This is wonderful! Would have put a "Wow!" on the posting of the two pictures, but the software limits us to "Like"!
Paul, Thank you for all your investment of finances, time and hard work to help preserve these cabooses! Looking forward to having the opportunity to have a great ride these cars on Frisco trackage on the old Central Division. Should be a real treat experience. Thank you again! Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
That looks wonderful Paul! Maybe A&M will get a GP38 some day and paint it Frisco. Hey I can dream. But that caboose looks most spectacular rolling around on home rails. Ya done good!
Caboose SLSF 1291 made her debut run on the Arkansas and Missouri (A&M) Railroad on Saturday August 14, 2023. She ran 3 trips this day from Springdale to Johnson twice and the third run was Springdale to Fayetteville. The air and brake systems performed well and the ride was smooth with no bobbing side to side. I was on the caboose along with Caren Kraska the owner of the A&M, and my 13 year old son Jake. We had a lot of fun and the caboose is scheduled for more runs in October. It will move from Springdale all the way south to Van Buren. Saturday was an awesome day it was a lifelong dream come true. I have now traveled in the cupola of an original Frisco caboose and did it on original Frisco rails. By spring 2024 the caboose should be finished out and be available for riders that want to buy tickets and it is available for charter. If you go back and see page one of this thread and compare to this page it is quite a contrast!
Paul, Congratulations and many thanks for a job well done. Looking forward to cooler temperatures and the opportunity to enjoy a ride on this remarkable accomplishment. Again thank you very much! Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
The A&M Christmas train made 4 runs on 12/17/23 from Monett down to almost Exeter with a combined total of almost 600 riders. The train left Springdale, AR at 0700 and arrived at Monett just before 1000. The last run ended at 1700, and after that the train returned to Springdale and most of the return trip was at night. It was a very long but awesome day. I was so happy to get to take caboose SLSF 1291 on a long run with speeds sometimes just above 40mph.
Caboose SLSF 1291 will be running May 11 from Springdale, AR to Van Buren, AR and back with a three hour layover. If anybody wants to ride call Brenda at the Arkansas And Missouri (A&M) Railroad at (479) 871-5815.
Paul, Booked, with my wife and my parents. Looking forward to it. Incidentally Paul, I noticed on FB that you are friends with a cousin (in-law), of mine. Irene (Hoos) Fletcher, small world. Craig Fletcher
George, I will try. That day is my parents 63rd anniversary and Wednesday is our 42nd anniversary. The ride is our gift to them.
Craig, That is exciting, I am glad to see people support the caboose and be able to enjoy it. Mrs. Fletcher is coach and teacher to my 6th grade daughter Sayla. I know her husband and all his brothers, we grew up not far away. Small world for sure!
Paul Slavens humbly reveling in the joys of a job well done. Paul's dream of restoring a Frisco caboose to roadworthiness, and fulfilling it over the course of 9 years, with a 2 year break, made this particular anniversary gift fulfillment possible. That is grit, creative problem solving, and determination. My father, Jerry, is 80 and my mother, Ramona, is 79. She has been a lover of trains since she could walk. Walking is a challenge these days, but she made it today with a smile on her face. My wife of 42 years, Carla, has not only put up with, but encouraged, my train hobbies from the start. I am no expert, but the caboose performed very well in my opinion, and the view from the cupola is exceptional. I preferred it to a Vista dome, nice enough, but I think the Extended View is even better. Beautiful, spring in the Ozarks weather, windows open, verdant hills and meadows, creeks running with spring runoff, canoers, fisherman, and frolicking horses, trackside, insightful history lessons regarding the settling of the nation, from "Slim" Jim our conductor, and technical information from Paul himself made for a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing your passion with railfans Paul.
Craig, Thanks for the kind words, it was a really nice day. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed meeting you and your family.
