Year In Review - Your Best Of 2015

[tbelton]

A few I liked from the past year. Most were of the J611 because I had missed her run when I was a teenager.


One from the roof of Belews Creek Steam Station where I work:

PhotoID: 521235 Photograph © Trey Belton

And a few of the J:

PhotoID: 542573 Photograph © Trey Belton

PhotoID: 533668 Photograph © Trey Belton

PhotoID: 532864 Photograph © Trey Belton

[Kyle Korienek]

Originally Posted by Dennis A. Livesey

An excellent show Kyle. We are all fortunate that you are able to take advantage of your situation.

Thanks, Dennis! Not only has it provided me a job that I can say I have every intention of retiring from (keep in mind, I'm only 26) it has opened a lot of doors for my free time hobby, I'm trying to pace myself on the new opportunities, but it is hard when there are a lot of great options!

[Kyle Korienek]

Originally Posted by JimThias

I'd crop out that unnecessary, ugly leaning pole on the left. But that's just me.




My tall tripod will accomplish the same perspective, and I, as a non-railroad employee, don't have to illegally climb any railroad signals.

But anyway, I agree with Dennis. Well done! Nice set of photos.

That pole bothered me from the moment I finished editing, but I let it slide, and I hate myself for it lol!

[Kyle Korienek]

One of the reasons I started the thread this year so early: I don't always see some of the best shots on here that may get buried after a couple of days of me not being on here, and everyone has truly put up some outstanding work! Great work, everyone!!

[Noct Foamer]

Originally Posted by Kyle Korienek

One of the reasons I started the thread this year so early: I don't always see some of the best shots on here that may get buried after a couple of days of me not being on here, and everyone has truly put up some outstanding work! Great work, everyone!!

We likely could come up with our own forum, or at least a Flickr page. We could call it the "Best RR Artistes on the Net," and have Coborn35 be our administrator. (We promise to not look down our nose at anybody.)


Kent in SD

[Kyle Yunker]

Kyle, first off Im glad you are doing well with your new job and that we keep in touch.

I can't complain about 2015. I did more traveling than expected and made lots of new friends in the hobby. I recently bought myself some new gear which is a huge upgrade from what I had.

2015 started off with a day trip to the Georgia Central Railroad to nab one of the last U-Boats in service and leading a stack train at that. I racked up on that chase but here are two favorites:

PhotoID: 515154 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

PhotoID: 515258 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

This one was experimental but I liked the end result.

PhotoID: 535842 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

The 4501 steam excursions out of Bristol,TN in the summer ended up being a blast and where I met lots of new friends. Nothing like drinking some 'shine and night shooting CPL's!

PhotoID: 536634 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

PhotoID: 536691 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

PhotoID: 536891 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

I received my first peoples choice award. That was cool.

PhotoID: 539438 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

Nothing too crazy special about this shot. I just like how my friend Craig is hanging out the window waving. Hey Craig!

PhotoID: 541250 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

A shot I have been wanting for a long time. The stars aligned and the train gods smiled upon me this particular day. I was annoyed that the NS train had stopped on the other track but it ended up giving the photo an extra element.

PhotoID: 543824 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

This was just freaking cool to watch in person. Wish I had videoed it!

PhotoID: 548436 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

High hoods + switchbacks = one happy photographer

PhotoID: 550350 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

These last two are shot with my new Canon 7D mark ii and 17-55mm lense. Well worth the money.

PhotoID: 559968 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

PhotoID: 560435 Photograph © Kyle Yunker

I've got a few favorites from this year on my Flickr page as well that I haven't tried uploaded to RP yet.
https://www.flickr.com/people/116050483@N02/

[Dennis A. Livesey]

Robert, John, Kevin, Kent all class, all the time you guys.

[Tgranville]

A few of my favorites from 2015:

NS 1700 on its first revenue run after being repainted into its original EL livery

PhotoID: Photograph ©

A westbound coal move on the Conemaugh line after a washout shut the line down for a few days

PhotoID: Photograph ©

A few of 611 on the B-line a day before I went into the hospital to have my gallbladder removed:

Putting on a show climbing out of Haymarket, Va.

