Author: Jim Pearson

Chapter Christmas Dinner Menu

November 18, 2013 Jim Pearson No Comments Chapter News

This is the food list members are bringing to the Christmas dinner at Ricky Bivin’s house on December 13, 2013. If anyone wants to bring anything not on the list please let Ricky know as soon as possible.

Rick and Kathy Bivins will provide Turkey and Dressing and dinner rolls

Matt Gentry will treat us with a Boston Butt

Wally Watts will bring soda

Wallace Henderson will bring cup cakes

Donny and Betty Knight will bring baked beans and pie

Tom Johnson will bring green pea salad

Birk Fisher will bring plates and utensils

Bill Thomas will bring apple pie

Steve and Marilyn Miller will bring green bean casserole

Chuck and Shirley Hinrichs will bring cranberries

Rich and Karen Hanes will bring a sweet potato casserole

Jim Pearson will bring corn and greenbeans

 

Midwest Hi Speed Rail Report

November 18, 2013 Jim Pearson No Comments News

We did it!

We knew we needed to stand strongly together to urge Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to save the Hoosier State Amtrak Line, which connects Indianapolis to Chicago and towns and cities in between.

Last night, we learned that Gov. Pence and the Indiana Department of Transportation had reached an eleventh hour agreement to fund the Hoosier State Line

If you live in Indiana, can you send a message to Gov. Pence thanking him for doing the right thing and saving the Hoosier State?

This victory demonstrates that a strong, people-powered campaign can make a big impact.

Thousands of you mobilized to save the Hoosier State, the lifeblood of so many communities and families in Indiana and Illinois. You came to the rallies, spoke up at public hearings and sent thousands of messages to Gov. Pence and other elected leaders.

Quite simply, we could not have won this without you. Let’s let Gov. Pence know he made the right choice by listening to our voices. Click here to send him a note. (This link only works if you live in Indiana.)

This victory is about more than just one Amtrak line. It’s about the future economic viability of our entire region–of millions of Midwestern families.

Thank you for all that you do.

Sincerely,
Rick Harnish
Executive Director
Midwest High Speed Rail Association
4765 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Join Us at MidwestHSR.org/Join

– submitted by Bill Corum

October 2013 Rail Flicks by Tommy Johnson

October 21, 2013 Jim Pearson No Comments Rail Flicks

Title Over Sherman Hill Union Pacific’s Laramie Sub
Producer 7idea Productions
Format Wide Screen DVD
Playing Time 1 hr 45 min
Purchased From TrainVideoDepot.com
Date Purchased 09/13/13
Price Paid $27.95

This video meets the lofty standard set by 7idea Productions for high quality wide screen image and professional presentation of the subject matter.  Unfortunately, though, the subject matter in ths case is a little on the boring side as we travel the Laramie Sub of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Something that was not boring was our stop at  the town of Buford, Wyoming, zip code 82052.  It consists of a convenience store, gas pumps, and a pre-manufactured home on ten acres of ground at 8000 feet elevation.  The population of Buford is ONE!   It is the smallest town in the United States and is the nearest town to the highest point on the first transcontinental railroad, Sherman Hill Summit.

Sherman Hill Summit is at 8015 feet elevation.  Despite this high elevation, the topography is almost flat with the only visible snow capped mountains being seen in the distance.  Trains climb a steady 1.5% grade as they travel east to west from Cheyenne to Sherman Summit before dropping down the west side to Laramie.

One point of interest is  the Ames Monument, a pyramid of rocks that stands sixty feet tall at Sherman Summit.  It was built in 1882 to commemorate the contributions of Oakes and Oliver Ames toward the construction of the railroad.

The Hermosa Tunnel is another point of interest but it is not particularly impressive.

The narrator tells us that during his stay in the area while shooting this video in June of 2013 one train that traveled over this sub had 241 cars and was over two miles long at 14,458 feet!  That train passed through at night and was not captured in the video.

There is not too much about this video that generates excitement but there is historical significance to this location as the highest point on the first transcontinental railroad, so I give it a C+.

