Yard Hog

11x14

Oil on Linen Board

Plein Air

"Yard Hog" is railroad slang for a locomotive that is used for car switching in rail yards. This hog is in downtown Ahoskie, NC which appears to be a auction purchase from the now defunct Arizona and California Railroad.  

Unfortunately, four-lane highways have taken out most of the need for rail in Eastern North Carolina; However, such industries still use it here, such as Nucor Steel's plate mill in nearby Cofield. This line allows scrap metal to be hauled to the mill and then finished plate to be hauled out and on to destinations in North America. 

Fred Saunders blocking in

For any other reason, this line provides for a good quick one hour or so study in value and complimenting colors as Fred Saunders and I found along the tracks. As we were blocking in, the Bull (railroad slang for the yard police)  showed up and began looking at our work. At first, I thought that this was another impromptu art critique like so many before as the Hard Hat gave both of our pieces a very authoritative looking over. He then looked at me and said, "yours is too close." 

I looked at my almost finished panel board very puzzled thinking that he meant that I had drifted from a loose impressionist style and towards a more realistic approach to the subject.  As I was about to disagree, the Bull sternly pointed to my easel and said, " you need to be exactly four feet away from the rails per safety regulations."

10-4