Author: Jim Pearson

January 2013 Ricky’s Replies

January 19, 2013 Jim Pearson No Comments Rick Bivins, Ricky's Replies

by Rick Bivins, Chapter President

A Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my fellow Western Kentucky Chapter, National Railway Historical Society members. It would seem as though 2012 just went “swoosh” right out the door. But if we look back and reflect on Chapter activities, one quickly realizes what was accomplished. Each month brought us together for business, food, programming and most importantly, camaraderie. I personally enjoy the people aspect of our group most.

2012 also had other high lights to remember. Our trip to Hopkinsville KY. in May was an eye opener; the former L&N RR Freight Station tour was just fabulous. And I never tire of the restored L&N RR Passenger Station which is often our meeting place in May. Friday Night Live in down town Madisonville KY. found our members entertaining festival goers on all three nights, one each in June, July and August. The annual Trackside Pick Nick in Crofton KY. was yet again a very enjoyable October day filled with friends, trains and a few odd sights! We closed the year with a most wonderful evening as guests of Bill and Angela Thomas for a stupendous Christmas Diner. There was more throughout the year, I challenge  members to reflect and remember for themselves.

So what can we expect of 2013? That is entirely up to the membership. Matt Gentry is working up a Calling Card for us to use at events such as Friday Night Live. Steve Miller is working on our Photo Archive and has a new idea to share. Thomas Bryan has several trip ideas to put in front of us. The list can go on. One thing remains, as a “group” we should function as a group. While Thomas as Activity Director or I as President can present an idea for Chapter consideration, Members must get on board to make things happen. If you have an idea, present it. Case in point: I suggested we not have a Christmas Dinner yet once a few Members spoke up, we had what I would turn out as one of the best Dinners EVER!

So, I close by reminding everyone, I only make suggestions, I “lead” as President based solely on input from the Members. Hence the ongoing name of my monthly submission to the Newsletter: Rick’s Reply’s.   I cannot reply to a quiet Membership!

 

Rail Flicks by Tommy Johnson – Utah’s Incredible Soldier Summit

November 24, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Rail Flicks, Tommy Johnson, Videos

Title Utah’s Incredible Soldier Summit
Producer Railway Productions
Format Wide Screen DVD
Playing Time 1 hr 30 minutes
Purchased From RailFanDepot.com
Date Purchased 10/15/12
Price Paid $24.95

This DVD gives us a good look at Union Pacific’s main line between the Utah cities of Helper and Provo.  Soldier Summit is where the line crosses the crest of the Wasatch Mountains and grades of up to 2.5% must be overcome as westbound loaded coal trains climb up and over the top.  This is accomplished with the assistance of mid train and rear end helper locomotives.  We follow the route from Helper (elev 5840 ft) westward and over Soldier Summit (elev 7477 ft) to Provo.  As one might guess, the town of Helper is named after helper locomotives and is the base of operations for them.

This line was once part of the Denver & Rio Grande Western’s main line from Denver to Salt Lake City but the D&RGW bought the Southern Pacific and took on the SP name in 1988.  Then in 1996 the Union Pacific bought the SP and this track has been Union Pacific trackage since that time.  The BNSF has trackage rights along this route and we see some of their traffic during the video.  The Utah Railway also runs coal trains on this route, both on their own trackage and on UP trackage.  The Amtrak California Zephyr runs this route just as did the original California Zephyr.

Features encountered along the way from Helper to Provo include a rock formation known as “Castle Gate,” the twin Nolan Tunnels, another pair of tunnels at Kyune, Soldier Summit itself, Gilully Loop, and still another pair of tunnels at Thistle.

This video gives us a nice wide screen view of the Price River Canyon where US Hwy 6, the Price River, and the Union Pacific RR run parallel to one another.  The scenery and the railroad action are enough to make this video worth the price.

 

Rich and Karen on the KRM

November 24, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Rich Hane

On Saturday, Oct. 20th my wife and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Kentucky Railway Museum to enjoy our free train trip which is part of the benefits of our family membership. It was a beautiful fall day and we spent some time inside the museum and got to see the 3 new model train layouts on display. I believe these are a temporary exhibit while they decide what is going to happen to the building which housed the model trains before the flood damage of 2010. The layouts are very well done and can be operated by the visitor and consist of a Lionel O scale layout, an American Flyer S scale layout, and an HO scale layout.

krm1We made an extra donation to the museum this year since they have been experiencing tight financial times and were surprised to be invited to ride in the Soo Line caboose which was being coupled to the rear of the passenger train. This caboose was built in the later years of caboose use in the 1970s and belongs to a group who lets the museum use it in return for storage. It had old seats from a bus installed which were quite comfortable; or maybe we were just excited to be riding in a real caboose. The caboose was added to give a ride to about a dozen of the fellows that faithfully volunteer their services all year long and we were allowed to ride in the cupola.  Besides the nice ride, we had a chance to visit with the volunteers and even got some rare mileage in as we were shuffled around the yard behind the GE 44 ton center cab switcher. These little guys have twin 380 HP diesel engines and are very functional.

