What an interesting site that is devloping!

http://www.northarkansasline.com/new_page_1.htm

Andre, looks interesting - saved to my favourites - thanks for the heads up

Rodster

Hello Big Poobah!

A real great find! Seems to be the book I usually buy after running a great route on MSTS! What a pity there in`t one about the StL&NA so far.
Yes, I confess as I studied history I am still addicted to this old fashioned stuff like books made of paper
In december I think 80 percents of my runs on MSTS were somewhere between Seligman and Urbanette somewhen between 1901 and 1988.

Did you ever think about a third version of StL&NA/A&O sub which plays in the 30ies or 40ies?!
The pics of the railcar and the steamers are looking really promising!

Christian

Rodster:

You're welcome!

Christian:

> I am still addicted to this old fashioned stuff like books made of paper

They are still an invaluable resource to me. I continue to purchase them.

> Did you ever think about a third version of StL&NA/A&O sub which plays
> in the 30ies or 40ies?!

Many times. In particular, the year 1944. That was the year the most tonnage EVER moved over the StLNA/M&NA/M&A system. One million tons worth of freight moved through the Ozark hills on the rails of the M&A in that one year.

Unfortunately, my concerns were/are many, some practical, some economical.

Practical: Concerns about how much additional route would need to be built to represent the line's operations reasonably accurately. At the M&A's fullest operation, the district that contained Seligman/Urbanette was some 135 miles long and ran from Joplin, MO, to Harrison, AR. That's a ton of railroad and supporting custom objects to build by yourself in MSTS, to say nothing of the equipment needed.

Economical: How to price/market such a product for it to EVER be a viable effort.

However, I still can't divorce myself from my appreciation for the ol' M&A in view of MSTS. The temptation still rears its head on ocassion.

> The pics of the railcar and the steamers are looking really promising!

You ought to see the "modern" (such as they were) steamers they used in the later years. Handsome indeed. Burly looking consolidateds (40 Class), handsome mikados (50 Class)... good stuff. It would have been glorious to see such pounding up Capps Hill just west of Harrison. Knowing that I could recreate it in MSTS only adds to the temptation. (sigh)

However, I have many current things to do in MSTS... so when the Holidays are behind us it's back to work!

The M&NA #18 on the NAL Site is certainly an interesting loco!
Capped stack, spoked pilot wheels, slide-valves, but a Vanderbilt tender!

Great site, Andre!

Tom:

Yes, the StLNA/M&NA/M&A had very interesting motive power. Nothing truly exotic, mind you, just basic, fascinating steam power with little surprises here and there. (Like the Vandy tenders behind some of them.)

Plus, who would have thought you'd see New York Central steam in the Ozarks?? Only on the North Arkansas! During the M&NA years (1926-1934), Pres & Gen Mgr W. Stephenson purchased 10 former NYC/Big Four engines. These were handsome, fat boilered brutes that were too heavy for their bridges! That's right, the line had to go out and spend big $$ to beef up their bridges in order to use the "new" second hand power! How's that for good managment??

Below you'll see a pic of one of the Class 40 Consols preparing to leave the Harrison (AR) yard...

Andre,
I wonder who all is involved with this group. The Younger's steam loco is now located in a city park just south of Harrison. One of the addresses listed was Harrison; the other was in Missouri. Tm Kubat, from around Springfield, used to be very actively interested in the line. It was his map of Harrison I sent you. I'll see what I can find out from a couple of local M&NA fans.

Bill Hobbs

For giggles, here's an overview of the Harrison yard area. Note the elevation differences that exist in the very compact yard area.

Slightly off topic: Does anyone know why in the name of sense this fool HP Scanjet 3970 is a hit or miss affair with black and white???

Sometimes it will scan with horrendous dot/maze that I cannot seem to eliminate and results in the poor quality pic seen in the Harrison yard shot.

Bill:

Given my long time interest in the StLNA/M&NA/M&A... I would be most appreciative of any data/resources you may unearth. Especially tempting would be more maps of various towns in the First District.

Hey, I may have a diesel route on the back burner as the "next one"... but I can always dream about the M&A, can't I?

Andre, presumably the shot that is giving the screen problem is out of a publication of some sort (i.e., not an original photograph).

You are probably picking up the original dot printing of the image, and when it is being scanned by your scanner, the dots per inch on your scanned image will not match, hence the slight moire effect and general low quality.

