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5/6/2024
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Viewing Album:  A&M Birthday Trip
 
By:Tom Beckett
Dates:5/6/2023 - 5/6/2023
Album Info:My 64th birthday was May 3, so my wife set up a ride on the A&M, doing the lunch turn out of Van Buren that following Saturday. We rode on car 107 "Explorer." an ex Long Island RR P 72 converted to a parlor car, and modified to have a rear platform. It was a fun trip through the greening up Ozarks over a line that is largely hidden from view due to its remoteness. Thank you honey!!
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Street side
Title:  Street side
Description:  The former Frisco station at Van Buren, now a hub for the Arkansas & Missouri, seen from the street.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:32:04 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  42   Comments: 0
Anticipation
Title:  Anticipation
Description:  The assembled folks at the station mill about in anticipation of the trains imminent arrival-the headlight is visible in the distance.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:26:02 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420)
Views:  67   Comments: 1
Now arriving
Title:  Now arriving
Description:  The train we took on our lunch trip originated in Springale at 0800, with a train full of people coming down to Van Buren to spend the mid day at the many antique shops and restaurants. The lunch trip from Van Buren to Winslow is a way to increase equipment utilization and revenue-and its a fun ride!!
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:53:13 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  46   Comments: 1
At the station
Title:  At the station
Description:  The arriving train passes the Van Buren station, pulling down so all the cars will platform.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:56:38 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  57   Comments: 1
Birthday couple
Title:  Birthday couple
Description:  Diane and I pose for a selfie-with an SLR, no less, good catch-as the train shoves back to the siding to change ends for the trip north. Great birthday present, hon!!
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:00:15 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420)
Views:  54   Comments: 2
Explorer
Title:  Explorer
Description:  A&M car 107, formerly LIRR 2927, is at the rear of the southbound train from Springdale. It will detrain and load wheelchair and other passengers for whom climbing steps to the car is inadvisable.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 4:57:10 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  53   Comments: 1
Wheel chair lift
Title:  Wheel chair lift
Description:  One of the accommodations to the ADA, and good public facing policy, is a lift to get mobility challenged persons on and off the train. Given that a good number of riders are on in years, and need help getting on and off, this is a great idea. The crew gets set to take on riders.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:01:00 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  51   Comments: 1
Down the side
Title:  Down the side
Description:  We got on the wheelchair lift to board, giving us this unusual angle looking down the train side.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:38:27 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  32   Comments: 1
Runaround
Title:  Runaround
Description:  The train arriving from Springdale, after discharging passengers for Van Buren, backs up to the passing track, where the power will cut off and run around to the north end of the train. Its about to pull away to change ends.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:18:40 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  49   Comments: 1
coming offthe siding
Title:  coming offthe siding
Description:  The power that brought the train in from Springdale rolls off the siding, about to couple to the north end of the train.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:49:22 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  48   Comments: 1
Cleared the siding
Title:  Cleared the siding
Description:  The power has now cleared the siding, and is starting to back down onto the train.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:03:11 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  41   Comments: 1
Three to a hitch
Title:  Three to a hitch
Description:  The power backs down to the train after running around
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:08:01 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  41   Comments: 1
Two cars....
Title:  Two cars....
Description:  A little closer to the hitch
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:10:25 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  37   Comments: 1
One car
Title:  One car
Description:  Almost there
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:13:13 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  40   Comments: 1
Half a car...
Title:  Half a car...
Description:  The power gently eases up to the train. They did a good hitch, didnt spill any drinks in the car. Must have been ex NYC guys. Pennsy guys would have knocked over the glasses.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:18:32 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420)
Views:  42   Comments: 1
Thatll do!
Title:  Thatll do!
Description:  A&M 44 couples to parlor 107, not the first time an Alco C 420 has coupled to this car, which started life as Long Island RR 2927.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:24:24 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420)
Views:  40   Comments: 1
Making the joint
Title:  Making the joint
Description:  The brakeman connects the air line from the engine to the train. Back in the day, this might have involved steam lines as well, though not on this car, which was always electric heat. The cars on the other end are ex Jersey Central, and steam lines were definitely part of their past.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:27:38 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420)
Views:  41   Comments: 1
Smile!!
