Author: Jim Pearson
By Wallace Henderson
When I arrived in the Twin Cities before noon on June 27th, I looked for a good photo location, and found one at Fordson Jct. along the Mississippi River in St. Paul. (photo #1) Here the Milwaukee Road mainline, now Canadian Pacific, descends from the bluffs above to join the former Omaha Road (C&NW)
now UP, to head east to St. Paul Union Station. Soon a Twin Cities & Western transfer run came down this line behind a Red River & Western GP15CAT and a TC&W GP20CAT.
The next day was our activities day for the NRHS Board Conference, which began with a visit to the immense newly restored St. Paul Union Station, which Amtrak will begin using this fall. (photo #2)
Next we visited the Minnesota Transportation Museum’s ex-GN Jackson Street Roundhouse. Then we went to the 261 group’s home at Minneapolis Junction where we ate lunch in some of the cars of 261′ s train and photographed the 261 in her shop building “home”. (photo #3)
In the afternoon, we rode a double-headed Northstar commuter train north to Big Lake and back on the former NP/GN mainline also used by Amtrak (photo #4), returning to our hotel in the suburb of Bloomington on the light rail.
On Sunday morning, June 30th, I drove across to Green Bay, Wisconsin to visit the National Railroad Museum to see their huge collection of railroad dining car china and drumheads (photo #5, page 1). They also have a UP “Big Boy” and Pennsy GG1 inside (photo #6).
On the way home, I stopped in Paducah and found the EMD Caterpillar yellow SD70ACE demonstrator
behind the power on the BNSF’s outbound local. On the next track, just out of Progress Rail’s shop in Mayfield were a pair of Canadian Pacific SD30C-ECO units #5014 & 5015. (photos #7 & 8).
This DVD was extremely enjoyable to watch. It is another gem from 7idea Productions and definitely lives up to the high standard of excellence for which 7idea Productions is known. The format is wide screen, the image quality is superb, the camera work is professional, the RR action is good, the scenery is beautiful, the narration is informative, and a nice 3-D map is used early in the video to show us not only the route we will take but the topography of the terrain as well. It would have been nice if the map had been referred to from time to time as we progressed westward but it was only used at the beginning.
We travel westward over the length of Union Pacific’s Green River Sub from Grand Junction in western Colorado to Helper, Utah. Construction of this stretch of track was finished by the Denver & Rio Grande RR in 1884 and it completed the link between Denver and Salt Lake City. It was originally narrow gauge but was converted to standard gauge in 1990. Grand Junction is the division point betwee the Glenwood Springs Sub to the east and the Green River Sub to the west. While in Grand Junction we see the arrival and departure of Amtrak Train #6, the eastbound California Zephyr.
After leaving Grand Junction we follow the Colorado River into Ruby Canyon where we cross into Utah. I can still remember seeing the state boundary marked in paint on the canyon wall during my trip on the California Zephyr in 1960 when I was just eleven years old. That same boundary mark is shown in this video
The most spectacular scenery is encountered on the 37.4 mile long Cane Creek branch line. This branch line descends 1000 feet in elevation to a potash mine in the Colorado River Canyon. Beautiful red rock cliffs line the right of way and there is a scene where a train is viewed through the opening of a natural arch known as the Corona Arch. The trip down this branch line and back is worth the price of the video by itself.
If you like western scenery and good train action, then this video is one you won’t want to miss.
| Title | Across the Utah Desert Union Pacific’s Green River Sub |
| Producer | 7idea Productions |
| Format | Wide Screen DVD |
| Playing Time | 1 hr. 58 min. |
| Purchased From | Trainvideodepot.com |
| Date Purchased | 07/15/13 |
| Price Paid | $25.95 |
By Thomas Bryan
Progress is painful. – CSX SA Dispatcher:
CSX SA Dispatcher answering over (Pause) Q647 wait for a signal and we’ll go South and play with the other trains (Pause) y’all play nice now (Pause) Did you say always, alright here we go, SA out. –CSX SA Dispatcher
Southbound train-Is it raining down there (Pause) Northbound train-Whew I’m soaked from head to toe (Pause) Southbound train-Aw, I forgot my rain gear. –South and North bound trains during a meet.
By Cheryl Truman — ctruman@herald-leader.com
The R.J. Corman Railroad Co. said Monday that it will launch its Lexington Dinner Train on Aug. 14, a key move in a dispute between the company and Lexington Center Corp. that spawned a lawsuit.
The train’s first run, which boards at the company’s Lexington Station, 150 Oliver Lewis Way, near Rupp Arena, is to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original My Old Kentucky Dinner Train in Bardstown.
The Nicholasville-based company said in a news release that the Lexington Dinner Train will run along a 15-mile track from Lexington to Versailles, passing through the Ashview and Calumet horse farms, Keeneland Race Course and the Woodford County village of Pisgah before returning to Lexington.
The trip begins and ends on a rail spur where the company first pledged to start a dinner train in 2010.