Do you have a "descreen" button or command on the scanner interface when you fire up the scanner? On mine, an HP Diamond 1200Plus (a real cheapy ) it gives me the option under the descreen "button" of;

None
Newspaper
Magazine
Artprint
Custom

These roughly represent the different qualities of printing DPI.

Alternatively (or in sync), you could jack up your scanned DPI - the Diamond goes up to 19200, which would probably take a week to scan

You might already be aware of this, but it might be the solution.

Rodster

Good morning Andre!

With the 3rd version I just intended a slightly rebuilt A&O or StL&NA as I know your three jobs and your frretime very well
It has been just a spontaneous idea which came down like a lightening from the sky...
... a lightening which caused some unwanted trouble.
As a non specialist of the StL&NA-history I didn`t know that it had been that long.
Hundredthirtyfive miles. Would be three times the A&O....
...but the more I think about, the more I like the idea I spoke out more or less without big contemplation.



Yeah and as I see also you`re beginning to dream a bit about the M&A
To answer your question, yeah you can always dream of it
What would be human beings without dreams ???!
I think without dreams none of your routes would have come true
And as you`re dreaming why not dream in divisions or steps ;-) 1st, 2nd 3rd?! Just an idea... It would make it more realistic for you to realize it this way if you´re feeling that it will be one of the next things you want to do.
Anyhow, just the idea of a revised 3d A&O version sounds great. With the Ozark-Northern-rivers, more curves and even more grades and steam....
A wonderful idea...
I better finish thinking about - otherwise I beginn really dreaming and yeah I am sitting in my office now
Just seeing your new pics you posted makes me this
Let us dream of it! Dreams are the best institution our lord
provided to us...

With best wishes from icy Germany,

Christian

Mr. Ming was reported saying:

So there was a diamond at one ponit there in Seligman? Or did they use some kind of trackage rights from Seligman northward to somewhere near Exeter? I've railfanned that part of the A&M once or twice...so I think I have a "clue" as to what is there. And I'm looking at a detailed road map of SW Missouri. A couple of the towns listed I can't find on my map for a reference. Towns like: Monark Springs and Wayne. I did manage to find Ridgley after I got down to the two mile detailed map. After the railroad was givin up...did the State of Missouri pave part of the ROW to become Hwy 76/86? That highway goes to several of the small towns listed on the First District. Maybe I should pick up one of those new fangled things called a book. I hear there is one written about the Railroads of Arkansas; wonder if there would be anything about the ROW in SW Missouri?

Awsome site!

Rod:

It has "descreen", but doesn't seem to do squat. I'll poke around some more.

Christian:

A dreamer I am. Unfortunately, I have the other side of me that injects a dose of reality into whatever I'm dreaming up.

Also, I need to correct something, the First District is "only" 126 miles long.

IF I ever extended the StLNA/A&O, it would be to Harrison, some 34.5 miles. In otherwords, a doubling of the StLNA route mileage.

The remaining 60 or so miles of track in the First District was Seligman to Joplin which included trackage rights over the SLSF (9.43 miles) and KCS (19.70 miles). Even if I DID try to extend the StLNA/A&O, I really would not be interested in trying to reach Joplin on account of having to deal with the White Void, as well as the equipment issues it would introduce.

Zach:

No diamond at Seligman. The M&NA/M&A had 9.43 miles of trackage rights over the SLSF from Wayne to Seligman. No diamonds at either end, merely a switch junction.

As to a "clue" to where the M&A was located in Seligman, bear in mind the M&A shared the same terminal area with the SLSF exactly as depicted in my StLNA route.

The M&A's southeasterly mainline out of Seligman is still visible: Near the north end of "town", it's the deep cut the hiway passes over. From that point, the roadbed heads SE out of town. If you'll take the dirt road SE out of town that is near the cut, this time of year (minimal undergrowth foliage) you will see the roadbed quite easily. You can follow it for several miles.

Okie doakie... next question?

Andre, try scanning under a higher DPI, say 600 or even 1000. The point is, doing that you stand a reasonable chance of picking up all of every dot used in the original print, and not picking up a pattern where parts of dots are scanned, and other parts missed.

Rodster

Ooops, seems I dropped another brick.... 126 miles...
Would be really a bit much for a one man enterprise doing 3 jobs
one time....
Before I drop some more bricks lets look how your intentions about


are developing or not.

Would be very interesting a doubling of the track

You must know until yesterday the StL&NA was a shortline of some 30 odd miles for me and now we`re talking about hundreds of these distance units....
Being a bit confused now I´ll look forward what might develop in this thread and I`ll sit down just for listening

Christian

Rod:

Will do.

