The Abandoned Mine

Even during daylight hours, the old abandoned Never Mine can still be a little spooky. When a storm blows up from the desert and the wind whispers and moans through the old boards, sinister cries can sometimes be heard echoing deep within the mine. Recently, the creaky door to the shaft house has been swinging open and then suddenly slamming shut. Railroad security thinks there might be a vagrant living up there and wants to send a man up to investigate. Any volunteers?

Trouble Brewing at Hanging Rock

A mysterious stranger has come to town on a pale horse. He's inside Olson & Furlow's place with a glass of whiskey and a well used army revolver. On the cliffs above, the notorious Pequeño Brothers lay in wait. Those dark clouds must be an omen. Old scores will soon to be settled with lead and black powder and a few more bullet holes will adorn the adobe walls at Hanging Rock.

Cloudy sky added in Photoshop, all else as modeled.

Sunset

Work often continues until after sunset at the busy mines of Big Thunder Camp. Old Jim takes a moment to admire the view as supplies are being hoisted up from Saguaro Siding below.

Backdrop and smoke added in Photoshop, all else as modeled.

Steaming into Thunder Mesa

The Daily Mixed blasts across Big Thunder Creek behind engine #4, Earl Vilmer. The crew's on time for a change and looking forward to a hot lunch up at Cordelia's Cafe before the return trip to San Lorenzo.

Backdrop and smoke effects added in Photoshop, all else as modeled.

Caboose Hop in Dinosaur Gap

The Daily Mixed steams back toward Thunder Mesa with drover's caboose #90 in tow after dropping a tank car and some stock at the interchange in San Lorenzo. It seems like the mines around San Lorenzo have been shipping less and less ore these days. In fact, if it weren't for the local ranches and the mail contract, the Daily Mixed to San Lorenzo might as well be the weekly mixed.

Afternoon Shadows

The Navajo people call this country the Land of the Long Shadows. It's easy to see why. Come afternoon, the lowering sun sends canyon walls and towering spires into sharp relief. Shadows from the canyon fall across the face of Baxter's Butte and the abandoned diggings of the Never Mine. Lazy clouds drift by and crickets sing in the canyon bottoms even as the upper cliffs are still bathed in the warm light of day. This is the time when the last train from San Lorenzo will return, shifting cars at the mill siding as the long shadows fade into night.

Background added in Adobe Photoshop. All else as modeled.

Canyon View

Passengers aboard Combine 101 are always treated to breathtaking canyon views when the daily mixed rounds the tight curve at McKennon Arch. It almost makes up for the train usually running late. 

Backdrop added with Adobe Photoshop. All else as modeled.

Nature's Wonderland Route

From the very beginning, TMMC management and investors saw potential for additional revenues that could be generated by offering tourist excursions on the line. The route to the Big Thunder and Calico Mines was indeed spectacular, being filled with curiosities and scenic wonders that defied description and challenged the imaginations of eastern city dwellers. Elias Homage, the companies founder and first president is credited with coining the term "Nature's Wonderland" to describe the area. In addition to being a clever businessman and promoter, Homage was something of an amateur naturalist in his spare time and made a hobby of cataloging the wonders along the line with an eye towards preservation. It wasn't long before colorful posters like the one above began to appear along main streets and depot platforms, extolling the amazing sites to be seen in Thunder Mesa country. With connections to the midwest via the Santa Fe Denver & Carolwood RR, curious travelers soon began to make their way west to see the marvelous canyon-lands for themselves. In later years, as mining revenue began to decline, excursion traffic became even more important to the continued survival of the narrow gauge line.

Illustration created in Adobe Photoshop with photos from the Lone Rock diorama.

The Rainbow Desert

Headed back to the mines, a load of empty ore cars passes below McKennon Arch as twilight comes to the desert.  A raven croaks atop his favorite saguaro while a sleepy diamondback rattlesnake soaks up the last of the day's warmth held in the rocks. Though intent on his business, the gruff old engineer steals a moment to take in the view from the open cab of engine #6. With a contented sigh, he understands why some folks call this piece of country the Rainbow Desert.

Backdrop and atmospheric effects added in Adobe Photoshop. All else as modeled.

Down by the Station

It's just past noon down at Thunder Mesa Depot on a hot, dry summer's day. Once the engineer of #6 finishes swapping boxcars at the SFD&C interchange track, the crew can break for lunch over at Cordelia's Cafe. Problem is, things are running a tad behind schedule so Cordelia's famous fried chicken and berry pies will just have to wait. 

Backdrop and smoke effects added in Adobe Photoshop, all else as modeled.

It's a little cold here today for Arizona so guess I'm daydreaming about summer!

Day's End at Big Thunder Falls

The last rays of a setting sun illuminate Big Thunder Falls as engine #1, the Marc F. Davis hauls a load of supplies to the mines above. Meanwhile, a pair of Ute braves are working their way down the old Indian trail to the sacred pools below. Backdrop and atmospheric effects added in Adobe Photoshop, all else as modeled.

Today's photo is the first of a new feature on the blog, a simple "one shot" post featuring a brief story and scenic photography. Hopefully this will grow into a semi-regular feature, posting early to mid-week, with the longer how-to's and progress reports still showing up on Fridays or Saturdays. I have a lot of fun composing these shots and photo-illustrations and I hope you all enjoy them too.

Photo Special

I've been busy with too many real-world projects to get much done on the railroad this week, so today's post is a collection of past scenic shots, revisiting a day in the life of Thunder Mesa.

It's just before dawn at Thunder Mesa depot and the station master is already at work writing up train orders for the day's crews.

Work is underway at Saguaro Siding as well where a crate of machine parts is being hoisted up for delivery to mines along the Calico High-line. Engine #4 passes in the foreground with the daily mail in tow.

The first rays of morning sun hit Baxter's Butte as the Earl Vilmer steams through McKennon Arch.

From high on Baxter's Butte, a resident big horn sheep observes the action below.

A little later, the Marc F. Davis chuffs through Dinosaur Gap with a load of ore bound for Thunder Mesa mill.

Engine #1 is an eccentric teakettle to say the least.

Dinosaur Gap turns out to be an excellent rail-fanning spot as we later spot the Ollie Johnston pulling a short mixed train with SFD&C Combine 101 bringing up the tail.

Things slow down around noon as the heat of the day sends desert critters and people alike scurrying for shade. It's pretty quiet here in the Cactus Forest, save for a pair of wrens busy with nest building and a hungry coyote looking for a chance meal.

The circle of life goes on in the Living Desert. 

The quiet break doesn't last too long however, and soon we see Estrella & Sonora Grande #1 heading through the Gap. The E&SG has a gentleman's agreement with the TMMC and sometimes runs equipment here.

Back in Thunder Mesa, there's lots of action at Big Thunder Creek as the Ollie Johnston backs into the mill siding with a string of side dump ore cars. Up above, the Marc F. Davis works the mines.

Working the mill is a thirsty job and the #6 stops to top off at Thunder Mesa tank.

Late in the afternoon we catch another glimpse of Combine 101 heading back into Rainbow Caverns as a lonesome cougar looks on.

The last rays of the sun bathe McKennon Arch as another day comes to a close. Engine #5, the Frank Thomas, pulls a freight bound for  San Lorenzo.

Night settles in and a full moon rises above Baxter's Butte as Old Unfaithful geyser begins to erupt again.

Day's end and the station master is still at work, finishing up the day's paperwork and getting ready for tomorrow.

Thanks for coming along on today's photo journey, I hope everyone enjoyed it. There are several new projects on the workbench so check back next Friday for a new update. That's all for this time. Adios for now!