PhotoID: Photograph ©

Leaving Manassas to a crowd of fans.

PhotoID: Photograph ©

66W leaving Pittsburgh.

PhotoID: Photograph ©

8100 leading a 66W past the old passenger station in Vandergrift, Pa.

PhotoID: Photograph ©

[loomus78]

Originally Posted by Dennis A. Livesey

Nice Jon; well done.

Thank you, not too shabby yourself!

[RobJor]

Originally Posted by Missabefan

[photoid=xxxxxx]

and if you forget, just quote anothers post and it will show up.

Bob

[BUFFIE]

“The right place at the right time”

PhotoID: 533184 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 551368 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 527451 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 516603 Photograph © BUFFIE

“Perspectives”

PhotoID: 525618 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 526472 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 518661 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 538189 Photograph © BUFFIE

“Do it in the SNOW!”

PhotoID: 520014 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 517810 Photograph © BUFFIE

“The disappearing railfan sites”

PhotoID: 530201 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 557348 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 560386 Photograph © BUFFIE

“Urban vs Suburban”

PhotoID: 525496 Photograph © BUFFIE

“Rebirth of Denver Union Station”

PhotoID: 548036 Photograph © BUFFIE

PhotoID: 541210 Photograph © BUFFIE

[JRMDC]

As usual I didn't upload that many this year; here is a modest selection:

PhotoID: 514456 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

I had wanted to shoot at this bridge for some time, and in general wanted to spend more time shooting in show, and on this day I had a chance to do both. I was hoping for YN2 but, in retrospect, the DF scheme better suits the shot.

PhotoID: 523038 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

I rarely include people in my shots. In this case I was set up for a telephoto wedgie, turned around as the train passed, and saw this scene unfold. Several of the shots in the series didn't focus where I wanted them to - and at f/2 focus was shallow - but this one came out nice. The tight crop was an unexpected bonus. I hope to do more of that in the future.

PhotoID: 526314 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

Looking hard for a creative angle while walking in Chicago. I like shots with lines going in various directions. The dark sky make the dynamic range reasonable.

PhotoID: 527739 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

Call me crazy, but to my eye this up-shot of an F with its wide angle perspective distortion gives it the nose slope of an E.

PhotoID: 527746 Photograph © Janusz Mrozek

Chase's charter ran into an unusually long winter, meaning even the mid-April date preceded spring foliage, a huge disappointment to me. The best part of the charter, then, was the morning fog at the first stop. I am a big fan of the Chessie paint scheme so this shot made the entire charter worthwhile.

I posted a few shots after April but, frankly, I haven't taken a decent shot since then.

[Sean Mathews]

I don't get out to shoot that often, but I did have my first PCA this year which I am very proud of. Here are some of mine form this year....

This was my PCA... my high point here on RP.



http://www.railpictures.net/viewphot...=549157&nseq=2

Vacation in Germany/Austria provided some nice shots...



http://www.railpictures.net/viewphot...=536827&nseq=7



http://www.railpictures.net/viewphot...=542981&nseq=6

And of course 611 came to my neighborhood....



http://www.railpictures.net/viewphot...534125&nseq=11

[John West]

PhotoID: 512655 Photograph © John West

PhotoID: 514582 Photograph © John West

PhotoID: 528746 Photograph © John West

PhotoID: 533448 Photograph © John West

PhotoID: 534490 Photograph © John West

PhotoID: 536743 Photograph © John West

PhotoID: 553532 Photograph © John West

If anyone is looking....thanks for your interest.

[coborn35]

Originally Posted by Noct Foamer

We likely could come up with our own forum, or at least a Flickr page. We could call it the "Best RR Artistes on the Net," and have Coborn35 be our administrator. (We promise to not look down our nose at anybody.)


Kent in SD

I humbly accept.

