Western Railroad Discussion > KCS Santa Train (De Queen, AR to Noel, MO)

KCS1 and friends were in the area this weekend. I decided to chase the train on Thursday from De Queen, AR to Noel, MO over the span of 3 days. Got down to De Queen on Thursday and chased the northbound trip from De Qeeen to Mena, AR. Symboled BMENM (Business - Meridian, MS to Noel, MO). The train left De Queen at 1330 and had train meets at De Queen and Gillham, AR. Arriving in Mena, AR around 1445. The train then made its way north to Heavener, OK after the Mena show arriving at the yard around 2130. Since the weather was crap all weekend here in OK, I decided not to shoot the train in daylight on Friday, and opted for night shots of it in Heavener. Saturday, yeilded more clouds and fog but its the F units, you have to chase them. The train departed Heavener, OK at 0750 symboled BSHKC enroute to Noel, MO. I started my day off at Gans, OK and followed the train all the way north. The Santa train met southbound trains at Gans, Marble City, Stillwell, and Siloam Springs. Arriving in Noel around 1340 hours. Once in Noel, the train did some unique switching moves making shots of the train a little more difficult to get. All in all from De Queen to Noel I got the train 27 times. Not a bad 2 day trip. Just wish there was a little sun with the train. Maybe next year.
IMG_1955 -- Just North of De Queen, AR ducking under Route 59.
IMG_1974 -- Meeting a Southbound Grain Train at Gillham, AR
IMG_1992 -- Passing the Tyson factory in Grannis, AR

More to follow

Ian

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IMG_2009 -- Passing Wickes, AR
IMG_2069 -- Passing Hatfield, AR
IMG_2334 -- Night Shot at Heavener (East Side)

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IMG_2351 -- Heavener, OK (West Side)
IMG_2418 -- Passing Gans, OK
IMG_2550 -- North of Marble City, OK

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IMG_2579 -- Passing Cave Springs, OK
IMG_2607 -- Passing Stillwell, OK
IMG_2706 -- Coming out of the siding at North Stillwell, OK

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IMG_2726 -- Just south of Barron, OK
IMG_2752 -- Passing Westville, OK
IMG_2764 -- Just south of Watts, OK

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IMG_2777 -- Passing South Watts, OK
IMG_2797 -- Passing North Watts, OK
IMG_2822 -- Passing Gentry, AR

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IMG_2848 -- Passing South Noel, MO
IMG_2897 -- Pulling on the siding to drop the Christmas Cars at Noel, MO
IMG-2921 -- Passing North Noel, MO

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If anyone was curious as to why the train ran from Heavener to Noel on Saturday it's because the were requested to be present for the towns 125th anniversary. So once the show was completed the train had to make some switching moves and then run south where it was tie up for the evening at Watts, OK.
IMG_2980 -- Night time at Noel, MO
IMG_2988 -- Night time at Noel, MO
IMG_3008 -- Night time at Noel, MO



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/12 21:28 by CSabresXr1.

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Last 3 I promise.
IMG_3031 -- KCS2 waiting to depart Noel, MO
IMG_3041 -- Tied down at Watts, OK
IMG_3046 -- KCS2

Enjoy

Ian

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Great shots! Thanks for sharing.

Now that's a class act, great pics

NICE.............great shots!

Great shots!!!! I had planned to follow the train from Ashdown,Ar up to Mena, Ar but work and then throw in an overtime day messed up those plans.

Lovely photos of a class act.

Cheers,
Jack

Great shots. Especially the night ones. Enjoyed meeting you out there as well

BNSF-6432
PQM

Good stuff! Loved the ones up top with the long train in the shot. Excellent night shots too! Thanks for sharing!

GREAT set of pics!!!! Thanks for sharing.