Christian:

No need for confusion, I will enlighten you...

* The StLNA route represents the very early construction of the expansion of the prototype StLNA. That's why it is only 34 miles or so long. Every new railroad starts small. (I chose this time frame as a way to avoid having too much route to build.)

* When the StLNA was fully completed, it stretched 359 miles from Joplin, Missouri to Helena, Arkansas.

* The only portion of that 359 miles I would be tempted to build would be from Seligman, Missouri to Harrison, Arkansas, which equals about 65 miles. Of that, I already have the Seligman to Freeman section included in the StLNA, resulting in needing an additional 35 miles or so of route constructed in order to reach Harrison.

Now, here's the part that you must remember: I am only discussing my thoughts about this route. At this point I do not intend, or am I seriously considering, extending the StLNA and updating to 1944.

A reminder...

A this point, there are two routes on the table being pursued and in this order:

1. The current Ozark Northern.

2. The Rock Island Hot Springs Branch.

Of these, the Rock Island idea will still need to be explored more fully in order to establish if it is attainable in regards to amassing needed textures and data for a late 1960's era.

Keep in mind that once a route is selected, a major hurdle is the supporting cast (items) that needs to be built in order to breathe life into the route. Needed for these items are such things as:

* Appropriate textures for engines.
* Appropriate textures for rollingstock.
* Appropriate textures for vehicles.
* Suitable textures for structures.
* Field data.
* Technical data. (Timetables, track charts, anything one can unearth.)
* Operational data.
* Etc, ad nauseum!

Building a prototype-based route is a very, very involved process. Basing it in an older era instead of a recent time frame will increase the challenges.

Hi Andre,

thanks for your enlightenment Now I know that line which I regarded to come as a SHORTline not fully completed are just the beginnings of an 359 Miles road...

This resolved the confusing part for me. Now some more details are clear to me.
I always considered the StL&NA as a stand-alone route until today
But now I know a bit more
For the other thing
I didn`t take the discussion so far for more than just a just theoretic discussion of possibilities.

Just the route itself created some confusion...
Your thoughts about the extension I understand very well. It takes dozens of hours recreating a locomotive and even more a route. F.e. I spent ca. 25 hours for getting my 25 tonner to where I wanted it.
And for the routes its even worse. Just for the for the rebuild of the SR&RL which is slowly beginning I had to buy books for 100s of $ and well... they all wanted to be read one day.
And for the NG-project in which I am taking part I gave up counting how much houses, bridges, cars etc I built since the summer of 2004
At 1st I`ll look forward for the Ozark Northern to come.
Will be a great route which supplies enough work for guys like me

Christian

Another Pic....

Here's a photo of the actual loco.

Two of these 2-foot gauge diesels were built by GE in the 1950s for the
Whitinsville Machine Co in Massachusetts for use on their plant trackage.
Both units are now at the Maine Narrow Gauge Museum in Portland.

Christian did a great job on the model!!

Indeed he did! Neat looking little critter!

Zach:

Noticed I failed to answer some questions you asked in this thread previously, I will endeavor to do so now:

> A couple of the towns listed I can't find on my map for a reference.
> Towns like: Monark Springs and Wayne.

Your wish is my command.

Go to topozone.com and type in "Monark Springs" and select "MO", hit "Search".

Do the same for Wayne.

Presto. Your mystery is solved.

BTW, the maps in Topozone have those detailed roads you mentioned that you desired. Simply print the map being viewed.

>...did the State of Missouri pave part of the ROW to become Hwy 76/86?
> That highway goes to several of the small towns listed on the First District.

Very likely. I'm not familiar with the exact location you're in reference to, but once you cruise through that area using Topozone, it will become obvious as to whether or not the highway is the ROW.

> Maybe I should pick up one of those new fangled things called a book.

You might be surprised what you can learn if you go offline and actually read a book! I love good RR books, as my continually growing library attests.

> I hear there is one written about the Railroads of Arkansas; wonder
> if there would be anything about the ROW in SW Missouri?

I suspect you are referring to "Shortline Railroads of Arkansas" by Clifton Hull. I have an old original. There is lots of information therein, as well as some interesting pictures. However, much of the data in regards to the NW Ark area has since been updated with more accurate info unearthed by yours truly as well as other sources.

If the North Arkansas in particular is your aim, then there is no other book other than the excellent work by James Fair titled: "The North Arkansas Line". Though a small hardback format with pulp paper pages (which causes the priceless photos to not be of the greatest quality), if you can find a copy, it is a dandy and the ONLY definitive game in town for the North Arkansas.