The main line run  was powered by a newly arrived GP7 diesel which started life as a Reading unit and was krm2later sold to Weyerhaeuser Timber Corporation and came to the museum from an equipment dealer as a trade for some old equipment. It seemed to run quite well and did not smoke excessively.

We always enjoy our trips to the Kentucky Railway Museum and appreciate all that they do to keep railroading history available to everyone. They always are grateful for memberships, donations, or visits so please keep them in your thoughts. They can be reached at the Kentucky Railway Museum, 136 South Main St., PO Box 240, New Haven, KY 40051, 502.549.5470, 800.272.0152, info@kyrail.org.

krm3

 

Mystery Location for November 2012 – Where Are We?

November 24, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Mystery Location
Where Are We? This mid-western depot once saw several daily passenger trains connecting the “Gateway to the New South” with its trunk line just a few miles to the west.
Where Are We? This mid-western depot once saw several daily passenger trains connecting the “Gateway to the New South” with its trunk line just a few miles to the west.

If you think you know the location (city and state) of our mystery photo, send your answer to me via email: bill@fbcmadisonville.com, or mail to Bill Thomas, 1025 Lakewood Dr., Madisonville, KY 42431. Correct responses will be placed in a pool drawing in December for a small but meaningful prize. Notoriety will also be included.

There were no correct responses to last month’s Mystery Location submitted by Matt Gentry. The location was Tehachapi, California.

Down Memory Lane

November 24, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Wallace Henderson

by Wallace Henderson

memory1

In November of 1992, our RVP Wes Ross and the Kentucky Central Chapter hosted the NRHS fall board meeting in Lexington. Dr. Ross asked the Kentucky chapters to send representatives to the weekend meeting and several of our members attended. Back then the Kentucky Central Chapter had a tourist train powered by a 2-6-2 locomotive which had come from Arkansas’ Reader Railroad and which they ran on the TTI (Trans-Kentucky Transportation) line out of Paris, KY., the former L&N Maysville branch.

The activity for the meeting was a Saturday morning trip on this train from Paris to Ewing, where we had a bar-b-que lunch in the local fire hall. It was a frigid day! But before lunch, we were treated to a photo run. This was on November 7, 1992.

memory2

 

 

November 2012 Ricky’s Replies

November 24, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments General Post

by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

Hello Friends, here we are in the Month of November, 2012 nearing the end of what seems to have been a whirlwind year of activity. As we look back over the year we see several highlights. Our monthly programs have been of considerable interest, meeting content has be very good, club activity has been better and each month we relish the fact that we can gather, share in the camaraderie of trains and eat!

Our trip to Mayfield and Paducah is still in limbo (to quote Wally Watts) due to a number of factors. Foremost being that, our contact person at Progress Rail is not a Chapter member, yet he has tried diligently to keep us informed. His contact at Progress Rail has left the company or moved to a new location as the case may be. Now we have to reestablish contact with Progress Rail which may take time. So, do not give up, this will be a great trip when it does come about. Additionally, we have a standing invitation to the NRHS Chapter in Paducah and to tour their museum. Thomas Bryan has information on the Evansville IN museum which would be a nice trip. To this end I again say: “Someone step up to the plate and make the arrangements”. Several will get on board if told the particulars.

As noted in the Minutes of the last Meeting, our meeting time stays at 7:00 PM. As simple as this idea was (to change meeting time) I was pleased at how the Chapter handled the discussion and selection process. We were focused and performed, so to speak. I would like to see more business handled this way at our meetings. I feel we would grow as a result.

November brings us to elections. At this point following the October meeting, no one has challenged the current officers. However, I will open the floor again for nominations for officers. Speak up, be heard, nominate someone if you would like. And remember, one can even nominate themselves.

Kudos goes out again to Tom, Wally and Bill for updating the membership roster. Speak up for a copy if you do not have one.

Matt Gentry is working on our calling card file; I gave him the “basics” of what I felt we need to say. Matt will have a report soon I am sure.

Bill and Angela Thomas have graciously volunteered to host our Christmas Dinner at their home in Madisonville. The date is December 21, 2012 at 6:00 PM. Details will be forth coming Monday November 26, 2012 during the Chapter Meeting. Please make plans to attend both and feel free to bring a guest.  Their address is 1025 Lakewood Drive, Madisonville.