Compared; same shot in color & in B&W

[mosca]

IMO, the shot works much better in B&W. But WHY? Why do the colors distract from the lines?

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/2/4/2/5/pc_994060.jpg

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/2/4/2/5/pb_768540.jpg

[LensBaby]

The colors are so bright that your eye is automatically pulled in the direction of the colors and that takes away from the tracks. Does this make any sense?

[jerryph]

Exactly... we as a species see colours before we see details. It's just how the brain works. It is normal that we will be pulled towards the more pleasing colours before we focus in on the details of the meandering tracks and the lines they take.

If you wanted to emphasize the tracks even more, you could possibly selectively reduce contrast and blacks in all areas of your B&W pic except the rails, if that was your goal?