The 6 Train
by spidermonkey

Comment:
I had to return to this image because on the one hand, it's a great concept and a different look at the challenge subject. On the other hand, it suffers from a few unfortunate blemishes which, on initial review, were seen as negative. On the fourth pass, it now makes a much more favorable impression than at first. The framing, slight offset of the model and the concept of trains are all included in a great image. It might have helped to do a little crop at the top to increase the impact of the window view and model, but it works as it is. Well done.

SOO Blueberry Line ~R(ust).I.P.~
by Damzel

Comment:
A terrific concept and a good close in image of the trucks of a railroad car. The lighting is a little harsh and a more controlled exposure to soften the light and increase the interest of the viewer would have been a huge plus and made this a perfect image. As it is, it's a good solid entry into the challenge and worthy of a top twenty finish. Well done.

Last stop
by jdennique

Comment:
A good image that suffers from a flawed perspective. The author had the right idea, but the angle and the offset are not overly attractive to the viewer and does not invite closer inspection. A closer look at a different angle using bokeh and a little better lighting control might have been a better choice. At a minimum, the right side of this image should have been cropped out to reduce outside influences and attract the viewer to the subjet matter more effectively. A good entry into the challenge.

The Loser
by Sioux

Comment:
Sometimes a theme invokes a different idea or concept and this is clearly one of those images which meet the challenge subject in completely different fashion than one might normally expect. A great idea which falls short of perfection. The overally flat tones and color detracts from the subject's impact. The DOF control is sound and effective. If this image could have been tone mapped, it would have helped tremendously and probably would have been a ribbon contender. A good solid entry into the challenge.

End of the Line
by kaiser_chief

Comment:
An image that suffers from an unfortunate crop. The skyline does nothing for the image and while the author's intent is clear, it falls short of being properly executed. It might have worked better with a longer focal length, or perhaps a capture running along the lines of the tracks into the water using a DOF fade would have been a better choice. The image isn't as crips or sharp as it should be. A good entry into the challenge that just falls short of being average.

Train Graveyard
by Buzzle

Comment:
A great concept and very nicely executed. Unfortunately, the sky also hurts this image in a similar fashion to an earlier entry. It would have been vastly improved by bringing out the details in the sky to balance the image more effectively. Again, an image that could have gone horribly wrong, it's almost at the break point between being brilliant and merely above average. A little more use of the zone system would have improved this tremendously. As it is, a very worthy entry into the challenge with top twenty potential.

Old Mail Car
by scarbrd

Comment:
A terrific capture, although the color appears to be just a little flatter than it should be. The author did avoid the temptation to over sharpen which is a plus. The white could have been reduced to give the windows some more detail which in this type of linear capture, would have been a huge plus. Lots of interesting details to peruse and speculate on. A very worthy entry into the challenge and a potential top twenty image.

The 6:19 to Suffern
by HeiSch

Comment:
An excellant entry into the challenge that could have gone horribly wrong. This is one instance where the narrow foreground DOF actually enhances the image rather than subtracts from it. The various angles provide an interesting look into how architecture affects imagery. The combination of straight lines and angles is very pleasing to the eye. A unique entry and look into the challenge subject matter. A top twenty image and potentially a top ten. Well done.

Iron Horse
by rodfulk

Comment:
A very nice antique look to this image is a huge plus. Solid detail is also a plus. The temptation to boost the image by over sharpening was avoided and is a plus. The monotone approach with the slight color cast was a great choice. Unfortunately, the blank and unremarkable sky tends to overpower all the excellant work done in capturing the locomotive and the post processing effort. This is one image that could have done with a layer treatment to increase the washed look of the sky - might be worth revisiting just to see if it would work better. A good solid entry into the challenge.

Joints of Steel
by mgsmith53

Comment:
An interesting view point and one not normally seen. A very precise and crisp image somewhat flawed by it's overly flat tonal appearance - it could have used a little better treatment with adding some contrast to increase it's impact. The white areas are washed out and detail lost which isn't a plus. It is a good concept and just a little on the short side in terms of execution. A good solid entry into the challenge and it should do reasonably well in terms of score.