EDITt: Through the wonders of the internet, a quick search reveals several copies of "The North Arkansas Line" are available here and there.

If you're looking for old ROWs, do a search for old US Geological Survey Maps.

www.maptech.com had scanned USGS maps from the 1920s and 1930s that
were invaluable in locating an old route on current Topomaps.

In several cases, roads were relocated to old ROWs, or the ROW became \
current 4WD trails.

Thanks for the tip, Tom.

Unfortunately, neither Missouri or Arkansas had a listing under the Historic maps index.

Bummer.

In keeping with the North Arkansas theme of this thread... below you'll find a pic that I scanned from a slide I took many moons ago. You're looking at an acceptable representation of a turn of the 19th century locomotive sitting right smack in the actual Eureka Springs yard area!

Ah... steam in the Ozarks!!

Whose li'l Mogul was that, Andre? Sweet little hog!

Hi Andre!

Interesting pic! Looks a bit like a colour-retouche of a black-white photos at thebeginning of the 20th centaury. At least this slide provides a bit of their atmospehere.
I like this ancient stuff! About the retouched Sandy River postcards I read this work was done in Germany for the lil 2-footer. I never thought this biz has been a speciality of my ancestors...
I also decided to fill my knowledge-gaps and to look around the book you`re promoting:

I am almost through my Sandy River books and need some new stuff to read!
Yeah, I think ABEbooks will`ve the one or another copy for me!

I wish you all a happy new year with lots of RR-fun in the Ozarks!
With best new-year-wishes from Germany where the old year ends in 11h 11 minutes...

Christian

Just ordered the North Arkansas Line from Amazon. Thanks for the heads up.

Me too! 22 $ for the book should be a good price!

Christian

Herb:

That used to belong to the "Grigsby" collection and was on lease to the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas, where I photographed it as you see it in the early 80's. I'm uncertain if the ES&NA ever purchased it or not. I do know that it is no longer active and has been on display only for a few years due to the $$ it would require to bring it up to boiler specs. I learned to run steam on that little sweetie. Talk about wonderful stack talk!! That cabbage head exhaust stack added a resonance to the exhaust bark that was wonderful... and its whistle was glorious, too. I used to give myself goose bumps running it!!

As I recall, it's a Baldwin product of 1906.

There is a sister engine to it, #2, also of the "Grigsby" collection, but it was converted to oil and has a straight stack. I have pics of it when it was down at Scott, Arkansas on the "Scott & Bearskin Lake" tourist line.

Christian:

Seeing that it was scanned from a transparency, the pic does have an "odd" look to it, somewhat remniscent of those old colorized postcards.

Steve & Christian:

Cool! (On the purchase of the book "North Arkansas Line".) I found the North Arkansas' history fascinating. It never really stood much of a chance financially, which makes it even more amazing that it survived for 50 years!

I ought to pick up another copy myself. I purchased the one I own at the ES&NA depot's Gift Shop back in '82 or '83. (ES&NA owner Bob Dortch had the book reprinted so it could be sold in the Gift Shop.) Over the years, I've pretty much worn it out. (Being scanned on the flatbed often hasn't helped.) I think I paid $15 for mine.

The North Arkansas' nickname was taken from the initials "M&NA" and was called the "May Never Arrive".

Well, all for now!

LOL!!

I just hopped over to Amazon.com to purchase a second copy of "The North Arkansas Line" to use as my "shelf/reading" copy (retaining this very worn one for my working copy) and... they're GONE!!

You guys have already purchased the $22 North Arkansas Line books!!

There was something like 5 or so yesterday... but no more!

Wow. Is VSC singlehandedly responsible for elevating the North Arkansas to almost "popular" status????

Seriously, it is very gratifying that (to a lesser degree) my punitive efforts HAVE raised the consciousness of several hundred rail enthusiasts about the charm and fascination of The May Never Arrive.

Hi Andre!

Real interesting like VSCALECREATIONS pushed the demand
I think I ordered the 2nd last for 22 USD
Who bought the last remaining one for this price?
I am innocent
Yeah, seems you made the StL&NA getting cult-status
The next books will be sold for 200 $ or so

Might also VSCALECREATION`s "The May Never Arrive RR" arrive one
day at this popularity!!!

It doesn`t become boring running it! I spent this month estimated 20 hours on it...

And before I close: A happy new year 2006 to everone!!!

