Author: Jim Pearson

Mystery Location – Where Are We?

September 21, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Mystery Location

where

We will  make this one easy since we are just beginning this series.  This location is well-known to locals living in the area of the two competing lines which both served the area with brisk passenger trains and many coal drags.  Unfortunately one of these tracks was torn up partially due to duplication of the route in the early 20th century.  Fred Ripley was the first to guess correctly in last month’s mystery spot.  Remington, IN, on the former TP&W.  The lift facility was built in the early 80s in hopes of expanding intermodal traffic but that never developed.  The AT&SF absorbed then sold it off.

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.

CB&Q hotshot GI-68

September 21, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments General Post
Taken by an unknown photographer, this shot shows eastbound CB&Q hotshot GI-68 on the triple-track main through the western Chicago suburbs at La Grange, IL, in January 1968.    GI-67 and 68 were CB&Q/UP pool trains between Chicago and North Platte, NE, interchanged at Grand Island, NE (hence the  "GI" symbol).  As the lead RS-27 (PRR class AF-24) illustrates, this run-through operation also involved the PRR east of Chicago.  The traffic from GI-68 will go east on PRR symbols AC-2/4 and AST-4, with the foreign power turning at either Conway or Enola, PA. Submitted by Fred Ripley.
Taken by an unknown photographer, this shot shows eastbound CB&Q hotshot GI-68 on the triple-track main through the western Chicago suburbs at La Grange, IL, in January 1968. GI-67 and 68 were CB&Q/UP pool trains between Chicago and North Platte, NE, interchanged at Grand Island, NE (hence the “GI” symbol). As the lead RS-27 (PRR class AF-24) illustrates, this run-through operation also involved the PRR east of Chicago. The traffic from GI-68 will go east on PRR symbols AC-2/4 and AST-4, with the foreign power turning at either Conway or Enola, PA. Submitted by Fred Ripley.

Rail Flicks by Tommy Johnson

August 23, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Rail Flicks, Tommy Johnson, Videos
Title Rotaries, Avalanche on the Mountain
Producer BA Productions
Format Wide Screen DVD
Playing Time 1 hr 3 min
Purchased From TrainVideoDepot.com
Date Purchased 11/2/2011
Price Paid $27.89

Fellow Railfans, this one is a must for your collection of RR videos!  If the contents of this DVD do not excite you, then you had better check for a pulse.

The location is Donner Pass, where the Union Pacific RR crosses the summit of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the time is late March of 2011.  There has been record snowfall and more snow is coming down.  The battle to keep the rails cleared of snow so that trains can get through is being lost.

At Donner Pass the order of battle is to first deploy the flangers, which are rail cars with belly blades to plow the snow.  The flangers cannot push the snow very far and become ineffective when the snow gets very deep.

When the flangers cannot get the job done, the Jordan spreaders are then deployed.  These machines have enclosed cabs and sport huge front-mounted blades that can be adjusted to throw the snow to either side.  They also have retractable wings that work in conjunction with the blades to push the snow even further from the tracks.  The spreaders are pushed along by trailing locomotives.  For the vast majority of winters, the Jordan speaders are able to keep the rails cleared.

Last to be deployed in the order of battle are the rotary snow plows.  Very rarely a winter will come along in which the snow depth exceeds the capability of the spreaders, and then it is time to call out the rotary snow plows.  In this video we see the rotaries put into service for the first time since 1998, the first time in thirteen years!  What a rare treat!

The rotaries are nothing short of amazing in their ability to remove snow and watching them in operation as they throw snow high into the air is a joy to behold.  We see them in this video clearing snow that appears to be all the way up to the cab.

We are taken inside the cab to ride along with the crew and we are also shown spectacular scenes from outside the rotary as it eats its way through the deep snow.  There are some great night scenes.

You simply cannot go wrong by adding this one to your collection.   This is probably going to be the video that I share with you guys the next time I am scheduled for entertainment but don’t wait for that; get one ordered for yourself.   I promise you, you will watch it over and over again.

