Sweetwater, TN

Posted on March 1, 2022 by rockontrains

Featured Southern Railway depots on the blog this month are those in Kentucky, North Carolina & Tennessee:

: Sou Rwy Depot – Athens, TN – 1978 (Credit: Tom Rock)

: Sou Rwy Depot – Bryson City, NC – 1978 (Credit: Tom Rock)

: Sou Rwy Depot – Charleston, TN – 1978 (Credit: Tom Rock)

: Sou Rwy Depot – Danville, KY – 1980 (Credit: Tom Rock)

: Sou Rwy Depot – Lexington, KY – 1980 (Credit: Tom Rock)

: Sou Rwy Depot – Niota, TN – 1978 (Credit: Tom Rock)

: Sou Rwy Depot – Oliver Springs, TN – 1980 (Credit: Tom Rock)

: Sou Rwy Depot – Sweetwater, TN – 1981 (Credit: Tom Rock)

All photos courtesy of Tom Rock.

Rock on Trains © 2022, Tom Rock + T.D.R. Productions. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Tom Rock is strictly prohibited.

Looking Back: “Pride of the Central”

Posted on February 28, 2022 by rockontrains

This blog entry offers a behind-the-scenes look at my 1989 painting of a New York Central Hudson locomotive, “Pride of the Central.” The scene I chose to paint shows J3a “Super Hudson” No. 5405 exiting the twin tunnel bore on the 4 track mainline at Oscawanna, New York, at a full gallop. This thoroughbred’s main claim to fame was its speed, having pulled the 20th Century Limited between Chicago and New York City in 16 hours.

My childhood memories at Detroit’s Michigan Central Terminal inspired me to paint this beautiful locomotive. My mother worked here in the engineers’ payroll department for the Michigan Central; on occasion, my father would take me down to visit her. It was here that I got my first close look at these coal breathing giants. The vivid memory still exists to this day. It is really hard to believe that not one of these magnificent machines were ever saved, but their legacy will live on forever.

Pride of the Central at 12 hrs of development

“Pride of the Central” at 12 hrs Development

Pride of the Central at 45 hrs of development

“Pride of the Central” at 45 hrs Development

Pride of the Central at 162 hrs of development

“Pride of the Central at 162 hrs development

Pride of the Central at 300 hrs of development

“Pride of the Central” at 300 hrs Development

Pride of the Central Complete - 370 hrs of development

“Pride of the Central” Complete at 370 hrs Development

History of the New York Central Hudson Locomotive

Out of a veil of steam and coal dust, “Pride of the Central”, J3a, Extra 5405 West storms out of the twin tunnel bore at Oscawanna, New York in September 1937. Take this opportunity to own a print of Tom Rock’s classic railroad painting.

Pricing:

Limited Edition Prints (750) – $50.00
Signed Only – $25.00
Limited Edition Proofs (50) – $70.00
11″x14″ Decorator Print – $15.00
8″x10″ Decorator Print – $10.00
5″x7″ Decorator Print – $5.00

Shipping to be determined with order. To purchase a print, please email tdrprod@aol.com.

Rock on Trains © 2022, Tom Rock + T.D.R. Productions. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Tom Rock is strictly prohibited.