Category: General Post

The best way to see how bullet trains transform economies is to ride them and see the cities they serve.  To ride a bullet train you have to travel overseas. A year ago, members of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association traveled to Spain to see how that country is using high-speed trains to unify the country. This year, we hope to visit France, which pioneered European high-speed rail in 1982.  We hope to include the following elements on this trip:

• A TGV duplex ride on France’s first high-speed line
• A ride at 205 mph on a German-built ICE-3
• A presentation on SNCF’s proposal for a bullet train network in the Midwest
• A tour of a modern light rail line
• A visit to Antwerp Central, rated one the world’s most beautiful railroad stations. It also has a new four track bypass similar to Chicago’s proposed West Loop Transportation Center.

Before we move forward planning the details of trip, we need to gauge interest. We are considering either June 13 – 19 or September 12 – 18.  The trip will go when we have received ten refundable deposits for one of the possible weeks.  We will book the trip through the Society of International Railway Travelers which has given excellent support on past trips.  A potential agenda can be found at: http://www.midwesthsr.org/events/. Please respond to this email and answer the following questions if you are interested in going: (If this email got forwarded to you, send the email to: mark@midwesthsr.org)

1) Do you prefer June or September?
2) Are you willing to spend up to $2,500, $3,500 or $4,000 plus airfare?
3) Would you be interested in an extra three days that would have a focused agenda on trains and facilities?
4) Would you rather go to China?

Make sure to include your full contact information if you want to keep informed. Rick Harnish, Executive Director Midwest High Speed Rail Association 4765 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, 773-334-6758.  Join us at midwestHSR.org.

A couple months ago I mentioned that I have a new book coming out entitled “Kentucky and the Illinois Central Railroad”. It is a soft cover book from Arcadia Publishing and, well, is about the IC’s trains and operations in the Bluegrass State. I had hoped that it would be out by the end of 2009, but that didn’t happen.

However, I’ve now been advised that the book will be available March 29. Unlike another book publisher I worked with who announced publication dates that were repeatedly delayed, Arcadia does not announce a publication date unless they are rock solid certain that the book will actually be printed and in stores. So, the long wait is drawing to a close.

The book is not yet listed on Arcadia’s website (arcadiapublishing.com). But if you go to amazon.com, booksamillion.com, or barnesandnoble.com, and type in “clifford downey”, you can at least see the front cover. As publication draws nearer, then each site will include previews of inside pages.
As always, once the book is out I welcome all comments , good or bad. I certainly hope folks will consider buying this book, for I believe they will enjoy it.

Cliff Downey

Updated member-renewal spread sheets for January 2010 have been sent to the national office.  If you have not paid your renewal dues, please do so as soon as possible to simplify paper work for treasurer Wally Watts and electronic contact, Bill Thomas(me).  The February sheets will be emailed around the 10th of February so Wally will need your dues in hand before then.  Thanks!

On Monday, August 24, 2009, Wallace Henderson and I caught Hopkinsville Elevator’s GP16 (1817) and NREX GP10 (8219) at Atkinson Yard in Madisonville.  Piecing together some bits of information it appears that 1817 is in need of repairs and as 8219 is consigned to Hopkinsville it is likely that the GP10 is a loaner to Hopkinsville Elevator until 1817 can be repaired.  Photos of the two locomotives are attached.  Photos by Chuck Hinrichs

Caught a southbound manifest at Mortons Gap and a dogs breakfast lash-up at Atkinson Yard. No shots of the two trains that passed the depot during the meeting. (photos by Chuck Hinrichs

2478 is not an SD40-2 it is an SD50-2.  This unit and many others are ex Conrial SD50s that have been derated to 3000 hp and re-numbered in the 2400 series.  Chuck Hinrichs

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF RAILFANS ONLY

• SummeRail at C.U.T. – Saturday, August 8, 2009 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Railroad Show and Sale in the Rotunda – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Cincinnati Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio.  http://cincinnatirrclub.org/summerail.htm.
• Crofton Picnic and Train Watching – West Kentucky Chapter of the NRHS – Saturday, October 3.

R J Corman seems to have a system that keeps their red and silver EMDs in immaculate condition. This pair of geeps were shot at Guthrie on July 9, 2009. Photo by Chuck Hinrichs

Caught CSX Q514-29 on Monday, June 29, at 12th St in Hopkinsville after a heads-up from Steve Miller. A great paint scheme.

Story and photo by Chuck Hinrichs

Disney Productions to promote its movie “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” is running a coast to coast multi car Amtrak passenger train with on board exhibits. It will be in Memphis August 4, Indianapolis on September 9, Louisville September 11-13 at Union Station, and Cleveland September 18-19. No stop at Cincinnati is listed. I would guess it will come into and out of Louisville over the Louisville & Indiana. The total story of the 22 May to November 1 trip with station stops is in the Friday issue of USA Today

There is a new link for the CSX trains thru Hopkinsville, get it here. I just added April’s charts. Train density is about 1/3 less than when I started this.

High Iron Travel in conjunction with AAPRCO, Friends of 4449, and the Steam Railroading Institute is offering a unique steam railroading experience: a trip behind ex-SP 4449 from Portland, OR to Minneapolis, MN and return.

Here is the schedule.

Eastbound – Train will be daylight running only.

July 3:Portland to Spokane (BNSF)

July 4: Spokane to Whitefish

July 5: Whitefish to Havre

July 6: Layover day in Havre

July 7: Havre to Minot

July 8: Minot to Fargo

July 9: Layover day in Fargo

July 10: Fargo to Minneapolis.

July 12: Caritas will then proceed to Chicago on Amtrak #8.

Fare: $5,450 per double occupancy and includes all meals except lunch and dinner on the two layover days. Accommodations en route.  If we have sufficient interest we’ll take the Cimarron River and provide roomette accommodations for a $500 surcharge.

Westbound – Train will be daylight running only.

Oct. 13:  Minneapolis to Fargo (BNSF)

Oct. 14:     Fargo to Minot

Oct. 15:  layover day in Minot

Oct. 16:    Minot to Havre

Oct. 17:  Havre to Whitwfish

Oct. 18:      Layover day Whitefish

Oct. 19:   Whitefish to Pasco

Oct. 20:      Pasco to Portland (ex NP Stampede Pass route)

Fare: $5,450 per per double occupancy and includes all meals except lunch and dinner on the two layover days. Accommodations en route.  If we have sufficient interest we’ll take the Cimarron River and provide roomette accommodations for a $500 surcharge. A deposit of $1000 will hold your space.

High Iron Travel Corp.

P.O. Box 37

Waunakee, WI 53597

(608)-285-5489

www.highirontravel.com