 

Louisville bound Q207

August 23, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Bill Grady, Photo Section
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This was shot in Covington (KY) from a former overpass that is now a small park.  The train is Louisville bound Q207 with the CSX 5500 as the “one unit wonder”  5500 is known as the “Spirit of Cincinnati”.  A nice catch for being in Cincinnati on a weekend full of rail-fan photographers during the annual Summerail. Photography by Bill Grady

August 2012 Ricky’s Replies

August 23, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Rick Bivins, Ricky's Replies

by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

Hello again NRHS Members, August thus far has yet to follow up July’s heat record. For me that is a good thing. But none the less, August has been a good month for the Western Kentucky Chapter. Madisonville held the last Friday Night Live street fair for the 2012 season and it was a roaring success. Cool temps, clear skies and people combined for a great evening. Dr. Bill Thomas outdid himself again with the Mobil Garden Railroad. Bill stepped up to the plate with a three tier Gauge One layout! Yes, three levels of trains were running all night much to the delight of children and adults as well. Thomas the Tank Engine is instantly recognized by everyone, The Egg Liner was a curiosity and the “old steam train” as I heard more than once was a hit. I was surprised to hear a little boy about 8 years old tell a parent about the “old steam train” and how he liked it best. Perhaps our hobby has a future after all!

As for old business, the trip to Progress Rail in Mayfield KY. is on hold pending a set date. Rich Hane will have a full report this month. The trip to Paducah and the NRHS Chapter Museum will coincide with the Mayfield trip. I will have more information concerning a possible display at the Parkway Plaza Mall during the Christmas Season. Wallace Henderson will update us on changes and effects of change as pertains to the National Organization. A National dues increase is on the horizon. Argh! But, it takes money to run a business or charity or a special interest group.

Kudos to Thomas Bryan. Thomas presented a program follow up to his presentation from last year’s visit to Rail Camp. We were treated to several photos and interesting insight to a rail scene few will ever have the privilege to see. Thomas held the audience for the better part of an hour with his photos and commentary. Several members were able to chime in and give info about various equipment in the shop area photos. It is easy to imagine the sights and sounds Steam Town has to offer not to mention the glory years when the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad ran their steam power through those very shops.

Gary Ostland….do you remember Gary? GOO as he is known on the internet is planning to show slides as my guest in November of this year. The date is not set. I will open the City Airport to rail fans for a slide show Gary says will be vintage shots from the Pacific Northwest. If you recall, Gary gave us a grand show of Milwaukee Road from the 1960’s earlier this year.

OK Members, get up and out on meeting night and attend. Bring a guest.

New Feature – Mystery Location – Where Are We?

August 23, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Chris Dees, Where are we?

Where are we? – Santa Fe and intermodal traffic has always been synonymous with one another. Here we observe two “blue bonnets” pulling in with a long string of tables for loading at this intermodal “lift” facility which served an “outback” location on the ATSF system in the 1980s. Today the yard exists to unload windmill components for one of the largest wind-farms in the country and is served by a member of one of the large shortline conglomerates.  Sub. by Chris Dees

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.
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.

 

The Steamy Northwest

July 23, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Chris Dees

Story and Photographs by Chris Dees

Mecklenburg Pommersche Schmall Spurbahn Railroad 0-4-0 provides the normal weekend power for the two-foot guage steam operations at Hesston Steam Museum. Seen here on June 30, 2012, the little steamer is ready to pull passengers on the two mile loop around the museum grounds.

The Great Northwest!!! Pine forests, mountain grades of four and five percent, logging railroads… that’s a reason for any railfan to pack for the weekend with the cameras, scanners, and favorite overalls. And if the trip would feature one of those fantastic Shay locomotives tackling steep grades – that would make this trip even better. Well, the weekend before Fourth of July was just such an event for myself – and it was a LOT closer than Oregon, Idaho, or even Washington. How about a 90-minute drive just north of Lafayette?

Whoa!!! What’s this regarding mountain grades and logging locomotives? Everyone knows that northern Indiana is nothing but flat fields of corn. Well the Hesston Steam Museum in Hesston, Indiana, allows even the hardest core steam fan to get his or her fix of that familiar smell of coal smoke. And with short (but steep) grades, the full-size and scale-size trains give passengers a way to experience mountain steam railroading in the Northwest Indiana county of Laporte.

Who’s your “chief” ? This guy is. One of the Hesston Steam Museum volunteers operates a matched Santa Fe A-B pair of F7’s on the museum’s 1/8 scale railroad, hauling kids and kids-at-heart on a mile long loop of track.
Who’s your “chief” ? This guy is. One of the Hesston Steam Museum volunteers operates a matched Santa Fe A-B pair of F7’s on the museum’s 1/8 scale railroad, hauling kids and kids-at-heart on a mile long loop of track.

The desire of a few local steam buffs to perpetuate the use of steam power necessitated the purchase of suitable land for an annual reunion in 1956. Twenty two acres was purchased and hundreds of thorn apple trees cleared. A dam was built in Mud Creek to form Duck Lake as a source of water for the engines. The group, then called La Porte County Threshermen, held their first show and reunion in 1957. Traction engines were the main feature and provided most of the power. A sawmill was added in 1959, the electric plant in 1961, and the Browning crane in 1962.

