quit railfanning....well to be honest that and the same Dash 9's, GEVOs, SD70s in UP, CSX, BNSF and NS are becoming boring. The KCS terminal has more BNSF & NS power than KCS. Even worse, nothing has a caboose on it anymore. But I do vote and this has to be the toughest selection yet.
I used to do a lot more railfanning involving lots of driving. Gas was closer to $1.25-1.50 when I was doing more of it. I also have the added dimension that I am frequently railfanning with my two four-year-olds, and so clandestine sleuthing through yards or scrambles down ravines are not as likely as they once were. The kids pretty much know to stay clear of trains, but I can't expect them, at four, to be solely responsible for their safety, so we tend toward overpasses and other somewhat removed viewpoints. I am not going up within ten feet of the trains like I used to. My entry this time was taken, believe it or not, on the way to the grocery store, within about two miles of my house. For everyday railfanning I live in a pretty good location. I can see a fair number of industries, lines, and types of trackage within two or three miles of my house, including two mainline carriers and some shortline traffic, too. Adam
I have to agree, Dash-9's and all the grungy power used these days gets old, but "boring" pictures of modern power sure beats no pics at all. As much as I love the old D&RGW, I still flew to CO, and spent 3 of the most hardcore days with a great friend, covering 800 plus miles in the boonies to capture the scenery. The trains and sounds thereof were icing on the cake. Granted it was all UP power, with a few straggler Espee units, and the token Amtrak trains, but it was still a huge thrill nevertheless; "Trough Road" notwithstanding!
Hemi, you were in the mountains with trains. If I were in the Rockies, I would be happy...period. Here in Dallas it's just the same ol stuff. Wow I just noticed the next post will put the satanic curse on me. I guess I'll just have to quit.mg: mg:
You do have a point... But ya know what? Kids love trains, no matter if it's Borgrail or otherwise. My 2 y/o son loves trains, he could care less if they are Beansniff, Uncle Pete or what have you. He smiles so big, and jumps and wiggles around and has a grand ol' time. And for that, I'll go watch!
In my line of work my choices change every 13 weeks or so......this time around it's a rerun of sorts, but o what NS and CSX run on their trains!! GEVOs, Dash-9s, hi-nose SDs and GPs, old Dash-7s and -8s, and rent-a-wrecks by the score. And it was years since I shot a live F-unit, and here I am mere miles from TWO of them! Or how about BN and Santa Fe power passing a locomotive with Arizona Eastern paint en route to Albany? Shot that in Ft. Valley last week. Last year in New Mexico I was spending 3 bucks a gallon for gas, but still managed to railfan along the Gallup Sub between Gallup and Belen. This year it's 2.78 in some places in GA, and I'm still chasing down shortlines as well as shooting Cordele action. And if the fires down south ever die down, I'll head SE to Folkston. And I can't wait to get back home to see what Borgrail is running on the ex-Katy these days.....about 20 trains a day with Lord knows what for power. My railfanning is mostly limited to time- I have one or two days a week I can do any train-chasing, and lately I've been just shooting NS, CSX and HOG action near and north of Cordele. Still, a great way to get out into the countryside, away from the I-road.
Gotta hand it to Keith I gotta hand it to Keith. He's got a really great photo. Not only do we seem to be breaking a record for number of votes cast, but it looks like everyone has gotten some votes on their picture, too. Great stuff everyone!
Congratualtions to Keith for winning the challenge, it's an excellent photo and well worthy of winning the prize.
