Favorites From 2013

[Amtrakdavis22]

Reflect back on this year and post your 7 favorite shots from 2013.

PhotoID: 461506 Photograph © Jake Miille

PhotoID: 450827 Photograph © Jake Miille

PhotoID: 440068 Photograph © Jake Miille

PhotoID: 428839 Photograph © Jake Miille

PhotoID: 444839 Photograph © Jake Miille

PhotoID: 440794 Photograph © Jake Miille

PhotoID: 454733 Photograph © Jake Miille

Have a Happy New Year everyone! Stay safe.

[WMHeilman]

May I ask why you picked the number 7? It's not a problem, I'm just wondering... Lol.

Anyway, here are my 7.

PhotoID: 457543 Photograph © WMHeilman

PhotoID: 435400 Photograph © WMHeilman

PhotoID: 454172 Photograph © WMHeilman

PhotoID: 451973 Photograph © WMHeilman

PhotoID: 457898 Photograph © WMHeilman

PhotoID: 441514 Photograph © WMHeilman

PhotoID: 433724 Photograph © WMHeilman

[Amtrakdavis22]

7 is my number. It was my high school baseball number, favorite number, etc. Also thought 5 was too little, 10 was too big.

[Bob Pickering]

Hi! I actually started a thread too did not see this as I was working on mine.. never the less here are mine..

So Ladies and Gents what are your top 10 shots (or at least your best or fav shots) from 2013??

I will start with mine based on views....

Number ten, A special passenger run to the Port of Miami as the FEC restores service to the port. As you will see a few of my top view photos were of this train...

PhotoID: 429869 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

Number nine, Three Champions on FEC 101 is a rare thing, that and the sky helps make this popular shot I think

PhotoID: 454301 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

Number eight, Sunrail's first trip into Downtown Orlando... Sunrail is the first Communter Rail system in Orlando and will start regular operation in 2014.

PhotoID: 454647 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

Number seven, New Champion paint scheme on the FEC brought some attention when two turned up on 226 one morning split by a blue motor.

PhotoID: 432855 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

Number six, a special move on the Port of Miami spur provided some good photo ops on a rarely used branch, which now sees the occasional movement and more on the way as the FEC re activates the Port of Miami spur.

PhotoID: 429902 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

Number five, the return of the Champion scheme on the FEC has been a hit for fans and when the first triple set of them ran it was "the train" to catch on the FEC for 2013. I was lucky that weather worked out as well as a late 101 to allow the sun to swing enough for a good shot of this consist.

PhotoID: 448064 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

Number four, Another shot of the Port of Miami special with the bay in the background.

PhotoID: 429878 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

Number three, On tour of the Kennedy Space Center we got to check out the NASA railroad. Exceptionally rare to visit and see.

PhotoID: 452034 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

Number two is this gem I found at the Cape Canaveral Airforce Station whilst on tour with the Florida East Coast Railway Society. What's cool is that that when these were in operation two locomotives would be parallel to each other with an MU hook up in between them so the could lug out the Titan rockets. You can see this yourself if you take the Canaveral history tour. One note, I dream of Jeanie was also filled here.

PhotoID: 452033 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

My Number One shot is (surprisingly to me) is the first Sunrail train into Orlando

PhotoID: 454654 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

I hope everyone enjoys... Happy New Year everyone and I look forward to your best of 2013 and your shots in 2014.

BP

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by WMHeilman

May I ask why you picked the number 7? It's not a problem, I'm just wondering... Lol.

8 is too many, 6 is not enough.

[Kyle Korienek]

No particular order:

PhotoID: 435340 Photograph © Kyle Korienek

PhotoID: 453764 Photograph © Kyle Korienek

PhotoID: 449308 Photograph © Kyle Korienek

PhotoID: 439003 Photograph © Kyle Korienek

PhotoID: 446922 Photograph © Kyle Korienek

PhotoID: 455059 Photograph © Kyle Korienek

PhotoID: 420596 Photograph © Kyle Korienek

[railfanzone]

Didn't upload that many this year, but here's my 7 favorites (in order from newest to oldest uploaded):

PhotoID: 464044 Photograph © Thomas J. Nanos - www.nanosphoto.com

PhotoID: 461901 Photograph © Thomas J. Nanos - www.nanosphoto.com

PhotoID: 459599 Photograph © Thomas J. Nanos - www.nanosphoto.com

PhotoID: 453514 Photograph © Thomas J. Nanos - www.nanosphoto.com

PhotoID: 450913 Photograph © Thomas J. Nanos - www.nanosphoto.com

PhotoID: 449928 Photograph © Thomas J. Nanos - www.nanosphoto.com

PhotoID: 424896 Photograph © Thomas J. Nanos - www.nanosphoto.com

[jnohallman]

I didn't have a whole lot to upload this year, but I did manage to get what is apparently my worst shot ever (based on views) into the database. Anyhow, here's 7 shots.