A beautiful 1/8 scale 4-4-0 American type gets a little attention during a station stop at Hesston Junction before departing with the next scheduled “advertised”. Although the full-scale Shay was in the shop on this day, this little 15-horsepower steam locomotive puts on quite a show for the crowd at the Hesston Steam Museum.
A beautiful 1/8 scale 4-4-0 American type gets a little attention during a station stop at Hesston Junction before departing with the next scheduled “advertised”. Although the full-scale Shay was in the shop on this day, this little 15-horsepower steam locomotive puts on quite a show for the crowd at the Hesston Steam Museum.

At the suggestion of Bruce Achor, a couple of members purchased a steam locomotive from Elliott Donnelley of Lake Forest, IL in 1964. With Donnelley’s generous financial assistance during 1965-1968, the remainder of the 155 acre site was purchased, and a unique dual gauge (24″/36″) railroad was constructed. The La Porte County Historical Steam Society was chartered  as a not-for-profit  organization on December 16, 1968, and the original La Porte County Threshermen club  was absorbed and dissolved. In 1969, IRS granted recognition as a 501(c)-3 not-for-profit corporation.

Hesston keeps the memory of narrow gauge steam railroads alive.  If you’re a steam fan or long to relive your days of youth at your favorite amusement park, you’ll love the sights, sounds and smells as you ride over hills, past lakes, and through farm fields on a two and a half mile journey back in time. You’ll love it!

 

 

Stewart Southern Railway Genset

July 23, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Jim Pearson, Photo Section

ssr

Thanks to Ricky Bivins phone call I was able to catch Stewart Southern Railway’s #1503 Genset in a northbound CSX feight consist at Hanson, Ky on CSX’s Henderson Subdivision July 5, 2012. Opened in August 2010, the Stewart Southern Short Line Inc. runs 132 kilometres from Stoughton, SK Canada northwest along highway #33 up to Richardson, SK, just south of Regina. The route has stops at Heward, Creelman, Fillmore, Osage, Tyvan, Francis, Sedley and Lajord and Kronau.  Companies and elevators as well as producers can take advantage of the access this line provides.  It also creates incentive for new business starts in communities along the line.– Photo by Jim Pearson

 

July 2012 Ricky’s Replies

July 23, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Rick Bivins, Ricky's Replies

by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

It is train time again everyone. The June 2012 meeting was one to remember. The business portion was short, the refreshments were tasty and a surprise was in store for all in attendance. As noted in the minutes, our very Thomas Bryan turned 19 on meeting night last month. He and everyone else were surprised with Cake and Ice Cream and the traditional Happy Birthday chorus. The cake and Ice cream was the best part though! As for the program, Steve Miller, whom also provided refreshments in addition to the unexpected birthday eats, provided the program. At first, Steve was to show the “Work’n on the Railroad” video, however, there were some protests to that so Steve decided to show a 60’s era video of trains in the mid-west area. Steve pre-staged the movie but when we tried to make a show of it, the movie went south and refused to play! So…Steve went back to work…on the railroad. The “Work’n on the Railroad” video was a good too as it turned out.

Friday Night Live, July 6th, 2012 was HOT, and I mean HOT. But, several members were on hand to man the event and all had a great time. Wally Watts and guests were entertaining fair goers from the start. Bill and Joe Thomas (Angela came by a bit latter), were hard at work on the Mobil Garden Railroad. Bill went above and beyond this time. The Two tier layout (one track ABOVE the other….bad pun), was a big, big hit with kids and adults. Oddly, the un-sceniced area of the layout was the kid’s favorite as it was under the top section. I guess kids like to look into the unknown. In this case the unknown was when will the train be back? We have one more night this year, August 10th. It would be great if many more members were to make the final call for Friday Night Live.

Wallace Henderson should have a presentation for us this month. Changes are ongoing in the National Organization. Most will not affect members but the officers will be changing how things are done in accordance with new rules and bylaws. Please take time to listen to what Wallace has to say. He has invested his time and money on our behalf. The very least we can do is “listen”!

Rich Hane will update us on the trip to Mayfield and Paducah. Thomas may have additional trips or information on the proposed trip to Evansville IN.

Is there something YOU, NRHS Member want to do? Make the arrangements and we will go!

As reported elsewhere herein, Keith Kittinger is recovering from surgery and is doing well. Jackie McCracken is recovering from her recent heart issue and is out and about. If you know of others in need of thoughts or prayer…let us know.

OK members, try to make the meeting. We need attendance numbers to rise.