[Darryl Rule]

2015 was the first year in a while I was able to get out in a couple of years. between opening businesses and young kids, my time was pretty restricted up until this past year. 2015 was special as I got to share some great memories with my young kids. So here is what I have to share:

1. It was a good year on the Trenton Sub between West Trenton, NJ and Philadelphia, PA. Oil trains with great foreign power seemed to run daily. Unfortunately, the best seems to have come and gone, but here are some of the better ones we had:

PhotoID: 516062 Photograph © Darryl Rule

PhotoID: 516065 Photograph © Darryl Rule

PhotoID: 516069 Photograph © Darryl Rule

PhotoID: 521952 Photograph © Darryl Rule

PhotoID: 521975 Photograph © Darryl Rule

PhotoID: 541029 Photograph © Darryl Rule

2. I was able to take my 15 year old step-son and my twin 2 year old boys with me to see 611 in person in Virginia in June. A memory I'll cherish forever:

This shot was tough as it was the first time I had seen 611 in action in person, but a part of me just wanted to put the camera down and watch the reaction my 2 year old boys were having. I snapped this shot then put the camera down and watched the smiles on their faces grow as big J engine accelerated out of Manassas:

PhotoID: 534090 Photograph © Darryl Rule

Nearing Front Royal, VA:

PhotoID: 534095 Photograph © Darryl Rule

Delaplane, VA:

PhotoID: 534094 Photograph © Darryl Rule

As a kid spending a lot of time in the Poconos, I never thought I'd see a Nickel Plate Berk on the Pocono Main, but 2015 brought just that:

Storming East at Lehigh Rd:

PhotoID: 547014 Photograph © Darryl Rule

A different view at Cresco, PA

PhotoID: 547015 Photograph © Darryl Rule

ARHS Night shoot at Scranton, PA:

PhotoID: 547013 Photograph © Darryl Rule

SMS Baldwin working the local to CSAO Morrisville Yard in Morrisville, PA:

PhotoID: 530675 Photograph © Darryl Rule

Finally got to the outside of the West end of Horseshoe Curve:

PhotoID: 551196 Photograph © Darryl Rule

And for one final shot, New Hope & Ivyland GP30 #2198 passing by the former Reading Company depot at Wycombe, PA with a Fall Foliage train:

PhotoID: 551742 Photograph © Darryl Rule

[Decapod401]

Nice work, everyone who has previously contributed to this thread!

After a 15-year (give or take) slowdown in the hobby, career and family commitments are loosening up to allow me to reengage with railroad photography, and RP has been my introduction into the digital age. That said, here are a few of my favorite archival images that I submitted this year.

My first award was a POTW of the 4449 on a 1984 excursion over Tehachapi:

PhotoID: 526460 Photograph © Doug Lilly

My first action photo of my favorite fan-tripper, C&O 614:

PhotoID: 515010 Photograph © Doug Lilly

A couple of that grand lady, the Rio Grande Zephyr, including my first SC:

PhotoID: 549044 Photograph © Doug Lilly

PhotoID: 543533 Photograph © Doug Lilly

A few from my old home turf:

PhotoID: 548769 Photograph © Doug Lilly

PhotoID: 537880 Photograph © Doug Lilly

PhotoID: 536266 Photograph © Doug Lilly

And finally, I love the obscure and off-the-beaten-path. It doesn't get any more obscure than the Shannopin Mine railroad:

PhotoID: 513767 Photograph © Doug Lilly

I've enjoyed getting to know many of you through these forums, e-mail, and in person at some of the 611 events. I hope to continue through 2016, and even have some contemporary images to add to this thread next year!

Doug Lilly

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by Decapod401

My first award was a POTW of the 4449 on a 1984 excursion over Tehachapi:

Stunning!

Is that a shot from Rainbow Cut?

[Decapod401]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Stunning!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by JimThias

Is that a shot from Rainbow Cut?

I wasn't familiar but searched RP and found this:

PhotoID: 194124 Photograph © David Langdon

Yes, this is Rainbow Cut. I always just called it Plainview.

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by Decapod401

Thanks!



I wasn't familiar but searched RP and found this:



Yes, this is Rainbow Cut. I always just called it Plainview.

Well, of course it's still Plainview. Rainbow Cut is in Plainview.

