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South Dakota. I refuse to let that sign throw me off because I never seen that part of the USA in the summer, only winter.
I don’t know where it is but I like the picture. I cheched out your album too. I like that UP derail shot.
If you’re going by the ‘Wall Drug’ sign technically I’ve seen 'em in WI, KS, MN, SD, NB, ND, and WY.
…but yea it’s probably in SD. Nice shots!
I was just having some fun. The pic is taken from US 14, about 15 miles east of Wall. And thanks for the positive feedback.
I think I would challenge that answer. Are you sure it’s not 15 miles west of Wall? In the Cheyenne River valley? (Neat pic by the way. It’s usually not that green west river.)
:You made me double check. Although I lost my GPS data when I changed computers, I do have a pic of Phillip taken only 25 minutes later on June 9 2005. Everything was green that spring. I have some shots of the pronghorn grazing in the badlands.
I guess challenge was a little strong, in the way I used it. [:I] I’m thinking the photo is west of Wall, at the bottom of the hill, approaching the Cheyene River. When I get a little time to do some map research, I think I can maybe zero in on it.[:)] When was it taken?
When and where was the UP derailment in the pic? That looks like it was quite a ride for the crew. How did they fare?
Spokyone- I think I have it figured out, ride along with me for a moment: As you leave Rapid City, heading east on I-90, you cross over DM&E just west of Ellsworth A.F.B. From there, I-90 runs somewhat paralell to, and north of DM&E. The railroad follows the gentle slope of Boxelder creek through Box Elder and New Underwood, heading east to the Cheyene River. I-90, for some unkown reason, is a mile or two north, running continuously up and down the hills of the prairie. ([D)]) As you approach the Cheyene River from the west on I-90, the highway goes down a monster hill. As you reach the bottom of the hill, at speeds approaching 150 mph, the road crosses over the river, and DM&E, which is now running north parallel to the river, and into the near ghost town of Wasta. There is a small siding at Wasta that is usually full of interesting railroad stuff and MOW equipment. It’s hard to focus on, as everyone is trying to brake heavily, upon spotting the Highway patrolman who usually sits at the reast area just east of the river, hoping to write a 150 mph speeding ticket. I-90 goes east, then north, then turns northeast again, going around a big area of river breaks. DM&E goes north through Wasta for a couple miles, then turns somewhat southeast. At that point, I-90 crosses over DM&E again. I-90 then turns east and runs parallel to DM&E for a few miles. It’s at this point, that I think your photo was taken. The road is just a little higher than the railroad, as the rail line runs close to bull creek. From the road, you would see the hills of the river breaks behind the train, as in your photo. The scrub cedar trees in the photo are most commonly found in river breaks of big, west river rivers, like the Cheyene, Belle Fourche, and Missouri.
After running parallel
…That is a nice colorful pic. with vivid colors on the engines and a pretty green clear landscape.
Dear Murphy; 
. Getting to the bottom of things is what you do so well. Calling upon Barbara (Sweetheart), we reviewed my pics last night. Indeed the pic was taken from I-90.
Moments later we turned onto US 14 at Wall so we could follow the tracks. There was a meet in Wall because an E/B crossed US 14 near Cottonwood with DME 6068 & 6086. The track speed must be about 10 MPH through there.
There were thunderstorms everyday we were in the Hills. We stay in a cabin at Rafter Bar J ranch just south of Hill City. Custer State Park is a great way to spend a whole day. The train to Keystone with a true 2-6-6-2 Mallet is not to be missed either. My sister lives in Scotland where her retired husband works part time at the ethanol plant there. ( He says it is not unusual for the train crew to leave the train overnight and the same crew return in the morning.) In 2005 the badlands had many patches of green grass, which we found unusual. Most of the state was in need of more rain. We returned last year in late September and things seemed good in the hills and dry in the prairies. I wonder how things are going over in Wagner with the ethanol plans?
Thanks spokyone. I probably sound a little bit obsessed with the issue.[(-D] I’ve probably passed that spot on the interstate 100 times, and always wished I would see a train there. I never have. Last fall, I saw three active trains in Wall at once, and was amazed! A WB and a MOW train were in the sidings, while an EB grain train passed. That, in itself, is probably a week’s worth of rail action in Wall.
Hi Guys,
Murphy, when I saw that pic, I thought exactly what you did - the grade between Wasta and Wall, climbing out of the Cheyenne River Valley. I used to have family out that way and drove that route, probably 50- 60 times. That’s one of my favorite places along the RR but only saw a train there once or twice.
I stayed at the same campground refernced above about 25 yrs ago in my first trip to the Black Hills. Nice place. I love it out there and even after being out there as many times as my family has, I’d go back right now if I could - still lots of things I haven’t gotten to see. The Black Hills has to be one of the most under-rated vacation spots in the U.S.