Ozarka, Arkansas. Autumn, 1964...
KC&G GP7 #412 idles it's EMD chant beside Ozarka's engine house while the crew's shootin' the bull with the engine house Foreman: Ol' Jess.
Braggin' rights are at stake, for they're right in the midst of seeing who bagged the most squirrels on yesterday's opening day of squirrel season. Meanwhile, a KC&G ALCo (RS-3 #269) slumbers silently in the engine house for Ol' Jess to renew going over it for the mandated service inspection.
This is the calm before the storm, for it won't be long and the northbound coal train they're waiting on will hit town, which is precisely what #412's crew is waiting on. When it does, they'll tack on to the caboose, and once the highball comes from the head end, with a cacophonous uproar, the entire entourage will gather up what run they can muster, and another battle up The Mountain will begin.
Life moves at a different pace on the KC&G up in the mountains of the Arkansas Ozarks.
What you're seeing...
Just messing around and was tired of the "engines service" area just being empty tracks. SO, in about 45 minutes start to finish, I "scratchbuilt" the above sheet iron engine house. Later I came back and placed the various service items I had on hand.
The scene (the entire layout) has a long ways to go before it's anywhere near complete... but it's fun getting there.
Andre