 

 

 

 

October 2013 Ricky’s Replies

October 21, 2013 Jim Pearson No Comments Rick Bivins, Ricky's Replies

Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

Greetings Chapter Members, the pleasant month of October is in full swing and much is going on around us. Those in attendance last month were treated to Thomas and Jim Bryan’s (mom and sis too) annual fish fry. Needless to say, no one left hungry. Thomas was also the program presenter and I, as did others, greatly enjoyed the video “Trouble on the SP”. I had little to zero knowledge of the events covered in the film which was from as much as 60 years ago. Not only did I find the trains of interest but also the cars and buildings. Not to mention people. But of great interest to me were the many shots of vintage earth moving equipment. Bravo Thomas, a great choice.

As of this writing our Members have attended two Chapter functions. The annual Picnic at Crofton was a big success. I counted 24 members and guest present and no fewer than 13 trains including an empty rail train, at least four (or was it six) union Pacific locomotives, two meets and countless Amish Tractors.  Not to mention a very large group of motorcycles! Those in attendance were treated to Wally’s Steam Engines; along with Wally at the steam table was Chuck Henrichs grandson, Hunter. The two of them kept the fires hot and the whistles blowing throughout the day. Matt Gentry had a few of his HO locomotives and cars on display, while Steve Miller kept us in the know with his Mobile Command Station. Truly a great time was had in the midst of great weather.

Several Members were on hand October 12th for the Chapter Fall Foliage train ride which departed Nashville TN and traveled east. I did not attend as I felt it more important to stay near my ailing mother. I will ask for a full report meeting night.

The Monday October 21 meeting night will of course begin our Officer Election process. I will call for nominations for officers three times each. Then in November I will again call for nominations for each office and then hold the election for each. Remember: one can nominate themselves! If any member wishes to hold an office, speak up!!!! You will be given the opportunity to be elected.

Steve Miller is signed up for both the October program and refreshments. Wallace Henderson should have a report for us as well.

Those planning to attend are reminded to bring a guest….the more the merrier.

All aboard Fort Wayne!

October 21, 2013 Jim Pearson No Comments Rare Mileage

all aboardOn October 26th and 27th, restored steam locomotive no. 765 will operate a round-trip excursion between Fort Wayne and Lafayette, Indiana, retracing the route of the famous Wabash Cannonball passenger train.  Sponsored by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in cooperation with Norfolk Southern Corp, the excursion will feature economy and coach class seating aboard vintage passenger cars. Passengers will enjoy a day long trip behind steam locomotive no. 765, lunch and layover in downtown Lafayette along the Wabash River, on-board entertainment, and more. Visitors to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s Open House this weekend at 15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven will be able to tour the locomotive up close.  Tickets will go on sale at 6:00PM EST on September 1st.  Ticket prices will range from $89 and $99 for economy coach seating for children and adults and $109 and $119 for deluxe coach. Railroad historical society members are eligible for a 10% discount on all coach class tickets.  Additional accommodations to be announced. Boarding and parking locations yet to be determined. Click here to read more or visit the 765 this weekend at the 2013 Open House!

 

Eastbound BNSF Seattle-Chicago intermodal train

September 16, 2013 Jim Pearson No Comments Photo Section

fredAt Genoa, WI, an eastbound BNSF Seattle-Chicago intermodal trains passes one of the locks and dams of the upper Mississippi River.  Genoa is just south of La Crosse, WI, on the former CB&Q between Chicago and the Twin Cities, a route that carried two daily “Zephyrs”, the overnight “Blackhawk”, and GN’s “Empire Builder” and the NP’s “North Coast Limited”, and now serves as the eastern end of BNSF’s northern transcontinental route.  One of the most spectacular rail routes in North America, the CB&Q referred to the river-running between Savanna, IL, and Prescott, WI with the slogan “Where nature smiles for 300 miles”. (photo by Scott Wartchow, submitted by Fred Ripley)