PTHS
Passenger Train Historical Society
A non-profit organization of passenger train enhusiasts devoted to the presentation and exhibition of Passenger Train History, especially that of Amtrak.
August 7 - 10, 2008
 (L to R)
Dave Mangold, Larry Leibundguth, Ray Burns, and Steve Grande.
|
 Downtown Elmer, Missouri |
 With no
trains in sight, I checked out the local auto customizer's shop in
town, with a Merc in the drive and a Ford on the wall.
|
 1956 Chevy
210 4-door had been made into a pickup.
|
 BNSF track
inspection took out one track for a while.
|
 A John
Deere spray unit heads to work through Elmer.
|
Amtrak
Southwest Chief #4 came flashing through Elmer.
|
 The best
looking Amtrak car, the Sightseer, passed mid-consit.
|
 #4 heads on
east past a covered ethanol by-product train.
|
 The covered product train moves westward. |
 |
 |
 Larry at Trackside. |
 With DPU,
you have a second chance for a power photo. Except for the window
shade being down (above the engine number 7656) you might be able to
sell this as head-end power with the headlights on. Passenger
locomotives use their alternative red lights when running in push mode.
|
 Returning
to La Plata for the 11 a.m. BBQ, we saw an unusual sight: A log
house trailer?
|
 At the
grade crossing near the ghost town of Cardy, we found BNSF #7626, an
auto train, stable, with the engineer across the second track on the
cell phone.
|
 Old School - New School. |
 #7626
quickly moved out westward with its load of automobiles, suvs, and
pickups. Dave Mangold at trackside.
|
 I like the
Signal Tower at Cardy. It's nice for framing locomotives.
|
 This picture could have been a century ago. |
 An Amish
buggy on Hwy. 156, heading toward LaPlata. As you can see, this
county has not provided a flat berm for buggy travel, so faster drivers
in these rolling hills must be careful not to run into one. 'Slow
Vehicle' signs and red reflecters are required for buggies.
|
 Summertime
is not a bad time to ride in a two-wheeled cart, but single Amish men
must ride in open vehicles year round.
Amish 101 is a good place to learn the ways of the Amish, though this Order may do some things differently. |
 Bob Cox,
Show-n-Off Photography & DJ Services, awaits lunch after working at
the LaPlata Depot waiting for the 4-hr. late #4 SWC.
|
 Amy Cox,
The other half of Show-n-Off Photography, prepares BBQ lunch at the
Depot Inn.
|
 Karri Cox finds lunch Finger-Lickin'-Good. |
 Jason Haxton
provided a fresh homemade blackberry cobbler. He's on the
American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation (APRHF)
|
 Shelli Tucker |
 The kids enjoy
the play equipment at the Depot Inn & Suites
|
 Dave Mangold and Narciso Lopez |
 After the
picnic, we headed southwest of La Plata to Thomas Hill Line (Bevier
&
Southern RR). Dave Mangold was involved with the construction of
this coal line to the power plant.
|
 Reader of car code bars. |
 |
 An overpass
"wide enough for a combine" Dave says.
|
 Bevier, MO, water tower. |
 Small Town Patriotism |
 |
 |
 A carnival in town for their annual Homecoming. |
 |
 Even though
the concert wasn't for another 4 hours, folks had placed their chairs
to reserve a seat in all available spots.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 The PTHS
Group had a chance for a closer look at the Bevier & Southern's
#112 in town before the 5 pm dinner at the Pear Tree.
|
 Jim Dillon,
Bucklin, MO, was kind enough to pose beside his restored 1952 Crosley.
|
 Bill
explained that it had a 10 horsepower engine, 44 cubic inch
displacement. It gets 33 mpg.
|
 Shelly and
Tom Marshall, Owners of the Depot Inn & Suites
|
 Narciso Lopez, and Shelli Tucker |
 Bob and Amy Cox, Show-n-Off Photography |
 Jackie and Zel Eaton American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation Board Membe |
 Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ivy, City Manager Happy Birthday, Ray! |
Maria and Ray Burns, President of TrainWeb.com |
 Barbara and Steve, TrainWeb.com founders. |
 Larry Leibundguth and Dave Mangold |
