Essex Steam Railroad -- 25 June 2013

Ten people showed up this morning for our first ever paint-out in this a-bit-out-of-the-way venue. We were rewarded with LOTS of material, shade and a breeze to keep the heat under control, and another very pleasant outing together. Those of us who sat under the trees just plain did not feel the heat.

I had about an hour on my own before anyone else showed up -- time to get up-close to the trains, as the workers started their day, preparing the trains for the afternoon's activities. When I finally sat down to sketch, the workers told me I had about an hour before they moved the engine. So when Jeannette showed up, to check in and see what everyone else was up to, she found me deep in concentration. She was not especially interested in the trains and went off to paint at a pond nearby, but not before a few others started to trickle in -- Terry E, Kay and Kaleigh, Jay, Patty, Betsey, Cindy, and Rosemary.

The administrative people, understanding how to play to the public, very kindly have placed some most appealing train cars just where it might be convenient for folks to relax and admire them, conveniently sited so that artists are comfortable enough to stay a while. Most of us were taken with personality of and the lovely shadows on the little red caboose. Patty went with the mystery of the mechanics, and Rosemary found even more personality in the little engine that could. What fun!

--Next week I've scheduled Trolley Road, but I'm not so sure we shouldn't try to find some shade instead. Of course we could tailgate for shade... If you have suggestions, fire away!

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