Link's Color photo

[NW Mailing List]

To add a bit more detail to my previous opinion - The data base for Link's photos indicates that NW32K, NW2134 and NW2135 were all taken at or near Bonsack near Bridge 90.  Track charts indicate that the track at Boaz looking east is straight for almost a mile before making a gradual curve to the left.  Bridge 95 is located east of Boaz (est MP N-253.8), not Bridge 90, and the track is straight to MP N-253.3.

However, just west of the start of the middle passing track at MP N-252.5, the track is straight until Bridge 90, then curves to the right, as can be seen in Link's B&W test photos that were taken in daylight.  Designating the location as Bonsack isn't exactly correct either because it's actually about a mile west of that station.

That's the best I can do with the info I have.  It seems clear that it's not Boaz and is likely near Bonsack because of the track configuration in NW2134 and 2135 just east of the photo location.

Dave Stephenson

--- On Wed, 9/1/10, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:


> From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> Subject: Re: Link's Color photo

> To: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 4:37 PM

> 

> 

> Info from Link's notes is hard to contest.  But was

> there a shanty at 

> Bonsack?  I have never seen photographic evidence of

> that.

> 

> There was a shanty at Blue Ridge, approx. 8 and 5 miles

> east of Boaz.and 

> Bonsack, respectively.

> 

> Ferrell (Norfolk and Western, Steam's Last Stand, 2007),

> with the most 

> complete printed photo coverage of Boaz-to-Blue Ridge I

> have seen, 

> reveals the Boaz shanty (pp. 113 ff, [1958]) with what

> appears to be 

> tarpaper roofing, whereas the "Highball" photo (1959) shows

> a roof with 

> seven ridges.  To add to the mystery,  Warden

> shots (N&W: A and J, 1987, 

> pp. 57,59, [1954]) show the Blue Ridge shanty with 4

> ridges.

> 

> The roofing discrepancies may derive from repairs over the

> years.

> 

> The Blue Ridge shanty was not "hard by" the EB main, as in

> "Highball" 

> case,  but on a siding to the south of and parallel to

> the EB main.

> 

> Some years ago I read a detailed account of the "Highball"

> story, as 

> told by Link's assistant (George Thom?).  Alas, he

> made no reference to 

> the site, but did describe the approach of the train. 

> He told of the 

> labored pull over some miles, sound emanating from way back

> all the way 

> up to the shanty, over a time period way exceeding what I

> would judge to 

> be involved in the Boaz-to-Bonsack stretch, approx 3

> miles.  As I read 

> the account, I kept saying to myself, Blue Ridge!  If

> anyone can 

> reference the account, do post the detail.

> 

> So I am still intrigued.  Any comment on the above?

> 

> Frank Gibson

> 

> 

> On 9/1/2010 11:09 AM, NW Mailing List wrote:

> > Highball for the Doubleheader (NW32K) was taken at

> Bonsack, not Boaz.  In daylight test photos (NW2134 and

> NW2135), a curve to the right and Bridge 90 can be seen in

> the background.  Info from Link's notes.

> >

> > Dave Stephenson

> >