Christian

...who celebrates the new year in 5 hours 47 minutes.

Posted by Andre:


I wonder if Amazon would be interested in giving you a cut of the profit...or at least a discount on your copy? You did point everyone that way and built an interest for a railroad that few have heard about outside Arkansas/Missouri. I wish the happiest of happy new years to all everyone. And please remember our troops servicing overseas. That goes to our allies on the other side of "the pond" as well.

Zack Hilton & family

Zack said:

"...and built an interest for a railroad (ed: StLNA/M&NA/M&A) that few have heard about outside Arkansas/Missouri."

Oddly, that aspect of all this is very gratifying.

Since my discovery of the ol' May Never Arrive back in the mid-70s, I've known it was a fascinating operation that struggled against insurmountable odds. Bill Hobbs likens the M&A to an Ozarks version of the Rio Grande Southern. I agree. Once you get intimately familiar with the history and modus operandi of the M&A, you can definitely see the resemblances!

So, yes, to be able to share the StLNA (and maybe someday the M&A?) in the way that MSTS affords is frosting on the cake.

BTW, if an M&A route from VSC ever does see the light of day... some of the grades east of the modeled portions on the StLNA/A&O will make the long climb to Tunnel look like child's play. We're talking 8 miles of 1.75% up Capps Hill westbound out of Harrison, and 6 miles of the same eastbound just out of Alpena to Batavia! PLUS, the track condition was such you couldn't get 40+ MPH "runs" at them! Talk about slugging your way up grades.

BTW2: During the later years, many lightweight bridges could not handle true double headers. The result? The helper was cut-into the train farther back to avoid overloading the bridges. This made for a cool looking sight!

Here's another poor scan to illustrate what I'm talking about...

Hi all,
a happy new year for you!!!

Andre:

Sounds great the type of activity the M&A did handle. The MA&PA had similar problems like my scan from the boook "The MA&PA" by George W. Hilton proves.
Although they said the trestle could stand the weight of two locomotives they preferred to put the 2nd in the middle of the train...
Finally when the 1st already has left the trestle the 2nd was allowed to enter it :-)

Would be a new dimenstion of virtual railroading rebuilding such a route for the MSTS

Crashing trestles weren`t that uncommon I`ve heard?!

Happy rails,

Christian

Here the trestle gave way on the Central California Traction...
The engine was scrap, the engineman escaped without any injuries.

Christian

That's the jewel of the St.L.&N.A. The RGS and Ma & Pa are well documented and have a huge (large?) following. But here's a little road every bit as charming and few knew about it.

There's a Ma & Pa enthusiast at work: lives near the ROW; helping to restore No. 8; Ma & Pa calendars/screensaver; the whole enchilada. I forwarded him the VSC Products page and he was mesmerized: "This is an MSTS route?" Yup. "And you get to run this equipment?" Yup. "Unbelievable!" My boss, when he saw the NA Equipment Pack said, "Get thee behind me! The last thing I need is another addicting hobby!" He knows of what he speaks ...

So be gratified Andre. We are extremely grateful for your mad scheming and efforts. And remember those three Ma & Pa cars in our rail yard just waiting to be digitally transferred to the ON!

Christian:

Neat trestle MA&PA pic. For a brief moment, I thought you had unearthed a North Arkansas pic I hadn't seen!!!

Steve said:

"That's the jewel of the St.L.&N.A... (others roads) are well documented and have a... following. But here's a little road every bit as charming and few knew about it."

If I were a betting man (I'm not), I would venture that prior to the release of the StLNA route, only three of us that frequent this place knew about it: Bill Hobbs, Zack Hilton and me. (It is noteworthy that we are all from this region.)

"I forwarded him the VSC Products page and he was mesmerized"

Well thanks, Steve!

"My boss, when he saw the NA Equipment Pack said, 'Get thee behind me! The last thing I need is another addicting hobby!' "

Cheap. Point out how CHEAP this hobby is.

"And remember those three Ma & Pa cars in our rail yard just waiting to be digitally transferred to the ON!"

Oh yeah... 'bout those cars....

Steve: Yeah tell your Boss how fine this hobby is!
All: Enjoy the pics of my Ttrain No4-act

Can`t get enough of it

...it takes more than 3 hours to run it from Seligman to Berryville,
but what is train-running without switching, running and passenger biz?

You`re right: It would be boring!

I don´t want to imagine how long it would take us to take a mixed to Harrison?
5 hours? 6??? I don`t know!

But: It would be fun!