1. My best performer of the year, and my favorite for personal reasons:

PhotoID: 429666 Photograph © Jonathan Hallman

2. My second best as far as views:

PhotoID: 449101 Photograph © Jonathan Hallman

3.

PhotoID: 430725 Photograph © Jonathan Hallman

4.

PhotoID: 449024 Photograph © Jonathan Hallman

5.

PhotoID: 429415 Photograph © Jonathan Hallman

6. A bittersweet image.

PhotoID: 435358 Photograph © Jonathan Hallman

And finally, at #7, the image you've all been waiting for, my worst photo ever (on RP, anyway), with a whopping 249 views since being added to the site on June 26

PhotoID: 441309 Photograph © Jonathan Hallman

[Dennis A. Livesey]

2013 was quite a year. I am still figuring it out.

I liked how hulking the locomotive looks here.

PhotoID: 446070 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

B&W and steam, hard to beat.

PhotoID: 455712 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

PhotoID: 438149 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

First ever pace shot by me.

PhotoID: 437468 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

My most viewed shot of the year.

PhotoID: 460764 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

This image was selected as November for the Friends of the Valley Railroad's 2014 Calendar.

PhotoID: 425253 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

Trains Magazine "Blue Hour" Photo Contest Runner up.

PhotoID: 438907 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

PCA 3, Railfan & Railroad Photo contest runner up winner.

PhotoID: 447043 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

POTW PCA 1.

PhotoID: 447272 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

POTW PCA 1.

PhotoID: 451148 Photograph © Dennis A. Livesey

[Mberry]

Well I've only been posting since August of this year, but I'll join in! Here are my 7 favorite in chronological order.

This didn't get that many views, but you gotta love matched E-units in 2013:

PhotoID: 448970 Photograph © Michael Berry

Lucked out on the timing here, which led to an interesting image, and my first top shot:

PhotoID: 449064 Photograph © Michael Berry

A shot I'd been wanting to get for awhile, the Orford Express crossing the Eastman trestle on a calm fall day:

PhotoID: 453369 Photograph © Michael Berry

My first trip on CN's scenic Lac St-Jean sub did not dissappoint:

PhotoID: 453840 Photograph © Michael Berry

A few days after, my first night photo shoot, at Exporail:

PhotoID: 454097 Photograph © Michael Berry

I really racked up the 'wtf views' with this seasonal image:

PhotoID: 455839 Photograph © Michael Berry

And finally a cold and foggy shot of a train (CN 710, crude oil train) that has made railfanning in Quebec a lot more interesting by bringing in BNSF power on a regular basis to a part of North America where it was previously never seen other than perhaps a few times a year.

PhotoID: 460927 Photograph © Michael Berry

Happy new year everyone!

[Coloradorailfan]

Here's some of my favorites from this year:

PhotoID: 429621 Photograph © John Crisanti

PhotoID: 453230 Photograph © John Crisanti

PhotoID: 452229 Photograph © John Crisanti

PhotoID: 461637 Photograph © John Crisanti

PhotoID: 459867 Photograph © John Crisanti

PhotoID: 457853 Photograph © John Crisanti

PhotoID: 456846 Photograph © John Crisanti

PhotoID: 438605 Photograph © John Crisanti

[magicman_841]

2013 was a very good year foam-wise. Here are mine, in no particular order.

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[JRMDC]

It was a great year for me RP-wise, because I uploaded 57 shots compared to the 20-some I have been doing in recent years. As the kids get older I can make more time, plus I did several photo charters this year. The following shots may or may not be my best, but they are the most meaningful to me in some aspect. None of these are in my top 10 of the last year by RP views; only one is top 10 by favorites or comments. Some are clearly nothing special but I like them and that is what matters.

