Union Pacific’s rail yard alongside a working roundhouse and turntable. The equipment in back of my self-portrait is UP No. 844. At the time of my visit the 844 was in a later stage of heavy maintenance work being performed on the engine’s boiler (firebox, stay-bolts, super-heater units, etc.). Needless to say, I was elated to be given the opportunity to spend the day at the shop and hopefully create, through my artwork, a representation of the essential work require on any steam locomotive. Mention should be made of Ed Dickens, Steam Operations Manager. Thanks to him and the team he has gathered, the UP steam program has a promising future.” Of his technique, Desobeau writes, “This painting is one of three I am working on. I like to have a rotation of paintings available to satisfy my creative desires. Currently, I am working on a rough painting of this subject to work out some values and composition. Once satisfied with the rough painting I will begin work on the final piece. I have never attempted an indoor shed scene and I am enjoying the challenge.” Before you grab a palette and show up
Shed Scenes
While on the subject of railroad artists, American Society of Railway Artists founding member Marc Desobeau (www.tinyurl. com/hy75ns4) recently undertook a project he attributes to seeing the work of the group’s counterpart in Great Britain, the Guild of Railway Artists (
www.railart.co.uk). He noticed that while Guild members typically include “shed scenes” among their works, few American artists do so. Marc set out to
correct that shortcoming, as you can see in the accompanying photograph. He explains: “I made the trip to the Union Pacific Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyo., in the fall of last year. I was able to spend one day, from morning until evening, in the shop sketching, photographing, and asking questions. The Steam Shop is where most of the mechanical work is performed on all of the Union Pacific heritage equipment (steam, diesel, and snow removal). The shop is in the middle of the
at the UP Steam Shop pretending to be an artist, know that Marc is an insider, which may have helped him gain access. He’s going on his 26th year as a locomotive engineer with Union Pacific. He works pool assignments out of Ogden, Utah, and before worked as a locomotive engineer and fireman on the Durango & Silverton, and before that at Roaring Camp in California in multiple roles. Summary: He brought credentials and understanding to this project.
PLEASE SEND QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS on railroad dining, art, and other trackside treats to Jim Porterfi eld at P.O. Box 3041, Elkins, WV 26241, or email
onthemenu@railfan.com.
58 MARCH 2016 •
RAILFAN.COM
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