Andre: IF you should decide one day that your thougths should become reality and you want to double the StL&NA why not in the early 1900s-era? Means just the part behind Urbanette would be new to build...
...and Johns magnificant rollingstock could be reused to run it?
Well just an idea

Enjoy the pics,
... and steamin`the Ozarks!

Christian

Andre,

That picture is the Gross Trestle located near the town of Sharon in Harford County, Maryland on the southern end of the Ma&Pa that was abandoned in 1958. The portion of the line that had the larges population center had the least amount of traffic and so it starved to death way before it's time.

Here is one even older than the shot Christian included:


Paul

Funny you should mention that, I just ran "Let it Snow 2" that way last night, cutting in the Freeman tonnage between the engines due to the trestles from there to Tunnel. In fact, I topped the grade in the Tunnel tunnel at Midnight. I chose to ring in the new year on the St.L&NA!

That was another narrow gauge operating trick to run multiple 2-8-2s over bridges built for 2-8-0s and 4-6-0s. Otto would be proud.

'Cept to his nerves!

Paul:

Thanks for the additional insight!

Christian commented and asked:

> I don´t want to imagine how long it would take us to take a mixed to Harrison?
> 5 hours? 6??? I don`t know!

Non-stop running time alone would be about 2 1/2 hours.

> IF you should decide one day that your thougths should become reality
> and you want to double the StL&NA why not in the early 1900s-era?
> Means just the part behind Urbanette would be new to build...
> ...and Johns magnificant rollingstock could be reused to run it?
> Well just an idea

And a good one. One that I've considered.

HOWEVER, I came to the conclusion that I like the idea of three totally different products built upon the North Arkansas:

* The StLNA as being constructed: Circa 1902.
* The A&O Sub "what if" modernized to 1988.
* The M&A during 1944.

No two would be alike. The equipment is different, the enviornment is different, the track is different... there would be a very different experience in each route. I like that idea. Agreed, it means more work for me (making the changes/creating new content/etc), Jon and Bill, but better value for VSC's customers.

Speaking of Urbanette and other existing towns: No, the towns as seen in either the current StLNA or the A&O will again be modified. Immediate reasons:

* The overall length of the route (meaning more towns w/some switching as well as longer mainline run) would mean that I wouldn't be as hard pressed to create interest by "embellishing" existing towns.

* I would hope to find track charts and therefore model as many of the towns as accurately as reasonable, keeping in mind that the finished product must have good play value, even if I have to break down and "create it" via embellishment.

Did any of that make sense???

Guess what I'm saying is that if I do an M&A version, I would hope it could be more "sincere" historically... IF there is enough play value as is. Deep down inside, though, I suspect I will have to insure said play value with some anachronisms and addendums.

Also, bear in mind that I have another early era steam road headed your way soon. (With 1-2 more possible.) By the time I get the Ozark Northern to market, and the Rock Island diesel route following, it will be time for change yet again, perhaps? I've never done anything in the early 40's... so time for a new challenge? We shall see!

Herb:

> I chose to ring in the new year on the St.L&NA!

Good man, good man.

Hi Andre!

Great Idea: Three versions!
But for the beginning it would be enough doubeling the StL&NA ala 1901
Means less work for you for the 1st part
...just a bit landscape-improvements like your wonderful Ozark Northern rivers,
just some horses and stage-wagons and wagon-roads....

Yeah I think this would be enough work if you`re really planning one day doubeling the line

And we mustn`t forget: As the Ozark Northern and the Rock Island-branch are the first ones it would take a lil bit to wait for us

Lets enjoy the Ozarks and and lets look what VSC in 2006 will create for us!

Christian

When I first purchased my motorcar, Fairmont MT19-A three years ago it was in many pieces. Reckon you could call it a basket case. Anyway I was taking parts of it to work with me to clean them up during my lunch break. No one really cared or even raised an eyebrow when I was working on the engine...an Onan CCKB (also used for welders, lawn tractors, and RV generators). But when I brought the transmission case in to clean it up in a parts washer...that got a couple of eyebrows up. The responses I got when I (A) explained what the part was and what it went in and ( how the car is was used for ROW work and now as a "toy" were rather funny. My boss asked me where I found the car. I told him where and even showed him a website (www.narcoa.org) that had pictures of other cars for sale. Even has a photos of trips made with these cars. One of my former co-workers asked why I had a strange hobby. I replied I preferred unique hobby...didn't want to get into one of those "normal" hobbies like motorcycles, fishing or racing.