Author: Jim Pearson

From from our President: Rich’s January 2009 Ramblings

January 22, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Rich's Ramblings

By Rich Hane

I hope that everyone has survived the Holidays. We had a very nice time visiting the grandchildren and we were even able to get some rare mileage in that I am sure Wallace Henderson and Don Clayton do not have yet. Of course, they may not count urban light rail but the rails were 4 ft 8 ½ in. apart and standard gauge is standard gauge.  We rode the Phoenix (Arizona) Metro Light Rail system about 3 days after it opened in late December.  This system is about 20 miles long at this time and they hope to add to it in stages over time. The fare was $1.25 to anywhere within 2 hours and 1 detraining.  One can get an all day rail/bus pass for just $2.50. The firm that my daughter works for (Sundt Construction, Inc.) constructed it so it was a thrill for her. It was quiet, smooth, and fast. The railcars are in pairs and receive power from an overhead catenary system using pantographs.

I am sorry that the Christmas Party did not work out but the weather just did not cooperate.  Hopefully, we will have better luck this year.

Please remember to pay your dues to Wally Watts if you have not yet done so. This will make his job easier if he doesn’t have to remind you good folks.

I am looking forward to seeing all of your smiling faces at the next meeting at 7pm, Monday, January 26 at The Center in beautiful downtown Madisonville.

Coal Train Derailment at Madisonville, Ky

January 22, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Bill Thomas
CSX Derailment 1
CSX Derailment 1

CSX and R.J. Corman crews were busy just before Thanksgiving, November 25, 2008, after a loaded coal train derailed on the wye between the Earlington Main and Morganfield Branch, just behind Regional Medical Center in Madisonville, KY. Not sure of the number of cars on the ground – rumor had it at 10. Thank goodness for the 300mm lens. Photos by Bill Thomas.

CSX Derailment 2
CSX Derailment 2

As Seen on TV

January 22, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Regional Rail Notes

Hard to Believe!
– submitted by Jim Futrell

This is not a cropped photo.
This is not a cropped photo.

This is not a cropped photo.  It is a blower off a freight train that this guy found at a junk yard.  They did start the car with it on.  With one blip of the throttle lifted the left rear wheel a foot off the ground and blew both head gaskets.

Interesting factoid – February 4, 1936,  Vidette Messenger
From the ‘Round About section… – Submitted by Chuck Hinrichs

Approximately 7,000 tons of ice making up 275 carloads, has been harvested and shipped from Cedar Lake by the Monon Railroad company.  More than 100 men have been engaged on the project, cutting the ice which was fifteen to sixteen inches thick. It was reported work was handicapped by a lack of sufficient men.


The Today Show ran a short segment on the resurgence of model trains.

Click HERE to view the clip.

Act Now!! Murray Scholarship Deadline Set for March 2 –
– Submitted by John Licht, Western Bluegrass Terminal, LLC

The deadline will be March 2, 2009 for applications for the annual Susan C. Murray Memorial Women?s Scholarship. The four-year college scholarship is named after Mrs. Murray–an executive at Commonwealth Business Media who was instrumental in the creation and early success of the ASLRRA?s annual exhibition–who passed away in January 2003.

The ASLRRA scholarship is open to daughters and granddaughters of ASLRRA Railroad and Associate Members in good standing.  Past winners are: Amanda Dawn Simmons, granddaughter of Tommy Joe Alexander from Jefferson Warrior Railroad; Dina McKenney, daughter of Rob McKenney from the former Georgia & Florida RailNet; Kathryn Medlock, daughter of Mike Medlock from Klutts Equipment; Marion Joy, daughter of Christine Joy from Union Switch & Signal; Kristin Wegner, daughter of Mark Wegner from Twin Cities & Western Railroad.

Click  HERE for the application form. Please contact Kathy Keeney (kkeeney@cbizmedia.com) with any questions about the scholarship program.

Great Memories! by Bill Thomas

January 22, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Bill Thomas
memories1
The locomotive photo appeared in a past issue of Trains and caught Dennis Carnal’s eye, knowing I had a history in Chattanooga, my native city.

Undoubtedly, the hobby of rail preservation and/or model railroading gets much of its impetus from memories we have from childhood.  As a child, teenager, and young adult, I was fortunate to train-watch with my grandfather (Papaw), Burt Dean Rodgers, of Chattanooga, TN.

Mamaw and Papaw lived between Red Bank and North Chattanooga, in the White Oak community, just off Dayton Blvd/Hwy 27.  Papaw had been raised in Dayton and Soddy, TN, and was a Southern fan.  I remember his stories about watching trains break in two to tackle the hill at Soddy/Daisy.

My mother had lived through some of his “Sunday drives” which always ended up trackside.  Somewhere between the ages of 8 and 14, I remember him telling me some interesting history of the line which passed in front of their house in White Oak.  “This used to be a electric line with trolleys.” he said, describing the overhead wire and poles used.

Not sure about the trolleys – but, having done some research on the line, it is true that the Chattanooga Traction Company was electrified up until 1941, when the new owner, Southern Rwy, dieselized the branch.  The locomotive  photo appeared in a past issue of Trains and  caught Dennis Carnal’s eye, knowing I had a history in Chattanooga, my native city.