PhotoID: 429882 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

Had spring foliage arrived, this would have been one of my all time personal favorites. Alas, not.

PhotoID: 435165 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

Just a wedgie but the B/W really appeals to me; the yellow on the lettering seems to glow a bit. And narrow-cab GEs are a favorite.

PhotoID: 445207 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

The best shot from my Poland trip, the only one of steam in decent light.

PhotoID: 451501 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

Making something of nothing, plus the pastel-like feel appeals to me.

PhotoID: 456141 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

For some time I had been wanting to copy a WMSR shot by Michael Allen. Circumstances worked out this year as I went to the WMSR twice; the first time turned out to be basically a scouting trip. The second time, I got my shot, and then thought of this angle, to my knowledge unique. (OK, someone will now ruin it for me by pointing out an earlier version. Let me maintain my misconception!)

PhotoID: 456057 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

I had never seen this shot done. I arrived, I saw the possibilities, I figured out a strong composition, I made it happen. I wish I could do this more often.

PhotoID: 456464 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

Figured out a strong scene, got some tree, which I want to do more of, and nicely captured what was to be a featured theme of the charter, the engine in pusher service, by having the engine pushing into the picture in good compositional balance.

[Joe the Photog]

All 7 and we'll watch them fall
They stand in the way of love
And we will smoke them all
With an intellect and a savior-faire
No one in the whole universe
Will ever compare

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[Ween]

Oldest to most recent:

PhotoID: 425556 Photograph © Chris Paulhamus

PhotoID: 429276 Photograph © Chris Paulhamus

PhotoID: 429688 Photograph © Chris Paulhamus

PhotoID: 437173 Photograph © Chris Paulhamus

PhotoID: 438797 Photograph © Chris Paulhamus

PhotoID: 440331 Photograph © Chris Paulhamus

PhotoID: 445254 Photograph © Chris Paulhamus

[loomus78]

I apparently didn't get out much during the day in 2013. In no real particular order.

PhotoID: 450646 Photograph © Jon Wright

PhotoID: 464470 Photograph © Jon Wright

PhotoID: 420365 Photograph © Jon Wright

PhotoID: 421085 Photograph © Jon Wright

PhotoID: 464308 Photograph © Jon Wright

PhotoID: 459136 Photograph © Jon Wright

PhotoID: 447974 Photograph © Jon Wright

[Holloran Grade]

My seven in no particular order.

A rare dousing of snow in the Cajon Pass.

Sometimes railfaning is best done alone - it is just you, the noise of the diesel and the cold.

PhotoID: 424706 Photograph © EL ROCO Photography

A wide angle view from the hill at Ludlow.

I had my dog with me that day, perhaps that is why I like this shot.

PhotoID: 422856 Photograph © EL ROCO Photography

Hanging out at the station with my Dad.

PhotoID: 428927 Photograph © EL ROCO Photography

Never know what you are going to see in the Mojave, or why.

PhotoID: 447804 Photograph © EL ROCO Photography

Cause no one else was up yet to see this one (and due to the warm weather, I wasn't freezing my butt off as per usual).

PhotoID: 431923 Photograph © EL ROCO Photography

Because I hiked through the brush on a hot day in May where no one else goes, and didn't get bit by any rattle snakes - I was very careful.

PhotoID: 436039 Photograph © EL ROCO Photography

Because I saw the shot in my head while I was walking around out there, and was able to get it onto the sensor the way my brain figured it ought to look.

PhotoID: 458640 Photograph © EL ROCO Photography

[KevinM]

Here are my seven, all captured in 2013, as opposed to posted in that time frame. Mine are more or less in order of capture:

The rotary plow at the Nevada Northern:

PhotoID: 424968 Photograph © Kevin Madore

This rotary is inoperable, but you'd never know that from this shot.

A super-cold sunset in Ely:

PhotoID: 427486 Photograph © Kevin Madore

I recall fighting off frostbite with 2 of my friends watching and shooting this sunset. Ely is a place where you might consider putting "Hot Hands" in your skivvies, to protect the important stuff.

The new Steam Into History Operation in New Freedom, PA:

PhotoID: 444352 Photograph © Kevin Madore

I like this shot because it includes the historic Junction Hotel, the new "York" Locomotive and the historic Hanover Junction Depot. Shortly afterward, the railroad changed their operating procedures and this particular set-up is now nearly impossible to get.

