REDISCOVERING MYSELF THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

A Train Robbery in 2012

 I live in a rural community...pickup trucks pulling horse trailers are common as can be.  Cattle and horses are part of the scenery, and we have a 4-day rodeo in July that's been in existence 66 years.  For the past several years, the Stampeders have kicked off their season by staging a robbery of the excursion train that's based in our little town.  Because I'm related to several of the participants, I have been the photographer on the train.  
Masked riders visit the train as soon as passengers board
Outlaws watch the train depart on the 6-hour trip

Stella Rose, leader of the outlaw gang, is a prisoner of the Sheriff on the train


The Preacher reminded the passengers of Stella's sinful ways

Saloon girls (my 17-year-old great niece and 34-year-old niece) visit with passengers

Even floozies have relatives:  my 92-year-old mother and two brothers

Passengers, many of them senior citizens, enjoy the interaction

A 1904 caboose makes its debut on the trip into roadless territory

Outlaws stop the train and board to remove the money and beads handed out to passengers before the trip



Stella Rose, with the help of the saloon girls and the Preacher, turns the tables on the Sheriff

It wasn't in the script, but the outlaws' horses were at the wrong end of the train!

The annual group photo at an old barn in a tiny settlement along the Grande Ronde River


15 comments:

Melissa Hopper said...

Looks like so much fun! I would have loved to been able to dress up like the women.

Nancy said...

What a blast -- your mom looks fantastic!

Daryl said...

fabulous photos and a fun time .. especially those floozies!

TexWisGirl said...

too cute! i love the aged treatment you gave these shots, too. love the surprise horse(less) ending...

Rosie Grey said...

How gorgeous, Evelyn! This must have been fun to shoot! And it seems like everyone else had a great time, too!

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

Looks like a really fun event, and much of a family affair. How wonderful!
Thanks for taking us along!

Anonymous said...

That looks like so much fun! YOur photos are wonderful.

Linda/patchwork said...

What fun! We have a rodeo here, but no train to rob.
You did a good job as the official photographer.

Anonymous said...

That looks like such fun! Wonderful shots...

Ms. Becky said...

what a blast! I love the vintage look you've given these photos - perfect. I'm wondering how long all these shenanigans take. Your mom looks fantastic too, I love that you included a photo of her. These shots are just excellent. I love your new header photo too it shouts summer.
and just so you know, I've tried growing sea holly and have never had any luck with it! happy day to you Evelyn.

Bridget Larsen said...

SIX HOUR TRIP!!! Where did you go to CANADA????
Anyhooooo it looks like a lot of fun to photograph

Jeannelle said...

Looks like fun! Great photos!

Anonymous said...

WoW! That would be so much fun, I already love trains, so this would just be over the top exciting! LOVE that last shot, too... reminds me of the 'old west' outlaw pics we (my parents & 2 brothers - before my lil sis was born) had made at Six Flags when i was a kid - during the 'Gunsmoke' days at Six Flags! Oh what fun we had... saloon dresses, guns, whiskey bottles, etc... =)

Lisa Gordon said...

This must be so much fun, Evelyn!
Great photos, and thank you for taking us along.

Angie said...

Oh my goodness!!!! This is FABULOUS!!!!! I LOVE all the images!!! And what FUN! Evelyn, this is just amazing. I would love to do something like this with my boys. What a blast!!!! :)