Author: Jim Pearson
for “First Families of Virginia”, but meaning “Fast Flying Virginian”) is seen coming and
going at Huntington, WV, a couple of hours from its mid-afternoon arrival at Cincinnati.
The next month, I found myself in a similar situation, sitting at my desk working on another school project and *ding*, there it was again. This time as I was looking through, I asked myself “Why don’t I ask about being the editor of The Pennyrail?” Then I let reality grab hold; I was going to school full time, when I wasn’t at school, I was working as a Graphic Designer at a local sign and banner shop, I wasn’t allowed any time to attend the chapter meetings due to work, school and other life activities. I just didn’t feel it was a viable option to take on responsibility of something that I felt needed more time that I wasn’t anywhere near capable of dedicating to the publication!
I graduated college in May of 2010 (boy, I’m glad I have completed that!), and fast forward to the fall of 2012. I was not working in design, let alone at the sign and banner shop, but I had a job that allowed me to attend the chapter meetings. After being able to attend a few meetings at the end of 2012, I made it my goal to attend all meetings during 2013. And yes, I made it Birk Fischer’s goal as well, whether he knew it or not (haha!).
On to May of 2013; unfortunately my job was not as stable as I had thought it to be and I ended up leaving it before it got way out of hand (you know, don’t burn any bridges). So I found myself trying to expand my mowing business by finding more repeat customers and I started offering landscaping services. This ended up working well, in my eyes. I could get started working when I wanted and I could make my own schedule. But most of all, I could do more of what I really enjoy doing and that was spend more time with chapter members and chasing trains!
Now we find ourselves with 2013 winding down. Unfortunately, Bill Thomas’ job situation would not allow him the time for being editor of The Pennyrail, and Ricky Bivins was going to make an attempt at it. It wasn’t too long after that Ricky and I were conversing through text message that he asked what my thoughts of becoming the editor were. I shared with him that I had thought about it in years past and just did not have the time. But now I didn’t have anything really stopping me. So, it was at the November meeting that I accepted the position of the new editor of The Pennyrail.
Hopefully, I can continue to do the publication justice as my predecessors have done. I look forward to being able to share your submissions with the rest of the chapter. Remember, this is your newsletter. Without your submitted content, I don’t have much more to share. So go through those old photos! If you have hard copies with coinciding information, I can scan the photos (no slides yet) for publication and return them to you.
Happy New Year West Kentucky NRHS!
The somewhat annual Western Kentucky Chapter, National Railway Historical Society Christmas Dinner was held December 13 (Friday the Thirteenth!) at 6:00 PM as planned. My lovely and understanding wife Kathy and I were both very apprehensive at first but as the evening went on we realize how nice and enjoyable it was to show off our home. The food being pot luck style was as expected, exceptional. The conversations and periods of entertainment (trains via CSX) was a lot of fun. I am very happy as to the results and efforts made by so many. While everyone said in one form or another, “Thank You”, I am the one that must say Thank YOU, for a delightful evening.
Those in attendance were: (I think this is a complete list).
Donnie & Betty Knight, Bill & Mrs. Ferrell and Blair, Steve & Marilyn Miller, Rich & Karen Hane, Keith & Allyson Kittinger, Chuck & Shirley Hinrichs, Jim & Kathy Kemp, Birk Fischer, Matt Gentry, Tom Johnson, Bill Thomas, Jim Pearson, Kathy and Rick Bivins.
If I left someone out please speak up at the next meeting. Again, Thank You from Kathy and Rick Bivins
This DVD is a must have for those who love steam!
It is a fantastic DVD in its own right but to get the full significance of it, the first DVD in this two part series should be viewed. The first video is titled “Santa Fe 3751 the Restoration.” I reviewed that DVD back in April and I believe I also presented it as our entertainment that month.
We are shown in this video scenes from the maiden run of the 3751 after her ten year restoration. We follow the 3751 from San Bernardino to L.A., from L.A. to Barstow, from Barstow to Bakersfield, from Bakersfield back to Barstow, and from Barstow back to L.A. The trip began on Friday, December 27, 1991.
The highlights of 3751’s distinguished history are as follows:
– May 1927 The 3751 was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works as the first 4-8-4 northern type locomotive to be purchased by the Santa Fe and the first one of its type to be built by Baldwin.
– 1936 The 3751 was converted from coal to fuel oil. At that time she had 73″ drivers and her boiler had a steam capacity of 210 psi. Her tender had a 15,000 gallon water capacity and a 5000 gallon fuel oil capacity.
