Location of Howard Fogg Ben Hur Painting

[Ron Marquardt]

After much past discussion about the location of Howard Fogg's Ben Hur painting, today I finally had the chance to compare it with Google Earth images and track profiles, and I now believe the train is S/B at MP E6.6 between Clear Creek and Harrodsburg, and the road crossing is South Ketchum Road.  / Ron

[Steve Dolzall]

Ron,

Excellent detective work.

[Tim T Swan]

Here's the J.F. Bennett photo which Fogg based the painting on.

[Rick Berg]

I wonder why he changed the engine # from 61 ro 63 ?

[Joe Land]

Changing numbers in his painting was probably a professional courtesy to the photographer.

[Steve Dolzall]

If you notice, in the J. F.Bennett photo, the Mars Light has been rotated so the reds lens is showing.

[Ron Marquardt]

Knowing that many of Joe Bennett's photos were taken between Clear Creek and Harrodsburg, several years ago I put together a detailed study, using modified track profiles and Google Earth images, of the curves, crossings and bridges between McDoel and White River south of Bedford.

I put this study together to help identify the locations of many of the 300+ Joe Bennett photos we now have in our archives, and it has been very helpful, as it is in the case of the painting and photo we have been discussing here.

Because the wires were located on the east side of the tracks, the train was southbound, and Joe's picture was taken at Ketchum Road, MP E6.6.  The single span bridge, also at MP E6.6, is over Clear Creek.  This general area is about 2 miles north of Harrodsburg.  / Ron

PS, I have also attached what I think is a better copy of Joe's photograph.