The spur extends east from Corman’s Lexington yard, running beneath a bridge on Oliver Lewis Way and onto the parking lot owned by Lexington Center Corp., Rupp Arena’s parent company. The spur leads to a glass-walled structure with red Churchill Downs-like spires that Corman built last year to house “Old Smoky,” a steam locomotive that once chugged through China.
Corman said in a federal lawsuit filed in May that Lexington Center Corp. wanted to shut down the spur.
The launch of the dinner train apparently doesn’t mean that the legal dispute between Corman and Lexington Center has been settled.
“As this continues to be a matter of litigation, we have no comment,” said Bill Owen, chief executive of Lexington Center.
“We’re not going to comment about the lawsuit,” said Noel Rush, vice president of finance and administration for the R.J. Corman Railroad Group, “We are … trying to reach the public through the media about this Lexington dinner train.”
In late June, Lexington Center Corp. asked the court to determine a date by which the excursion train must begin and resolve other disputes regarding the 2010 lease.
In addition to its regular run, the train will cater groups and events. Tickets are sold online at Kydinnertrain.com and at 1-866-801-3463.
The train will begin service at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Lunch is $69.95 for adults and $44.95 for children. Dinner is $84.95 and $54.95. Special adult and children’s murder mystery trains will be $109.95 and $69.95, respectively.
The menu includes a “golden spike” salad with local goat cheese, and a “chocolate choo-choo” dessert: a chocolate engine filled with Chantilly cream and dark chocolate mousse on a chocolate-raspberry track.
On 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.
NS Excursion Schedule!
from: http://tvrail.com/pages/21st-Century-Steam
September 7 & 8 ~ Chattanooga TN to Cleveland TN
Railfest – two round trips per day; 10am & 2pm – In conjunction with TVRM’s “Railfest”, round trip mainline excursion trains will operate from Chattanooga to Cleveland. Departing from TVRM’s Grand Junction Station, the train will travel to Cleveland through Ooltewah, using NS’s Knoxville route. The train will turn on the wye track in Cleveland. Passengers will remain on the train until it returns to Grand Junction. It is expected, as with past Railfest trips, excursions from Chattanooga to Cleveland wiill feature #630 without diesel assistance. Tickets are $45 for the excursion, which includes Railfest admission.
September 14 & 15 (mornings) ~ Birmingham AL to Parrish AL. Steel City Rail Adventure – Approximate 4-1/2 hour, 82-mile round trip rail excursions depart at 8:00am and return around 12:30pm. These trips operate northwestwardly on the Norfolk Southern mainline toward
Sheffield, and return. Passengers will remain on the train for the complete round trip, including the turn around point in Parrish. The boarding location will be the old Southern Railway Terminal Station property (now a vacant lot with parking) located at 2680 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.
All times shown are Central Time. Tickets are $45 for adults and $35 for children age 3-12. Children under age 3 not occupying a seat do not require a ticket.
September 14 & 15 (afternoons) ~ Birmingham AL to Wilton AL. Steel City Rail Adventure – Approximate 4-1/2 hour, 98-mile round trip rail excursions depart at 2:00pm and return around 6:00pm. These trips operate southwardly on the Norfolk Southern mainline toward Selma and Mobile. Passengers will remain on the train for the complete round trip, including the turn around point in Wilton. The boarding location will be the old Southern Railway Terminal Station property (now a vacant lot with parking) located at 2680 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.
All times shown are Central Time. Tickets are $45 for adults and $35 for children age 3-12. Children under age 3 not occupying a seat do not require a ticket.
Submitted by Don Clayton
Greetings NRHS Members. As we find ourselves in the month of August, 2013, much has happened and things have taken a change. Thursday August 8th found us at Keith Kittinger’s House for an evening of friendship and trains. Keith is a gracious host with his Louisville & Nashville based HO Scale layout in operation. Keith has many custom built (by him) cars and locomotives running the mainline under a DCC control system. There is plenty of room to visit and sit/stand or lean! I for one really enjoy these sessions…as if some sort of “group therapy”!
Our last Friday Night Light Live in Downtown Madisonville was moved to the Glema Mahr Center due to heavy rains in the forecast. I elected to not involve our chapter due to possible confusion and low turnout. I understand the music portion was a success for the City of Madisonville but I doubt we could have done much to promote our Chapter there. Of course there is always next year and other events in which one can participate.
Member Bill Grady, his Wife Lisa and their children mourn the loss of Lisa Father. Keep them in Prayer and thought as applicable.
As of this writing, no contact has been made with the Parkway Plaza Mall concerning our proposed display there in. Nor have I been to the Nortonville KY City Museum to check on our display there. My current work schedule is seven days per week and I simply do not have time during business hours to make those contacts.
Upcoming events: The much anticipated annual Fall Picnic will be September 28th In Crofton KY. Co-sponsored by our Hopkinsville KY Members. We will meet at the Veterans Park which is track side just off Hwy 41. Time is loosely from 9:00AM until the last one leaves. Food can be had locally or bring your own picnic basket.