– 1938 She received a new tender with 20,000 gallons water capacity and 7000 gallons fuel oil capacity.
– 1941 MAJOR rebuild included 80″ drivers, increased boiler capacity to 230 psi, 30″x30″ cylinders, and Timken roller bearings. This made her capable of 90 MPH and she and her sisters who had been similarly rebuilt were then used in run-through service from Kansas City to Los Angeles.
– 1953 The 3751 was retired from service.
– 1958 The 3751 was donated by the Santa Fe to the city of San Bernardino and placed in Viaduct Park.
The 3751 sat in the open in Viaduct Park from 1958 to 1986. Some preliminary restoration work was begun in 1981 by the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, which had been formed for the specific purpose of restoring the 3751. Things really started happening in earnest when the SBRHS bought 3751 from the City of San Bernardino for $1.00 and moved her indoors to an abandoned steel mill building in Fontana, CA, in May of 1986.
Steam lovers, buy this video! Better yet, buy both this one and the one that shows the restoration, “Santa Fe 3751 the Restoration.” Also, a visit to the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society’s web page would be worth your time.
http://www.sbrhs.org/index.html
by Rick Bivins, Outgoing Chapter President
Out with the Old and in with the New. Happy New Year everyone, may 2014 be a blessed year each and every one of us. Having decided to not seek re-election as President for the 2014 year brings about change, which will be a good thing. I have no doubt as to Tom being a productive and fun President. Change has come about for me as well; my Mother’s passing in October of last year creates both a void and a need. I have always been close to my parents and now I will be keeping a closer eye on my Dad. My plans now are to take advantage of my work shop/train building that is coming along nicely. I will be having “The Guys” over a few times a month to enjoy model trains, real trains and train talk. I hope to create a pleasant environment for anyone wanting to join in. At this point I am finishing up the building and I already have some bench work in place (for the three rail trains). The grand-daughters enjoy riding their cars on the concrete floor so who knows what adventures one may seek there in!
As for Chapter activities, I plan to approach the Chapter with a few ideas and perhaps spearhead them as well. As President I felt the need to put wheels into motion to make things happen which was not always the case. As President I did not feel it was my duty to “do them”. I will take a more active role in getting things done on the Chapters behalf.
I recovered my artifacts from the Nortonville Museum. I had heard “through the proverbial grapevine” the new Mayor of Nortonville wants to do away with the museum, library and even the building which is the old grade school. I was afraid for my “stuff” being caught up in what “could” come about. I did however leave the a few things such as duplicate paper items and the old heavy glass and wood cabinet that I restored and donated years ago. While talking with “Miss Martha”, which is always a hoot, she asked about Dennis! She was saddened and shocked to hear of his passing. Hopefully the Nortonville Museum has a long term future.
As we make our way through 2014 I will present my “ideas” for the Chapters consideration. I think some are good and some are better! It will be up to the Members to decide whether or not to adopt them. Meanwhile I hope everyone joins me in welcoming one of our newest members and this year’s President, Tom (Da Man) Johnson.
We have raised $2.1 million toward our $3.5 million goal to restore the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 Steam Passenger Locomotive. We have received donations from 16 countries and every state in the nation underscoring the popularity of our iconic 4-8-4 around the world.
On November 22, Norfolk Southern donated $1.5 million to the campaign, bringing us much closer toward our goal. Norfolk Southern has not only given us a generous monetary contribution, they are helping
us make the operation of the Class J 611 possible. Thank you, Norfolk Southern, for helping to bring the
dream closer to reality for the many fans of 611.
When will the engine move to the North Carolina Transportation Museum for restoration?
We are working hard to secure the $3.5 million needed for our 611 restoration and maintenance facility. The Fire Up 611! Committee is busy behind the scenes visiting potential donors. The timeline to complete this campaign is based on getting to $3.5 million. The 611 will move to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina for restoration as soon as we reach the $3.5 million goal.
The Committee is not waiting for the move to start their preliminary work. They are reviewing engineering drawings from the archives of the Norfolk & Western Historical Society and the VMT. We want to be ready to go as soon as we reach our $3.5 million goal.
Editorial Comments by Bill Thomas
I’m not sure exactly when I told Chuck Hinrichs I would try my hand at producing and editing our chapter’s fine newsletter, The PennyRail. I was following a long line of astute volunteer railroad walking encyclopedias like Chuck and our missed-friend Dennis Carnal. Talk about tough acts to follow – needless to say I felt inadequate for the job. But with encouragement from both and many chapter members I set out to simply maintain the integrity and level of quality we’d all come to expect.
