Been using RE as therapy lately. Amazing how you can get so engrossed in it at times. Do have to come up for air every now and then, though.

Fort Smith is sloooooooowly coming along. I've attached a composite AE pic that illustrates what all has been involved thus far. This is only part of the track complexity that will exist in Ft. Smith. Lots of onesy-twosy industry on the next tile north, including some tracks that will go down alley's.

All of which will be interesting... IF I CAN EVER GET THERE!!!

(NOTE: Click the image to expand it.)

Very nice!!

Talk about inch by inch!

I have spent some of last night and tonight trying to fit a crucial wye in place just south of the IM&S depot area. MOST of that time was spent trying to fit ONE switch in place and make it match (as close as practical) the markers and the data I have.

I FINALLY DID IT!!! Hooray for me!!!

This now means I can bring the Frisco's line up to it's depot area, tying it into the existing IM&S track with a strategic crossover. You see, all of this has to line up before I can strike off for points further north in Ft. Smith.

I will have to say this:

As much fun as I've had "proto-lancing" with MSTS... so far the rewards of this project are FAR out-weighing the "satisfaction" level of proto-lancing. When I run a train on this project, I'm actually running on lines that existed and seeing track interchanges and such that are based on fact. (Well, to the best of my and MSTS's abilities and the data I have!)

It's like resurrecting history!

Fun.

Hey Andre,

Very interesting... I think this will be outstanding for the turn of the century. Any Proto Photos of the power and equipment that ran here? I am very curious.

Thanks,

Galen

Hi Galen!

Bear in mind that I will not be commissioning custom equipment to be made for this project. Doing so changes the entire project from being my hobby, to being an avocation. I've learned that, given the way I am, that is NOT a good change.

Now, that disclaimer aside, here's some examples, some typical, some atypical.

First up is the Midland Valley in Ft. Smith near the Frisco depot. Bear in mind the date on this one is supposed to be 1915. However, this engine was purchased new by the Midland Valley in 1904 (I think), and pretty much appears as delivered in regards to appliances...

And here is an oddball that the Midland Valley purchased...

Next is a pic of what is labeled as an Arkansas Central train. It is in front of the Iron Mountain & Southern's Ft. Smith depot... right across the tracks from the Frisco depot. Though the pic is supposedly from 1917, the engine again portrays the type of engine that was being used during the 1908 era...

Here is an Iron Mountain train on the north leg of the Ft. Smith wye next to the Iron Mountain depot...

Though none of the Frisco pics I'll post here are from Ft. Smith during the 1900's... it does give you an idea of the secondary power that can/will be seen in the Ft. Smith area in the 1900's.

And another...

And another...

And last one for now...

Now, as far as what would be seen:


Iron Mountain:

* On their mainline through Van Buren: Their newest power.
* In Van Buren yard and serving the IM&S lines/region I am recreating: Secondary power.


Frisco:

* On the north/south mainline from Missouri through Ft. Smith and continuing south: Their newest.
* In the Ft. Smith yard and serving the lines I am recreating: Secondary power.


Midland Valley:

* Any of their roster could/would be seen in the area I am recreating.

Welp... that's all for now... off to piddle with some more trackwork!

Andre,
Where do you find all these photos?
Bill

Bill:

The internet is truly a wonderful thing.

These have been gleaned over the years/months from various sources, including books in my possession.

Unfortunately, I can't recall where all on the 'net I've found this stuff.

The locomotives are truly remarkable. The high-stepping Atlantic is defintely an eastern road leftover from when limiteds became too heavy for the class.

Andre, you would never call a Camelback an "oddball" if you were from Pennsylvania. Camelbacks defined anthracite road motive power from 1880-1930. That's just a stock 2-8-0 from the Baldwin catalogue ...

Steve:

I know... love the locomotives of the regional lines.

As for the Camelback... "oddball" in the context of this region. I dare say that the MV was the ONLY regional line using Camelbacks as late as the 1900's!