Engineer Matt Jones.
Running along the access road into Blue Heron.
A look back at our train.
Running along the road.
Curving with rock strata ahead.
Closing in on the grade crossing with that road.
The bridge across Roaing Paunch Creek.
Our crossing of the creek.
The train at the switchback.
Rolling through the switchback. We stopped and the switch was thrown behind us for our later return to Stearns.
We were once again on new mileage.
Another downpour of rain had the drops bouncing off the roof of the coaches.
Each curve presented me with new views.
It was still raining hard!
We passed this siding.
Pieces of rail.
A curve provided a look back at our train.
Views ahead of our train.
Another milepost sign.
Looking to where we had just travelled.
Entering the remains of Worley Coal Town.
We were still rolling down the extension.
Approaching the end of our run down the extension.
We had reached the turnback point and our locomotive would now push the train back to Stearns.
The Big South Fork could be seen through the trees.
Interesting rock strata.
S-2 105 was pushing the train back up the track.
We passed the siding again on our way to the switchback with 105 still pushing the train up the grade.
Arriving at the switchback.
Our locomotive was working hard.
Beautiful views looking back down the grade.
The school house at the Barthell coal town.
The front coupler of the locomotive.
Passing through Barthell.
The Barthell Coal Company Town sign.
We went through a fantastic rock cut.
Leaning into a curve.
This trip is known as the "Route of the Painted Rocks".
Entering the tunnel.
Exiting the tunnel.
Back through the trees.
Chris Parker was videotaping this unique railroad.
Passing through the rock cut.
Through the trees and up the grade we rolled onward.
More interesting rocks in this cut.
Looking ahead at our train.
Gazing down the hood of S-2 105.
The Big South Fork Scenic shop building.
Passing the log pond again.
Curving back into Stearns.
Stearns came into view.
We came out from under the highway bridge.
We have reached the platform and the end of our trip on the Big South Fork Scenic Railroad.
One last picture of this fantastic train!
Following that great trip, Chris Parker and I went to the Huddle House for dinner and I had my all-time worst steak. Chris went back out to try for more trains while I worked on my stories but it was pouring and he returned without finding any trains. We called it a night after that.