With my recent shift in career paths from professional minister to realtor, I need to reorganize my civic work load in order to assure financial stability for my family. So, beginning this January, 2014, our own Ricky Bivins will take the bull by the horns and begin the task of assembling and producing our newsletter. I hope you will join me in welcoming him to the post and encourage him by contributing publishing material on a regular basis. No information or stories are too small or insignificant for publication. Remember, this is a local chapter, not the Chicago Board of Trade. Personal stories and local photographs are necessary. Keep those cameras and smart phones handy. You never know when a once-in-a-lifetime shot will come along.
I want to say “thanks” to the chapter for your support and many contributions to the PennyRail over the last several years as I attempted to bring you a publication of which you are proud. I’m looking forward to being a contributor in the future!
| Title | A Rocky Mountain Winter |
| Producer | Highball Productions |
| Format | Wide Screen DVD |
| Playing Time | 1 Hr 55 Min |
| Purchased From | Railfan Depot |
| Date Purchased | 1/4/2010 |
| Price Paid | $34.15 |
“A Rocky Mountain Winter” is a joy to watch. It combines some great railroad action with spectacular scenery from the Canadian Rockies. The videography is excellent and the format is wide screen.
It’s early February 2008 and we are on the Canadian Pacific Railroad west of Calgary, Alberta, and are headed west through some of the most magnificent mountain scenery on this planet. We see the bright red CP locomotives in three different paint schemes providing the power for unit coal trains, unit grain trains, unit potash trains, mixed manifest freights, doube stacks and auto racks.
Our route takes us alongside the Bow River through the beautiful Bow Valley as we head west. The free-flowing Bow River runs beside the tracks and massive snow-capped sunlit peaks provide a breath-taking backdrop.
We eventually reach Morant’s Curve which is one of the most photographed railroad locations in North America. It was named for Nicolas Morant, a Canadian Pacific photographer who used pictures from this area in promotional materials. It is such a beautiful location that one might choose to sit there all day and stare.
My only serious complaint about this video is the total absence of maps. Not only are maps not used but we get no overview in the narration as to the route we are going to be following. The narration simply moves from one point to the next.
This is a serious shortcoming but the gorgeous scenery and good railroad action along with the high quality of the video and the wide screen format make this video well worth the price. It is two hours of pure joy. I definitely recommend this one.
A spell-binding account of a runaway train in 1977 at Rogers Pass can be found by following this link. http://www.carknocker.com/runaway3.htm Rogers Pass is located on this same route that we follow in this DVD.
By Thomas Bryan
“Q648-We got less than 2 hours to work and 300 hundred gallons. T149-Just get some corn from the field, stuff it in the tank and maybe it’ll turn to ethanol.” -Two crews chatting at Henderson, Q648 would leave Henderson with less than an hour to work.
Northbound Train- “The wheels on the train go round and round, round and round, round and round, the wheels on the train go round and round all through the town.” -Entertaining themselves sitting in the siding at Robards.
by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President
Hello once again fellow NRHS members and welcome to cool weather. First I would like to say “Thanks” for the many offers of condolence as to the passing of my Mother. She will be missed by many people.
As you recall the October meeting brought about the first round of Officer Nominations. The only change being I will not seek re-election as President. At this point, Tom Johnson has agreed to ”consider” accepting the nomination for President. He will give us an answer at the next meeting.
Other than then the nominations for officers and Wallace Henderson’s report on the Status of National, we had very little business last month. Several people voiced their enjoyment of the train trip in early October as well as the annual picnic. Steve Miller could not get the video equipment to function and plans to show his video this month along with our friend Gary Ostlund. Gary plans to show his slide of Japanese Bullitt trains dated 1969. I am sure this will be a delightful program.
Also discussed were the plans for our Christmas Dinner. A food list has been sent to the newsletter recipients. That list is shaping up to be a feast. Please review the list as contact me if you would like to bring a dish. Tom Johnson has expressed an interest in having the dinner at the Depot as opposed to my house. He will bring this up at the next meeting for further discussion.
Outside of that, very little was left to discuss. So, members, once again the program for November looks to be very interesting so make plans to attend and bring a guest.
go out to Ricky Bivins and his family upon the passing of his mother Rose Marie Bivins, on October 31. Any donations may be made to the Richland Missionary Baptist Church Building fund.