Author: Jim Pearson

July 2011 Pickin’ the Points

July 23, 2011 Jim Pearson No Comments Bill Thomas, Pickin' the points

I think it is great that Thomas Bryan was able to go to Rail Camp this year.  I also think it’s great that our Chapter helped with his expenses.  In a day and time when most kids are stuck to a video game of some sort, (my kids included) we still have a few who don’t mind getting their hands dirty.

This is why it is important to be part of something bigger that our local group.  There is no way we could have made an experience like Rail Camp a reality with our limited resources.  But, when we pool our efforts with other chapters, we can accomplish great things.

Due to my son Joe having surgery next Monday, I will not be here Monday night to hear Thomas tell about his experiences at Rail Camp.  I hope you will be unless providentially hindered.  We should be happy that a young person has shown the interest. – Bill Thomas

 

 

July 2011 Ricky’s Replies

July 23, 2011 Jim Pearson No Comments Rick Bivins, Ricky's Replies

As we come to the end of July, the 7th month of the year perhaps it is time to reflect on a few things. The second Friday Night Live is history. Wally Watts, Thomas Bryan, Steve Miller and I had an enjoyable time entertaining passing guests during the event. Next month will be the last one for the year. Perhaps a few more members could attend and talk with people as they take a look at the display. Next month’s Friday Night Live will be held on August 12th from 6:00PM to 10:00PM. The months of June/July were also months of hosting. Bill Thomas had us as guests at his home on June 16. This was covered in our last newsletter. Keith Kittinger hosted guests at his home on Thursday July 16. Keith has a nice start to his HO Scale model train layout in his work shop. With numerous coal trains and motive power his plans to operate trains prototypically will be very doable and enjoyable.

Our Chapter has taken the reins this year so to speak. We have been getting out and getting the word out about our Chapter. Results are slow but none the less, if we do nothing we can expect nothing in return. Speaking of returns, I still believe our Photo Archive is a very strong attribute that we are not taking advantage of. Steve Miller is working on the photo disk(s) he has of the Archive. Once he has them up and running we can decide how to use and benefit from the many photo’s stored, at this point in time, just out of reach. The Archive could be our “signature” contribution to maintaining rail related history.

With even more events coming up, the year is, and has been full of opportunities to promote our local rail history. The annual Crofton Picnic hosted by our Hopkinsville KY Members, The Clayton/Watts Open House, one more Friday Night Live and possibly other visits to members homes.

And of course, Christmas is less than six months away! That’s right, we need to look ahead for our December meeting and start the decision process as to what we would like to do for the meeting, program and dinner.

To recap, the Photo Archive needs to be discussed, the final Friday Night Live event as well as the up coming events just mentioned. Jump in here people, this is a group effort. So make an effort to attend the meeting and events. One never knows just who will show up or what will be discussed.

 

Help for Princeton, Ky

July 23, 2011 Jim Pearson No Comments General Post

Chuck Hinrichs passed this note from a friend on to me for publishing:

I was recently visiting the Railroad Museum in Princeton when the gentleman working there told me that they are in dire need of individuals to help keep the museum going. It appears that many of the guys who helped create it have passed on. They have a very nice little collection but are in desperate need for volunteers to help work there. If any of you are in or near the Princeton area, please consider working with them to keep the place alive. Otherwise I fear we’ll eventually see it shuttered and the collection will simply disappear into garages and basements.

 

Purdue operated the Schenectady

June 25, 2011 Jim Pearson No Comments Chris Dees, Photo Section

For many years Purdue operated the Schenectady No. 1 and No. 2, on a dynamometer in an engineering laboratory on the West Lafayette campus.  These were 4-4-0 type steam locomotives manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia. At the time, Purdue did not have a mascot. After much debate, it was decided to build a locomotive on an automobile chassis.   The choice allowed the mascot to build on Purdue’s engineering and railroading heritage, as well as represent the school’s nickname Boilermakers in a meaningful way. The Boilermaker nickname came about during the early years of Purdue football when rumors of the university enrolling burly boilermakers from the Monon Railroad shops in Lafayette as football players.  The current mascot, Boilermaker Special V, was introduced in 1993.  Submitted by Chris Dees.

 

Rules are Rules !

June 25, 2011 Jim Pearson No Comments Photo Section

The Good news:  It was a normal day in Sharon Springs , Kansas , when a Union Pacific crew boarded a loaded coal train for the long trek to Salina.

The Bad news:  Just a few miles into the trip a wheel bearing became overheated and melted, letting a metal support drop down and grind on the rail, creating white hot molten metal droppings spewing down to the rail.

The Good news: A very alert crew noticed smoke about halfway back in the train and immediately stopped the train in compliance with the rules.

The Bad news: The train stopped with the hot wheel over a wooden bridge with creosote ties and trusses.
The crew tried to explain to higher-ups but were instructed not to move the train!  They were instructed that the Rules prohibit moving the train when a part is defective!

REMEMBER, RULES ARE RULES! (Don’t ever let common sense get in the way of a good disaster!)

Pickin’ the Points

June 25, 2011 Jim Pearson No Comments Pickin' the points

Request for Information…

I’m interested in the operation of the former CSX lines east of Madisonville to serve the Paradise Steam Plant, any coal mines, etc. Mid 1980s to present day. What industries were served? Any photos of Midwest Coal Handling, the grain elevator south of Moorman (on the Green River), etc. would be appreciated.  Chris Dees.

Chad Cowan, friend of Chris Dees, from Owensboro, KY, is wanting to model the ICG line from Princeton north through Marion and Sturgis. He is looking for photos of the line, operations, depots, industries, etc.

Anyone with information and/or photographs about this area is asked to email Chad at   csquaredky@hotmail.com.

 

May 2011 chapter meeting

June 25, 2011 Jim Pearson No Comments Chapter News, Photo Section

Above and Below: The May chapter meeting at the old L&N Depot in Hopkinsville went well.  Some twenty folks were on hand and we stayed dry in the depot as a healthy thunder storm blew by.

William Turner, Stan White and Thomas Harper provided and excellent program on the life and times of the now defunct Cadiz RR.  William is the Christian County historian, Stan was the President of the Cadiz RR and Thomas is writing a book about the Cadiz RR and their detailed discussion was well received.

CSX cooperated with 4 trains rumbling past the depot.

 

Newly arrived US Rail GP40 # 400

June 25, 2011 Jim Pearson No Comments Chris Dees, Photo Section

Back In Black: Newly arrived US Rail GP40 # 400 rests just north of the Wabash River bridge after switching the Rail America (TP&W) interchange at Van Tower in Logansport, Indiana.  US Rail operates two former Winamac Southern (Pennsylvania RR) branches out of Logansport – one to Kokomo, the other to Flora.  Date: June 17, 2011.  Photographer: Chris Dees