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.