First, understand that my knowledge of railraoding in NW Arkansas was quite limited, except for the contemporary A&M. I bought the A&O, believing it to be a "fantasy" recreation of the old M&NA, with generous liberties taken along the way: new towns adn names, imaginary trackage, imaginary scenery typical of the area, etc. Then a friend showed me a book, St.Louis and Arkansas, IIRC, Friday night. Inside the front cover was a timetable reproduction. Yes, Virginia, there is an Urbanette! And a Walden, etc. Impressed the hell out of me! I paged through the book, looking mostly at the pitchers, and recognized some of the scenes, particularly in the Narrows. I'd been there, on the v scale A&O!

It's always great to get more than you expected, in a simulator route, or anywhere. I am doubly impressed, Andre.

fwbryan (who may be the last one on earth to have realized all this)

Yep, it's a re-creation of an abandoned line. A "What coulda been" if the tracks had not been torn up and new revenue sources found.

Interesting concept, fascinating railroad.

fw:

I'm glad you're pleasantly surprised at the historical being blended plausibly with the modern.

I tried to keep as close to the roadbed as could be determined via my sources and onsite explorations/personal photos taken back in the 80's.

Seeing as my first incarnation of the M&NA, the 1900's St. Louis & North Arkansas, was to be a somewhat historical tribute to the ol' "May Never Arrive", I tried as best I could determine via my resources available to make it as accurate as reasonably practical. Some of the towns on the StLNA are pretty "close".

Have fun.

Andre