Author: Jim Pearson

2014 February’s Discussion

March 11, 2014 Jim Pearson No Comments Discussions
A southbound grain train led by UP power exits the Madisonville bypass at Mortons Gap KY on March 7, 2014. -Rick Bivins
A southbound grain train led by UP power exits the Madisonville bypass at Mortons Gap KY on March 7, 2014. -Rick Bivins

by Wally Watts & Matt Gentry

The month of February brought the execution of a new idea for the West Kentucky NRHS, and that was to have brief discussions (roughly 15 minutes) at each meeting about general railroad knowledge or why a railroad may execute its procedures this way or that.

For the month of February, our President Tom Johnson gave a topic to get the idea off the ground, and the topic was “Why do we see foreign rail power on another railroads trackage, and how does that railroad get compensated?” For example; why do we see Union Pacific power running on CSX track through Madisonville KY? (Which we witnessed during the meeting!)

A lot of times, the simple answer can be that the train is a “run through.”  This means that the train does not get altered from its origination point to its final destination. These trains are typically your coal drags, grain trains, coke trains and oil trains. What this means is that an oil train put together and loaded in the oil fields of North Dakota on the BNSF will not be altered until it reaches its destination at an oil refinery in Ashland, Kentucky for example.

Even Class II RR’s trade power. Here, Wheeling & Lake Erie is found on NS tracks in Elkhart IN. 10/29/11 -Matt Gentry
Even Class II RR’s trade power. Here, Wheeling & Lake Erie is found on NS tracks in Elkhart IN. 10/29/11 -Matt Gentry

The reason you may see foreign power running a local manifest freight would most likely be the foreign railroad is running out their borrowed time to the railroad that is running the train. The way the railroads get paid for the use of their locomotives elsewhere in the nation is based on how many “horse power hours” a locomotive gets used and therefore billed to the operating railroad. For instance, if a Union Pacific locomotive with a horse power rating of 4400 horse power were used for 13 hours on the CSX, the CSX would owe them 13 hrs of use of one of their locomotives with a 4400 horse power rating. There are many different configurations that the horse power hours get calculated and paid back due to different horse power locomotives. A CSX 4000 horse power unit would take more than 13 hours to pay back the UP for their 13 hour 4400 horse power unit.

NS & CP units are seen at Romney KY on March 8, 2014 -Rick Bivins
NS & CP units are seen at Romney KY on March 8, 2014 -Rick Bivins

Another example-In the 1940’s and 50’s when the SP, UP, and C&NW were running the City of San Francisco, I (Wally) have seen photos of the train in Green River, WY with an ABB lash-up of C&NW E-7’s eastbound. They were “running out their time” in UP territory with C&NW crews-BUT with a UP “pilot” engineer on board. Same thing sometimes with the westbound “City.” It would be seen in Nebraska with SP E-6’s or 7’s on the point. They were “running out their time” they “owed” UP.  Instead of owing money or borrowing money to each other, they owe time-or “horse power hours” if you will.

A southbound CN switches onto Union Pacific’s Chester Sub. at Gorham IL on February 18, 2014 -Thomas Bryan
A southbound CN switches onto Union Pacific’s Chester Sub. at Gorham IL on February 18, 2014 -Thomas Bryan

The topic of discussion for the moth of March was planned to be presented by David Millen over the L&N railroad throughout the area. However I (Matt) stopped at David’s house after the meeting in February to drop off his copy of  The PennyRail to find that he had slipped on the ice. David seemed to be getting along OK, but was unsure of his attendance at the March meeting.

In the event of David’s absence, we will use the following question for our topic of discussion:

Why did the Illinois Central run steam on their coal trains in Western Kentucky long after other railroads had gone completely to diesel-electric locos?  –Tom Johnson

Norfolk and Southern at Elkart, IN

February 14, 2014 Jim Pearson No Comments Matt Gentry, Photo Section

IMG_0436

NS #8080 (possibly #8060) heads west into Robert Young rail Yard in Elkart IN in the snow on the evening of January 18, 2014.

There is actually a small story behind this photo. While I was in Elkhart for the weekend visiting some friends, I managed to get down to the depot in downtown Elkhart to watch some trains in the 18 degree weather. (I went to college, right? I should know better, right?) Later that evening while leaving a local eating establishment I realized that we were back downtown. The horn and crossing gates lowering clued me in, and I sprinted off down the street so I could get THE shot. I have wanted a snow shot for quite some time. Luckily, my iPhone 5S takes great photos and this shot happened. It wasn’t until I looked on my computer that I even realized that the moon was in the shot. I’m pretty happy with the photo.

