Featuring the artwork of D. Tom Conboy

Rural Rails Crossing is a collection of my thoughts about the experience of painting rural and railroad scenes. Watercolor is my medium of choice, and my painting style is impressionistic. I am not trying to render a photographic image of the place, but to capture the "mood" of the location.




© 2012 T&J Creative Works (All Rights Reserved)

Friday, August 6, 2010

Vandalia RR


This watercolor was painted from a photo I had taken in Vandalia, Illinois back in March of 2008.

This line is currently operated by the Vandalia Railroad Company which is owned by Pioneer RailCorp. The tower on the left once guarded the crossing of the Illinois Central RR (Vandalia RR) and the Pennsylvania RR (CSX). This section of the old ICRR was called the “Gruber Line” and it was abandoned many years ago. The Gruber Line was once the mainline of the ICRR, but the branch to Chicago eventually became the mainline, and the Gruber Line’s importance dwindled. I believe it was abandoned back in the 1980’s. Some segments of the old Gruber Line still exist and are still in operation today, like this section in Vandalia.

The railroads of Vandalia have always fascinated me. I really wanted to do a painting of this scene, and I am pleased with the results. I hope to one day go back to Vandalia and do another painting on location.

Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. Very nice, Tom!

    Also, thanks so much for your comments on my blog and for being a follower. I sincerely appreciate your kind words, encouragement and support!

    I was out painting an old railroad station yesterday. Hope to get it finished and posted soon!

    ReplyDelete

  2. Thanks for the comment, Judy! I really do appreciate it!!!

    I look forward to seeing the painting of the old railroad station. Your work is very inspiring. It motivates me to get out the easel and start painting!!

    Thanks again,
    Tom

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)