The Chapter Fall Foliage trip on the Nashville & Eastern will be October 12th. I would suggest we discuss car-pool arrangements outside of Meeting time. This will be a fun day and greatly enjoyed I am sure.
David Hayes has the program for this month. David is a store house of knowledge of the Illinois Central Railroad. With the ICRR being a focus railroad of his and a local railroad to us, I am sure we can look forward to a great program.
Make it a point to attend the meeting Monday, September 16th 2013 at the former Louisville & Nashville Railroad Passenger Station on West Arch Street in Madisonville KY.
Bring a guest and a “Show-N-Tell” item.
If you missed our July 2013 meeting you missed a great program by Tommy Johnson on the restoration of 3751. Our next meeting will be Monday, August 19th, at the L&N Depot on West Arch Street in Madisonville, Ky
David Hayes will present a program on the IC Kentucky Division from the Derby to Banana Pudding.. with a special additional show Riding Pullman Journey down the Main Line of Mid America.
Bring something for Show and Tell and maybe even an item for the raffle. Please encourage one another to attend our monthly meetings, every “squealing flange” counts! Visitors are welcome and refreshments will be served.
| Title | Into the Allegheny Range Vol 3 Cumberland, Maryland, to Grafton, West Virginia |
| Producer | Pentrex (Iron Horse America) |
| Format | 2 DVDs |
| Playing Time | 3 hrs. 30 min. |
| Purchased From | TrainVideoDepot.com |
| Date Purchased | 6/20/2013 |
| Price Paid | $14.95 |
This two DVD set created by Iron Horse America and distributed by Pentrex is a joy to watch. We are taken back to the early 1990s to follow the route of the old B & O main line through the Allegheny Mountains of Maryland and West Virginia. We see the familiar yellow-nosed blue and gray locomotives of the CSX in the power lash-ups along with a few bright blue Conrail units and an occasional Chessie badged locomotive.
Most of the scenes are dated from the winter months of 1993 and 1994 and there are a few snow scenes included. The image quality is very good considering that it was shot twenty years ago and there is some very nice scenery serving as a backdrop to the railroad action.
The eastern Continental Divide is crossed as we make our westward journey from Cumberland, MD, to Grafton, WV. There are four torturous grades of as much as 2.8% that must be overcome along the route, one of which is the famous “Cranberry Grade.” Helper units are routine on this sub, which is called “The Mountain Sub.” The area included in these DVDs is also referred to as “The West End.”
We see one train “doubled” during the course of the video. It is called “doubling” when a train stalls and must be brought up the grade in two parts. In this case one of the helpers lost power and that was enough to stall the train.
Good use of maps was made and the maps included charts to show elevation, which really helps the viewer understand how tough the railroading actually is over this sub.
Good scenery, good image quality, great train action, informative narration, and good use of maps combine to make me give this one an “A.” I recommend it for your collection. Too bad it was not shot in wide screen format.
By Rick Bivins, Chapter President
Hello everyone, it is already July and I must say it, “Christmas is less than six months away”! Did you really need to know that? June has come and gone and in so doing, our Chapter has been busy. Our first Friday Night Live was a good one with cooler temperatures compared to the last few years. Our booth was well patronized; kids and adults alike seemed to enjoy the trains and Wally’s steam engines. The new business cards which were much easier to hand out were well received. Everyone involved had a good time. The next one is July 12th, the Friday before our regular meeting. It would be nice if more members were in attendance. A report will be given on meeting night.
On Thursday June 27th several members attended Bill Thomas’ evening with friends at the Thomas home. Bill had a few gauge one trains going in the back yard on his nicely landscaped out door railroad. Bob McCracken ran a really neat Astor live steam two truck Shay. Yes, a live steam, gauge one Shay, what a hoot that was. We visited, talked and nibbled on snacks until after ten o’clock that evening. A fun time was had by all in attendance. A very special thanks goes out to Bill and Angela for having our motley group over for the evening.
On July 2nd I drove to Princeton Indiana for some rail fanning with my ole pal Phil Randall. After watching a CSX MP15 switcher shove a cut of cars across Hi-way 41 on Evansville’s north side (while eating a burger at Hardee’s) I headed further north to meet up with Phil. We drove around Princeton tracing the old traction line roadbed which was really neat. We took in some sights at the Princeton depot which is nicely restored as well as at the CSX/NS diamond. Our first train was a southbound NS empty auto-rack train with a single BNSF unit for power. A good time was had and I enjoyed seeing our old friend Phil.
Our meeting Monday July 15th will feature one Tom Johnson’s video’s “Santa Fe 3751 the Restoration”. Tom reviewed this video in a previous newsletter. I am sure it will be a treat. Donnie and Betty Knight are providing refreshments which will be a treat as well. Please make it a point to attend and bring a “show n tell” and a guest.
Photos from Bill Heaton’s trip to Worchester, MA, for the National O Scale Convention in June.
