RAPID CITY, PIERRE, & EASTERN WESTBOUND TRAIN #M-HURC CRUISES THROUGH WHAT REMAINS OF A RURAL TOWN - OWANKA, SOUTH DAKOTA - SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
In this "Setting Sun Sunday" view, we find ourselves in another one of the many near ghost towns that dot the high plains. The remnant of business that once existed for the railroad at Owanka, the old grain elevator, still stands with no paint on it, as do some abandoned homes. While standing around waiting for a westbound we knew was out there, we had a most interesting conversation with one of the 17 remaining residents in this place. That in itself, and the information we learned from him, was perhaps the more valuable experience than anything else from this visit.
To our surprise, one thing he mentioned was that the railroad had removed the stick rail and replaced it with ribbon rail through here, so he told us that he'll be rolling good when he shows up here. It was surprising to hear a local resident tell us what we already knew about the railroad, but how cool that he knew that along with the whole history of the area. For us, it was a good thing this location was on upgraded track. We hoped he'd get here sooner, than he did, but even so rolling on good track, the westbound slammed through here literally seconds before the sun was completely gone. The last shot of the set has the leader going into the dark. We sweated it out cutting it that close and honestly figured the shot wasn't going to work, but all is well that ends well.
RAPID CITY, PIERRE, & EASTERN WESTBOUND TRAIN #M-HURC CRUISES THROUGH WHAT REMAINS OF A RURAL TOWN - OWANKA, SOUTH DAKOTA - SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
In this "Setting Sun Sunday" view, we find ourselves in another one of the many near ghost towns that dot the high plains. The remnant of business that once existed for the railroad at Owanka, the old grain elevator, still stands with no paint on it, as do some abandoned homes. While standing around waiting for a westbound we knew was out there, we had a most interesting conversation with one of the 17 remaining residents in this place. That in itself, and the information we learned from him, was perhaps the more valuable experience than anything else from this visit.
To our surprise, one thing he mentioned was that the railroad had removed the stick rail and replaced it with ribbon rail through here, so he told us that he'll be rolling good when he shows up here. It was surprising to hear a local resident tell us what we already knew about the railroad, but how cool that he knew that along with the whole history of the area. For us, it was a good thing this location was on upgraded track. We hoped he'd get here sooner, than he did, but even so rolling on good track, the westbound slammed through here literally seconds before the sun was completely gone. The last shot of the set has the leader going into the dark. We sweated it out cutting it that close and honestly figured the shot wasn't going to work, but all is well that ends well.