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The first view of the Big South Fork Scenic Railroad taken off the highway bridge in Stearns.
Another view with the Norfolk Southern interchange in this picture.
Alco S-1 105 on the point of our train today.
The train with Stearns in the background. Chris Parker and I then drove over to the parking area with me going inside to meet Becky who would be our host for today's train ride on the Big South Fork Scenic Railroad. We picked up our tickets before we got better aquinted.
A ground view of S-1 105 with the Stearns Water Tower in the background.
While we waited to board, another Norfolk Southern southbound freight passed through Stearns. The train consisted of Big Fork and Scenic S-1 105, Open Covered Air Cars 1003, 1001 and 1004 along with enclosed car 1005.
I took a seat in Coach 1003 in order to be closer to the sound of that Alco S-1 engine. I fell in love with the sounds of Alco engines on the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific when I was growing up.This trip would be a thrill and a chance to relive memories of a time I thought was lost. First a Safety Announcement was made then with the sound of the S-1 105 steam whistle the train departed Stearns at 2:35 PM.
We first curved unnderneath the highway bridge that I had taken the first pictures on.
A look down the interchange track with the Norfolk Southern Railroad.
The old Log Pond.
The Big South Fork Scenic Railroad Shops.
The train soon headed into the forest.
A left hand curve.
A right hand curve.
The S-1 105 took another curve.
Then it came to a piece of straight track.
Our train is about to enter the Tunnel.
A shape turn as we exited the tunnel.
Down below was Pounch Creek.
Pounch Creek.
Our train next passed through a few rock cuts.
Pounch Creek below our train tracks.
Another view of Pounch Creek.
We next reached the Barthell coal Company recreated town site.
A small steam locomotive on display.
Barthell Company Store Number 2.
Curve at MP 4.
Entering the Big South Fork National Recreation Area.
Pounch Creek.
Approaching the switchback.
The track that will take us the Blue Heron. Once the swich was thrown, the engine started to push our train to Blue Heron our layover location this afternoon.
Crossing Pounch Creek now headed towards Blue Heron.
Pounch Creek.
Our train arriving into the old coal mining community of Blue Heron. The Park Ranger made his speach about the history of Blue Heron and what to see. Plus the return time was given so everyone would know when to be back on the train.
The large coal tripple that has a walkway across the valley above it was my goal while I was in Blue Heron. I started up a pave trail that lead me to several excellent exhibits.
Mine 30 is the coldest location on this very hot and hunid day.
A mine fan blade.
The walkway above the coal tripple.
Looking down into the coal tripple.
The view of the Blue Heron Complex and our train below.
Southern Railway Hoppers help make this display look more real.
Big South Fork of the Cumberland River.
A mine cart on the walkway on display.
More views of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River.
A nice family out on the walkway.
Back at ground level the coal tripple.
More views of the coal tripple.
Southern Railway car postioned to be loaded at the coal tripple.
A model of the Blue Heron Coal Tripple and yard as I walked over for my next pictures I heard thunder just before the sky let loose with a downpour of hard rain.
Views of Big South Fork Scenic S-1 105.
The train at Blue Heron.
Becky and Chris before we all rode in the cab of the S-1 105 for the trip back to Stearns via the K&T mainline extension project.
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