The Western Kentucky Chapter, NRHS was well represented on the TCRM rail excursion from Nashville to Monterey, TN and return on Saturday October 11, 2008. Sixteen Chapter members and eighteen family members and friends took the all day adventure in excellent accommodations in a 1953 ex Santa Fe coach. The train, with 11 passenger cars, a private car and a private caboose plus 4 auxiliary cars left Nashville at 8:00 AM behind a TC E8, two L&N F7Bs and an AmtrakF40. The roadbed from Nashville to Lebanon is exceptional and is the route used by the Music City Star commuter line. The line from Lebanon on to Cookeville is also in excellent shape and the line from Cookeville to Monterey is the ‘rare mileage’ portion of the trip and has just been recently re-opened to freight business. Our trip is the first public passenger run over the line since it’s re-opening and likely the first passenger run over this portion of the old Tennessee Central trackage since the early to mid 50s.
We arrived in Monterey about 12:45 PM and the city was ready for us as they were having a “Standing Stone Day’ celebration with a car show, a civil war re-enactment and lots of trade booths in the downtown area. We had plenty of time to visit the attractions and get some lunch. Our train took a couple of cars of locals to the end of the line at the quarry where they also switched the power for the return to Nashville. There was a problem with the switching and we were about an hour behind schedule leaving Monterey. We arrived back at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum a bit before 9:00 PM – a long but very enjoyable trip. The equipment was perfect and the staff most helpful. Chuck Hinrichs
all photos by Chuck Hinrichs except as noted
