Give me a quality 3/4 any day of the week. Heck in some of the artsy train magazines guys do these articles, and win prizes with these blurred shots, and streaks of light. I personally think that stuffs a big waste for the most part. Many of the articles I long for a quality 3/4 shot. I think a few basic 3/4 shots should be in any article, then branch out from there. Its kinda like we say when shooting video. You do the basic locations and angles you need first, then as time and locations permit you go for some artsy stuff, only after the basics are covered.
In stills I like smoke with steam, otherwise its not much of an action shot. In video I can take smokeless shots especially if the sound is still good. Plus you have the advantage of seeing the train move which you don't have in a still. On the other hand, I have seen stills with smoke that the photographer raves about, but close inspection tells me the train is either drifting, or going downhill, and the smoke is fake. Smoke looks a whole lot better if the engine is working a steep grade. Throw in cold weather and its magic! Getting all those elements today in the U.S. is a tall order indeed!
Greg