Thursday, October 28, 2010

Last day photos
















Last day photos

Springdale last day

The last day in Springdale is one we will always remember. Micki & Kahuna joined in for the festivities. The TLC channel provides a weekly show called Nineteen and Counting. It features the Dugger family in their own reality family program. All three of us fell in love with the Dugger children. They reminded me of a modern day version of the "Waltons." Well mannered, considerate and very articulate. All the children are home schooled which allows the family to travel and include the adventures in their program. Six years ago several TV specials were done on the family which resulted in the current series which has been running for the past couple of years. The film crew told me it may be six or eight weeks before today's version gets edited and run for TV play time. It looked like the film crew was equally in love with the family and has become a part of their extended family.

As I visited the other train cars I was pleasantly surprised by a lady who said she had ridden on my Santa Fe train ride in May. That is the second time during our tour this year that previous passengers have been on hand to welcome us to their home States. The reunion photo is posted above.

I finally got a chance to inspect A&M caboose today. WOW! Leather captain chairs and hardwood floors make this a luxury coach. Air conditioning and a new heating system are soon to be added. This will probably be one of the finest cabooses in the country. Brenda at A&M said they get as many request for caboose rides as they do for 1st class.

We hit the road at 2:30 p.m. and will try to make it back home by tomorrow evening, which will end this years tour.

This month has been one of the best loops yet. We made many new friends and got to visit with old one along the way.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Springdale photos







Springdale, Arkansas #2

The Arkansas & Missouri knows how to get the most bang for the bucks when it comes to equipment use. Their train leaves Springdale loaded with three passenger cars and makes a run to Van Buren, AR about 8o miles. Passengers get off for lunch and shopping (about 2 hours). New passengers board for a trip to Winslow, AR (about 40 miles) and back to Van Buren where they get off and the train then reboards the original passengers for a return trip to Springdale. I love the concept of maximum equipment utilization. Brenda their operations manager is also considering Red Candy Caboose storytelling on a static (non-rolling) car to further utilize their cars.

My job of visiting depots and museums finds fun in many places. Today it was highlighted by five beautiful ladies that get together once a year to enjoy each others company and explore something new. Their photo is posted above. Their smiles and laughter made my day.

Thanks to conductor's Larry and David for letting me shadow them for the day. Their expertise and knowledge of local history were as important as the train ride itself.

I don't want to forget to mention the train equipment; everything was in perfect working order and so clean you might think you were riding on museum pieces.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Springdale, AR

I'll write more about Springdale tomorrow along with photos. We arrived shortly before they closed and had every intention of dropping off books and heading for Oklahoma. Brenda Rouse the Operations Manager for the Arkansas & Missouri RR convinced me to stay for a couple of days. Tomorrow I ride the train as a guest conductor and Thursday they have a reality show (19 and Counting) being filmed and they asked that I go along as part of the entertainment. A&M RR carries passengers as well as freight and makes runs of different lengths on different days. Sounds like fun, plus Micki and Kahuna are invited to participate.

Eureka Springs photos