Dave Kloke's Leviathan on the Sacandaga Bridge at sunset:

PhotoID: 451567 Photograph © Kevin Madore

I came close to wrecking my camera and killing myself to get it. Fortunately, both survived intact.

TR with Leviathan:

PhotoID: 452787 Photograph © Kevin Madore

Dumb luck to be in the right place at the right second. Managed to pull it off even totally backlit.

My first and only wreck shot on RP:

PhotoID: 454185 Photograph © Kevin Madore

I normally despise wreck shots. What made this one different is that I happened to be IN this particular wreck.

My star shot from Osier.

PhotoID: 456934 Photograph © Kevin Madore

I think I shot all of about 4 frames before I had to leave for my hotel in Antonito. I left thinking I'd blown it.

I actually have a few other favorites, but there is something really memorable about all of these.

[cblaz]

As always, here are quick links to the previous years' threads: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2005 (no 2006 thread).

- Chris

[coborn35]

I am putting ten because seven is just a weird number and we usually do ten!

This is the kind of shot I like. Track speed with a smash and all the snow getting kicked up. I think the BN SD60M's are some of the best looking engines around, and have not had a ton of chances to shoot them. They usually run between Northtown and Superior but usually at night so hard to shoot. This was the best chase of an SD60M I have ever had I am glad I was able to shoot these before they are gone.

PhotoID: 464105 Photograph © Max Medlin

Although it so depressing to think this used to be maroon SD9's, 18's and 38's, it is pretty cool seeing these Canadian united used and especially when its a trio.

PhotoID: 440391 Photograph © Max Medlin

I took a great trip out to the Bessemer and encountered one of the worst snowstorms I have ever seen... and I am from Minnesnowta! This picture really shows how bad it was. We still got all the shots!

PhotoID: 422580 Photograph © Max Medlin

Once upon a time all these tracks would have been filled with ore. After the CN takeover Proctor became a ghost town, but has now seen its emergence as a large flat switching yard with the switch power being two (a third as a backup) Missabe SD38-2's.

PhotoID: 433836 Photograph © Max Medlin

Not a ground breaking shot, but this was the last train to ever service the large mill in Brainerd, MN and its unique street running.

PhotoID: 434628 Photograph © Max Medlin

Usually don't have a ton of time for pictures at work, but my crew had this train of 120 empties well in hand and it was a nice day, so I figured I should get a picture. I have always liked this spot.

PhotoID: 433069 Photograph © Max Medlin

There was a time in January where all I shot for the month were Bessemer trios. Seeing them on the Missabe is a real treat, besides the fact that like the color, but the B&LE was a sister road to the DM&IR and frequently swapped power. They sure look good pulling ore trains!

PhotoID: 420850 Photograph © Max Medlin

Its great to see the DM&IR #403 still soldering on almost ten years after the CN acquired the Missabe Road.

PhotoID: 429033 Photograph © Max Medlin

My favorite shot of the Bessemer trip:

PhotoID: 422571 Photograph © Max Medlin

Another photo while at work, as my crew runs through the crossovers. Read the description. Its pretty neat.

PhotoID: 433064 Photograph © Max Medlin

[Tgranville]

Here are my 7, with 3 extras added for good measure. pretty heritage unit heavy.

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The first time I took my daughter railfanning with me. She about flipped when she saw the train.

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Erie in the last of the fall foliage.

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local crew working in a snowstorm

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CSX street running

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20 minutes later and the shot would have been ruined by the shadows

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had been skunked 2 other times trying to get this shot.

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PRR under PRR

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The Wheeling over the Parkway

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Pacing the DLW

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backlit OC bridge

[BUFFIE]

Some of mine - some notable for equipment not often seen, some for old-school paint schemes.

PhotoID: 448786 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 430603 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 444255 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 459565 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 456941 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 461570 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 464195 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 452886 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 430880 Photograph © BUFFIE

[Dennis A. Livesey]

Having enjoyed railroad photography for over 50 years, i must say that the overall quality of railfan pics nowadays is quite amazing.

All of this stuff is pro level for any time.

Great bunch of stuff guys.

[troy12n]

^ a good amount of it is, but let's not go overboard here...

[Dennis A. Livesey]

OK. Point taken.

I was trying to say how overall the change in quality is amazing. Not that all of the shots on RP are amazing.

The change of year is to blame.