I find it frustrating when I put a lot of effort into getting a picture and it goes unnoticed by others. For some trains, I will plan the night before on my OS maps just where I want to go, based on the sun's direction, timings etc..., and on the day, get my filters set up, ISO/Tv settings worked out in advance so that I can get the best picture I can. I hate taking pictures on stations and bridges as any Tom, Dick and Harriet can do that (although I do when I feel lazy). I love finding unusual, almost unique locations (I do have the use of a car) and if I can get a good shot, then all the better. However, one of the marks of a good photographer is that they can bring a new dimension to a common subject - so a talented photographer could take a picture at Didcot station that makes everyone stop and look.
But, like the man said, this is maybe getting too serious. The photo of the preserved 37 could, for all I know, have been taken from a car park on the moors or the photographer could have been standing in the middle of a patch of brambles and nettles after a 2 mile hike. I don't really care - it's a pretty good picture - the lighting is good, the scenery is good, the subject is good, it's sharp, the colours are great etc... (it could do with space to move in to ...)
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe there are no professional photographers here? If there were, then Demps' comments would have more substance to them. As it is, I do wish people would take more time to look at a photo so that they could appreciate a bit of the skill, effort and dedication that image took to get and vote accordingly. It's depressing when a c-r-a-p picture of an interesting loco gets more votes than a good picture of a boring loco. But this is really a train picture competition, not a photography contest.