[Decapod401]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Well, of course it's still Plainview. Rainbow Cut is in Plainview.

Sorry - I didn't have Google Maps when I labeled the slide in 1983!

[troy12n]

Originally Posted by Darryl Rule

2015 was the first year in a while I was able to get out in a couple of years. between opening businesses and young kids, my time was pretty restricted up until this past year.

I can relate. I took exactly zero photographs in 2015 that didn't include family or something we were doing. As such, I missed all the steam trips, on what turned out to be the probable last year of the NS Steam program (again).

[miningcamper1]

Originally Posted by troy12n

2015... probable last year of the NS Steam program (again).

Is this a return to the (not so) Goode-old-days???

[Bob Pickering]

Ah ha! The best of 2015 thread I always look forward to this thread and enjoy seeing others work. My wife and I are a team so I will mix our photos up favorites and popular shots....

Starting with popular first:

PhotoID: 541288 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

The all time most popular shot of mine in 2015 was the massive 6 motor lashup on FEC 226. This happened a few times in the middle of the summer when factory slowdowns caused the annulments of a few Sunday night trains out of Miami. In order to get the power back northward balanced for southbound trains extra motors were sent north on 226 Mondays

PhotoID: 518074 Photograph © MaryAnn Pickering

Maryann's all time favorite shot is the 4-8-4 steam locomotive in Kingman Arizona. Steam locomotives are a favorite of hers and she really enjoyed seeing this massive locomotive close up. She was also amazed on how popular it was on rp.net

Now a few of my favorites from the past year in no particular order

PhotoID: 521348 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

I LOVE shooting in the snow! Well living in Florida makes that tricky so every five years or so I try to get into the snow. By chance Maryann had to go to Vegas for job training so we went out a few days early to take in some BNSF and the last day we were in Flagstaff it came down. This is my favorite of the snow shots.

PhotoID: 532777 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

For some reason I just LOVE this shot. The light I had was perfect the cloud in the background contrasting the train. Love this one.

PhotoID: 535086 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

I wanted to grab the big champs on the Stuart Bridge. This is always a tough shot to nail you have to have some luck on your side as well as good light. The train has to be a bit late (the luck part as well) and the sun out (the tropical clouds can get in the way more luck part) On my first attempt the Universe came together to make it happen

PhotoID: 543339 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

I just love this shot. Everything about it says "Florida" and the Susan Komen unit is thrown in for good measure. An easier shot of 123 than Stuart but does require some luck to dodge tropical clouds and showers...which I just did after I got this shot.

PhotoID: 549646 Photograph © Bob Pickering (BP)

I planned a trip to NYC with the mission to capture the M3's before they are retired in the next few years. The LIRR has always fascinated me...a railroad that acts like a rapid transit system. In this shot I got my M3 plus every other type passenger train in use on the LIRR.

Now Maryann's Favorites....

PhotoID: 561134 Photograph © MaryAnn Pickering

Maryann loves this recent addition a shot into Bowden Yard in Jacksonville. She really likes the Champion Scheme and also the friendly FEC crews.

PhotoID: 554780 Photograph © MaryAnn Pickering

Maryann is a native New Yorker and she loves passenger trains and station. She sees this photo as each person walking through as each person has a story and each person is going somewhere. She loves GCT.

PhotoID: 523067 Photograph © MaryAnn Pickering

Maryann also loved the mountains out west and this is another favorites chiefly because of the mountain and the trains overtaking.

PhotoID: 518566 Photograph © MaryAnn Pickering

She also loved Kingman Canyon and loved how the trains swept through the cayon. This is her favorite from out there.

PhotoID: 555300 Photograph © MaryAnn Pickering

Being a native New Yorker this shot was very special to her as she grew up blocks from here. Many of her childhood adventures were on this route and many times starting or ending at or near this station. When she was a little girl one of her favorite pastimes was...riding the subway.

There are so many we both like and it is hard to pick just a few. We really enjoyed seeing everyone's work displayed here...and on the site. We plan to go back to the UK this year for more trains as well as trains around Florida.

We wish everyone a Happy New Year!

BP & Maryann.