Title:  Smile!!
Description:  The close up look at the face of a C420, seen from just inside the rear door of A&M 107
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:31:46 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420)
Views:  49   Comments: 2
Inside view
Title:  Inside view
Description:  Looking toward the middle of the car, where the bar is located. The A&M folks are setting up to sell souvenirs of the trip.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:30:13 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  29   Comments: 1
Tickets please!!
Title:  Tickets please!!
Description:  The conductor makes his rounds on the Explorer
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 4:46:19 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  40   Comments: 1
Looking to the rear
Title:  Looking to the rear
Description:  From the same vantage point as in the previous photo, looking toward the rear of A&M 107, to the rear platform, just beyond the doors.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:33:25 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  26   Comments: 1
Happy couple
Title:  Happy couple
Description:  Diane and me at the table in A&M 107, "Explorer." I take a goofy selfie.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:35:41 AM
Location:  Van Buren, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  30   Comments: 1
Pulling away
Title:  Pulling away
Description:  A&M 44 has cut the train loose, and is pulling away to the switch so it can run around the train for the trip back south.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:35:25 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420)
Views:  54   Comments: 1
Backing away
Title:  Backing away
Description:  The power backs away toward the siding switch as he begins his runaround move.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:39:49 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420)
Views:  46   Comments: 2
Coming by
Title:  Coming by
Description:  The power is into the run around move, passing our waiting train.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 5:43:33 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  AM 44(C420) AM 68(C420)
Views:  57   Comments: 2
Into the darkness
Title:  Into the darkness
Description:  The mid day train turns at Winslow, which is just outside the tunnel there. As soon as the train departs for Van Buren, its into the dark. Seen from the rear platform of the Explorer
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:34:29 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Tunnel,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  39   Comments: 1
Daylight
Title:  Daylight
Description:  Weve just left the tunnel, and are now headed away toward Van Buren
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:42:48 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Tunnel,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  34   Comments: 1
Big mouth
Title:  Big mouth
Description:  The mouth of the south end of the Winslow tunnel in a wider view.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:54:46 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Tunnel,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  46   Comments: 1
Rock cut
Title:  Rock cut
Description:  The terrain the A&M traverses is quite rugged in places, such as here on the approach to Trestle 1 south of Winslow.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:06:55 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  37   Comments: 1
Trestle 1
Title:  Trestle 1
Description:  A&M has three large bridges between Fayetteville and Van Buren, all of them back in the woods and virtually inaccessible from anywhere but the railroad. Even if you could get to them, the trees are so grown up you could not see them anyway. The view from up top is pretty basic, steel structure with track on top.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:14:44 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  54   Comments: 1
Off the bridge
Title:  Off the bridge
Description:  We leave Trestle 1 behind as we take a left hand curve coming off the structure.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:17:21 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  44   Comments: 1
Trestle 2
Title:  Trestle 2
Description:  Straight as an arrow, rolling out behind us
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:20:36 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  39   Comments: 1
Down the hill, onto the bridge
Title:  Down the hill, onto the bridge
Description:  We have rolled onto Trestle 3, through a rock cut that is typical of the line through the Boston Mountains. The mileage is from St Louis, reflecting the line's origins as the St Louis-San Francisco RR
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:21:59 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  42   Comments: 1
Pulling away
Title:  Pulling away
Description:  We move off Trestle 3 and back into the woods
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 6/1/2023 5:23:20 AM
Location:  Winslow, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  38   Comments: 1
After the ride
Title:  After the ride
Description:  After we got off at Van Buren, we wanted to go back to one of the spots we saw from the train. In this case, it was a crossing of Frog Bayou a the town site of Lancaster.
Photo Date:  5/6/2023  Upload Date: 5/28/2023 6:25:15 AM
Location:  Lancaster, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  AM 68(C420) AM 44(C420)
Views:  79   Comments: 3

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