Back at the car, my friends thought I was in the car and were preparing to leave before realizing I was gone. I’m glad they waited. I was not dressed as warm as I was during the day…and it was now ten degrees outside!  – Matt Gentry”

February 2014, The Project Corner

February 14, 2014 Jim Pearson No Comments Project Corner

photo5In The Corner: With Rick Bivins

Why “In The Corner” as the title of an almost monthly newsletter column? Because as a kid, I have fond memories of several corners within the house where I grew up! And, I almost always end up working myself into a corner…somewhere.

As most of you know, I have a fondness for three rail O Gauge trains. After building a layout in the upstairs room of the house I decided and was greatly encouraged by my lovely wife Kathy, to build a building for my trains. Well, it has only taken me two years to build a 16’ by 27’ pole building and an addition (lean-too) 8’ by 27’ of which 18’ of is enclosed (lovely wife Kathy said to build it bigger….I will learn to listen to her one of these days). All of which is sheathed, insulated and has a concrete floor. photo4

As you can see from the pictures I have started to build the layout. The start date of January 9th is significant. My Grandmother Opal Bivins passed away seven years ago on this date. So…my goal is to have trains running by February 9th which at this writing is five days away! I will be able to answer “yes” or “no” to that by meeting night.

photo3Here is the plan…sorta! Lionel is near and dear to my heart so it all starts with Lionel Track, old school tubular rail track, traditional style scenery and accessories. And of course the obligatory PlasticVille structures will adorn the layout. Traditional stops there. The track plan is a point to point, no round and round running which is fine and fun but I want to venture into a little different territory. Well, different for O Gauge three rail anyway.

Trains will run with command control, CTC signals, a dispatcher, a car card/waybill system and at some point a fast clock. Scenery will be as stated; traditional to a point. I hope to use a little more ground cover than days of old but not as radical as some of the layouts others are building and the ones we see in the magazines. The best part? People! I plan to have run sessions and theme nights such as: all New York Central or Penn Central or South West RR’s or GP-7/9 night etc. Variety and interesting scenarios will be “the norm”.  photo6 photo04

So…while I am building it “my way” I hope others will find “their way” to my place on run nights. Run nights will be at this point planned for the first Monday and third Thursday of each month at 6:30PM. That is of course subject to weather and holidays but I will try to keep things “on track” for those nights. Maybe you can join me “in my corner” of three rail bliss! photo7

Editors Note; To appease my want to keep “The Project Corner” a monthly article, I decided to have Ricky’s first “In The Corner” column be this month’s highlight. After this submission, Ricky’s column will have space outside of “The Project Corner” when he has a story to submit. – Matt Gentry

Rail Flicks: Alaska Volume 2 Seward and Whittier Subdivisions on the Alaska Railroad

February 14, 2014 Jim Pearson No Comments Rail Flicks
Title Alaska Volume 2 Seward and Whittier Subdivisions on the Alaska Railroad
Producer Pentrex
Format Full Screen DVD
Playing Time 45 minutes
Purchased From Trainvideodepot.com
Date Purchased 1/22/2014
Price Paid $9.95

The Alaska Railroad consists of 500 miles of single track main line running from Seward to Fairbanks.  The Seward Sub is included in this video and it runs from the southern terminus of the Alaska RR in Seward north to Anchorage.  The Anchorage Sub then runs north to Fairbanks but it is not covered in this video.  We also see the 12 mile long Whittier Sub, which ties into the Seward Sub at Portage.

We see mixed manifest trains, passenger tains, and shuttle trains in this video.  The shuttle trains run between Whittier and Portage.  Cars, trucks, and buses are driven up onto flat cars and are transported between these towns with their passengers in them.  Some of this video was shot from inside the cab of a pickup truck that was being hauled on a flat car of the shuttle train.  The railroad is the only way to travel from Portage to Whittier by land.

At Whittier we see railroad cars loaded onto and unloaded from barges that transport them between Seattle and Whittier.

