Having heard a rumour that the old StL&NA was about to be dragged into the 20th Century, I figured I had better take some photographs to ensure that what had been wasn't so easily forgotten.

It was a dismal wet day (it would be of course), and I got pretty soaked through as I dragged myself from one side of the valley at Eureka Springs to the other.

Was it raining! - the creek was up, and I figured that I couldn't be any wetter if I was in it myself. Just about missed that, and managed to keep the camera dry....

#2

Would this really all be swept away - what would become of the water tower, and the coal stage (never was used anyways, as all the engines were woodburners!).

And that green shed....now that would look good in my yard..

As I said, the creek was up, and all that wet just about matched my mood

#5

#6

One thing was for certain, whatever came next would probably be a lot cleaner, no piles of wood, old ties and other rubbish lying around - no sir. From what I had heard of Ming Associates (the future developers) they were a tidy bunch, always clearing their clutter up behind them.

Would be sad to lose the old depot though - but the strangest thing - in all the time I had spent here, I had never once seen anyone get on or off a train....

Well it started to get brighter, but not any drier

#10

This was as far as I got - I was too wet to go further up into the Holler, and anyways, my train was waiting to leave.

Would this be my last trip out of Eureka Springs on the old StL&NA - you bet your life it would be (for a while at least), if I could only get my hands on the A&O Sub!

Rod

Mannn.... I'm telling ya, between you and Tim. You guys can sure make a picture!!


Rich G

Rich, Thanks for that - always pleased to please!

Rod

Darn - Rod... Brought a tear to my eye - anybody got a tissue ???


Real nice pics - sir - even with the meloncholy theme... You can sure capture a moment...

Regards,
Scott

And - umm - errr - where did you get that horse and wagon ???

My GAWD!!!!

Very moving images!!!!!

Here's a tissue, Scott.

Rod,

This series of shots brings tears to my eyes, just like the rain. You have managed to set the mood just right for the last train on the old StL&NA.

As always, your shots are top notch and bring out just the proper mood for what you were trying to express. And yes, I agree with Tim H., we could all benefit from a how-to of the proper way to go about staging shots like these.

Paul

Excellent screen shots!!!!!

I second what Paul has said!!

Where do I sign up for "Screen Shots 101".

Bob W.

Another masterpiece Rod.
The mood you've set is perfect.

Fortunately, for those of us mentally-stuck in that period, all we have to do is "click"
and the ol' StL&NA will run again!

Man, that is a very nice, Rod. Very melancholic ( is that a word?). Makes me want to go fire up the ol' NA right now.

Great stuff, Rod! Evocative, yet, some tongue in cheek too!

Ah... the North Arkansas. I like what Tom said though:

"Fortunately, for those of us mentally-stuck in that period, all we have to do is "click"
and the ol' StL&NA will run again!"

Isn't that the neatest thing about this sim? I'll be SO glad when point/click... off to PA and hauling anthricite coal on a 1950's Lehigh & New England... or point click... off to Colorado and slugging up Ute Pass with an 1890's Consolidated... or point/click... off to 1988 and Alco's in the Ozarks... or yep... even point/click... it's 1903 on the North Arkansas!

Gotta' love it.

Andre

Now all Andre needs is point ... click ... another route done and now time to enjoy the fruits of his hard labors.

Poor Andre only gets to see his excellent creations most of the time from the RE or AE and very, very seldom gets to have all the fun the rest of us do with the V Worlds he has created for us!!

Paul

Nice pics, Rod. If there'd been music, I'd think it was the open sequence for a really good movie that opens with a flashback. Great stuff. Not only that, but I noticed several things about Eureka Springs I hadn't picked up on before. The stepped platform, for instance! I also loved the first shot from the other side of the creek - took me a minute to recognize where it was.

Andy

Cuz, what an inspirational set of pictures. You certainly captured a mood there that could not have been captured had there been an engine in the picture. And the last picture really completely the entire set. Of course I now have them all on my harddrive as I have almost all of your other ones, but this set will hold a special place because they were so well done and caputered a mood that I didn't think was possible, but then you always seem to come up with something more stupendous than the last set of pictures you have posted.
Simply great work. As an artist, well, I have been known to have painted portraits at one time so I guess I can say that, the composition is outstanding and I can see the artistic value of that set of pictures. They ought to be lithographed and made available for sale, that's how good they are. I sure would give anything to know how you do that. But then again, that sets you apart from many of us so I can understand not sharing the secret. You and the other two Tim's certainly are outstanding in sim photographers and my hats off to you for this collection. Just outstanding and very professional looking, and certainly inspiring! Good going cuz!

Thanks all for your kind comments. Sorry I haven't got back before.

Andy, yours gave me the idea for the A&O thread above - could just see the old guy trying to encourage his reluctant grandson to go and take photographs where he couldn't get any more, hence the slightly melancholic ending.

Cuz, quick mail on its way to you - see above.

Andre's routes - WHOOEE - they are simply stunning - you have got to get the A&O - whole different atmoshere, but it is there so thick you can smell and hear it.

Rod