tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post8660875282247569448..comments2024-03-10T22:38:04.638-05:00Comments on WaltersRail : Kansas City Southern: Ouachita Mountains RevivalPaul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-16121498138267870642019-08-03T03:00:40.877-05:002019-08-03T03:00:40.877-05:00Excellent blog and photos. Each of your posts fea...Excellent blog and photos. Each of your posts featuring the KCS in the Ouachitas have been very enjoyable. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Winding Stair Mountain ridge lies west of U.S. 259 in Oklahoma. East of the gap where U.S. 259 runs north-south, the mountain ridge that straddles the state line south of Black Fork Mountain is, "Rich Mountain." Talimena Scenic Drive spans the crests of Winding Stair and Rich Mountain ridges from west to east. The KCS railroad used the name of the ridge to the south for its control point at the summit of the grade which culminates near the headwaters of the westwardly flowing Big Creek, and the eastwardly flowing Ouachita River. The respective watersheds of these mountain streams are fed by the south slope of Black Fork Mountain and the north slope of Rich Mountain. So, "Rich Mountain," might refer to the long mountain ridge featuring such attractions as a lookout tower at its 2,681' summit and the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, or its namesake KCS railroad siding control point and the tiny adjacent community located at the apex of the valley north of the mountain ridge of the same name.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com