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Christmas did indeed come early with the traditional 2016 Burlington wall calendar from Mile Post 206 Publ. Like death & taxes, three things are certain with this unparalleled series: One, the photos are high quality, unique, unpublished & equally interesting to a new Burlington fan or a life-long enthusiast. Two, the "paper stock" is heavy & well coated to make the photos jump off the page and three, Randy apparently can do things with old negatives & slides that outclass others' darkroom efforts. I quickly noticed what set this year's apart from its predecessors and other RR's: its focus (no pun intended) is on Burlington railroaders - i.e;. people!. Of the 13 photos (Jan "16 thru Jan "17) nearly all have Burlington men (& women!) either working or posing for classic photos from pre-WWI to the 1960's. A majority are vivid color, the balance are Randy's usual high-quality duo-tone or Muir-quality b/w (like the Waycars book). Yes there are plenty of locos but NOT the usual 3/4 views. These are working engines ranging from G-3 0-6-0 #1434 to a gas-electric, shovel nose, E-5's, GP-30, Alco & EMD switchers and a handcar! (not to mention a 1920's CB&Q Stores Dept straight truck! I leave it to the vehicle experts to tell us the brand)) and Northerns, Mikes & an R5a. it takes me a long time to go thru the calendar because I am always picking up modeling details (see August for phenomenal composition). I have never seen such a good photo of a Q handcar or switchmen riding the wooden footboards, the entire staff @ a Stores Dept ranging from the boss in a 3-piece suit with vest to a laborer in coveralls or a stubby tower (White Breast, Iowa). Best picture"? Always a tough call but the aerial view of Quincy's yard in "44 is hard to beat for interest & modeling detail. Locations are Lines E & W, sources are company photographers, some prominent past & present Q fan names and university archives - you name it! Bottom line, like previous year's, only 'x' copies are printed: one each for habitual buyers and a handful who get a check off to MP206 very quickly. See the website for thumbnail views of what is certainly a calendar to be thankful for as we approach Thanksgiving. Gerald Edgar (thankful I was born into a Burlington family!) __._,_.___ Posted by: gvlc6@hotmail.com __,_._,___ |