CSX Announces Plans for New Rail Yard

February 14, 2014 Jim Pearson No Comments News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (February 6, 2014) – CSX Corporation (CSX) today announced plans for its subsidiary, CSX Transportation, Inc., to build a new rail inspection yard in Hopkinsville-Christian County, Kentucky. The new facility will support hundreds of local construction and trade jobs while being built and will initially provide more than 50 on-site jobs servicing the growing freight rail corridor that stretches from the Southeast to the Midwest.

“More efficient rail service to Kentucky customers means a more vibrant economy and more opportunities for business expansion throughout the state,” said David A. Hall, resident vice president, state relations CSX.

The proposed facility will stage trains for inspection and fueling, primarily supporting coal unit trains servicing local Kentucky mines. The facility will expand the capacity and efficiency of the network, allowing CSX to serve the increased production levels of customers in Kentucky while also providing the infrastructure to support the expected ongoing growth of commodities along the entire corridor spanning Evansville, Indiana, Birmingham and Chattanooga.

“We are excited about CSX’s investment in Christian County as it will support our region’s growing economy,” said Christian County Judge Executive Steve Tribble.

Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp agreed adding, “I am extremely pleased to see the continued growth of our local employment base with the addition of this important rail infrastructure and the high quality jobs it brings to our community.”

The CSX facility will initially create 50 to 70 jobs, with the potential to add more jobs as traffic volumes continue to grow. Hundreds of local construction and trade jobs will also be supported during construction.

“CSX’s project will also allow businesses to quickly and efficiently transport products to regional markets and beyond,” said Pembroke Mayor Paulette Stewart.

Current yard development plans call for a multi-phase expansion that aligns with growing traffic levels. CSX expects to complete construction by 2015 to meet the increased demand. As plans for the yard are developed, CSX will work with the community to ensure the facility considers the needs of the community and local economy as well as CSX customers.

CSX already has a longstanding presence in Kentucky. It employs more than 2,400 people in the state and invested more than $98 million in its Kentucky network last year.

source: http://www.csx.com/index.cfm/media/press-releases/
Submitted by Steve Miller

A Visit to Johnny Dawson’s

February 14, 2014 Jim Pearson No Comments Matt Gentry
The first view upon coming down the steps into Johnny’s basement
The first view upon coming down the steps into Johnny’s basement.

by Matt Gentry

I’m not exactly sure when I was talking with Ricky Bivins that he mentioned a trip to Hawsville, KY for a visit to Johnny Dawson’s (member of the Owensboro NRHS) layout, but from what I had heard of the layout, I knew that I wanted to go. Having his layout largely influenced by western railroads, mostly Union Pacific, I knew it would be right up my alley! What a lot of you may not know is that within recent years I have become infatuated with railroad super power; i.e. Cab Forwards, Challengers, Big Boys, Gas Turbine Electrics (all three variants), GE U50, EMD DDA40X, and so on. The size of Johnny’s layout, that I had come to understand, had to be able to accommodate some of the locomotives! Rest assured, I was not disappointed.

The wall of locomotives on display.
The wall of locomotives on display.

Upon entering Johnny’s basement, a layout I can only describe as awesome, was laid out before my eyes! His layout, although not totally finished with scenery, was a sight to see. The track work and track plan is wonderful! This is the first personal layout that I have been to with such use of grades from one level to the next, without the use of a helix, all on the same line. The bridges incorporated into the layout are incredible also, creating wonderful photo opportunities of a single train or of a meet.

The next surprise was the wall of locomotives. That list

When the passenger trains can’t get you to your destination, there is always the airport.
When the passenger trains can’t get you to your destination, there is always the airport.

of super power locomotives listed above?  Yea, they are mostly all accounted for! This was the first time I have seen a model of the Union Pacific Coal Turbine in person. And true to the real monstrosity, this model is huge. I will have to be back and witness it in action. I am also very happy to see Johnny’s collection of modern day diesel locomotives, such as the Union Pacific SD70Ace Heritage units. (Honestly, I’m happy to see that Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern has a Heritage Fleet, period. I wish some other Class I railroads would do the same!)

In the end, I came away with many new ideas to incorporate into a layout of my own, whenever that day

One of the long views down the layout.
One of the long views down the layout.

will come. I want to personally thank (again) Johnny Dawson for his hospitality and opening his layout and home for us to come for a visit. The next open house Johnny has, if you can manage, I highly suggest making the trip.