Much of the same line survives today under ownership of Norfolk Southern.  It’s a very cool thing to me and I realize it’s just another little branch to most.  But, I’ll always think of Papaw every time I see the picture.  Papaw, thanks for the memories!

The Rodgers in 1979
The Rodgers in 1979

Here’s a photo of the Rodgers in 1979, on their 50th wedding anniversary, 9 years before they passed away.

January 2009 Regional Rail Notes

January 22, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Regional Rail Notes

Photo from http://www.projectdepot.org
Photo from http://www.projectdepot.org

I am very excited to announce that shortly after seven Central Time tonight, the Mattoon (Illinois) City Council unanimously approved the following motion: Adopt Resolution 2009-2763: Approving the plans and specifications, and authorizing the call for bids for the restoration of the historic Illinois Central Depot.

With over seven years on this project already, I’ve learned that there are still plenty of challenges and disappointments ahead. However, the spending of the first dollar on actual restoration of the three story Illinois Central depot does finally seem to be within sight.


Thomas French

Project Depot Committee Mattoon, Illinois

http://www.projectdepot.org

– Submitted by Chuck Hinrichs

Timetable #110 For the Government of Railfans Only

January 22, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Timetable
  • Mid-Winter Garden RR Gathering at home of Bill and Angela Thomas, 1025 Lakewood Drive, Madisonville.  Saturday, February 7, 2009.   Bring your large-scale equipment.  Wired for DC, battery, or live steam.  Snacks provided.  Start at 2pm.  Questions, call 270.339.9482 or bill@fbcmadisonville.com
  • sHOw Modular Railroad Club Train Show, Bowling Green, KY – March 7, Bowling Green, KY L&N Depot, 10 am to 3 pm.

November 2008 President Rich’s Ramblings

November 19, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments Rich's Ramblings

From from our President

November 2008 Rich’s Ramblings

We have had a lot of fun activities this fall. Earlier, we had the annual picnic in Crofton, KY hosted by the bunch from Hopkinsville. Then, the train ride in Tennessee was enjoyed by many of us and the scenery was beautiful.  Thanks to Don Clayton for setting up the program and getting our tickets and organizing so well.  The food, sidewalk vendors, and the car show in Monterey made for a nice midday stop. On November 1st Don and Wally had their annual open house which provided some more good food and conversation with friends and of course the chance to see a world class model railroad.

This month is the election of Chapter officers.  It is not too late to throw your name in the hat if you would like to help and guide the Chapter. We have a great group and I always look forward to spending time in good conversation and enjoying the programs.

Speaking of programs, if someone has any ideas for a program at the Christmas Party on December 15 at Bart’s in beautiful downtown Madisonville, feel free to bring it up with one of the officers.  Usually we have a show and tell time or someone might relate an interesting train story or happening in the past.  We have had some entertaining slide programs, too. We will have an open area on the second floor at the front of the building so we will be by ourselves for the most part.

Having the Party on Monday evening should be good as Bart’s is usually fairly empty at that time and there should not be much of a problem from any smokers that may be there.  The ventilation is quite good at the front of the building.

I will be looking forward to seeing your happy faces at the next meeting on Monday, November 24, 2008, at 7pm at the Center and again at the Christmas Party on December 15th. There is no formal meeting in December.

Rich’s Ramblings

October 2008 Regional Rail-notes

November 19, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments General Post

A federal class-action lawsuit filed after a train derailment in Bullitt County in January 2007 has been settled for $3 million, according to court records. The Courier-Journal in Louisville reports that of the 17,000 people eligible for claims, none can receive more than $10,000.

The CSX train was carrying chemicals considered hazardous and some residents near the crash went to the hospital complaining of breathing problems. The fiery derailment sent a plume of smoke up over the site and CSX had to excavate contaminated soil from the site.

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Russell tentatively approved the settlement on Aug. 28. The newspaper reports that a Web site has been authorized by the court to detail the settlement.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs declined to comment on the settlement. – Submitted by Chuck Hinrichs

Jacksonville, Fla. – October 3, 2008 – CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) today announced that it achieved the best score among Class One freight railroads in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) 2008 Report and third best in the overall Transports and Logistics category.

CDP is a not-for-profit organization representing the interests of 385 mostly-institutional investors with more than $57 trillion in assets under management. CDP’s role is to, “act as an intermediary between shareholders and corporations on all climate change related issues, providing primary climate change data from the world’s largest corporations, to the global market place.”

CSX’s Climate Leadership Index score was compiled by aggregating its weighted answers in a CDP questionnaire split into four sections covering: risks and opportunities; emissions accounting; performance against targets; and governance.

“CSX is committed to providing a high level of transparency and disclosure to investors and other interested parties concerning the company’s long-term environmental strategy and climate related risks,” said Oscar Munoz, CSX Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “CSX provides the most environmentally friendly way to meet the nation’s demand for freight transportation and is committed to continuing to provide value for both our customers and shareholders while taking meaningful steps to address the important concerns of climate change.”

In Memorial of Nelma “Shine” Jean Kittinger and Ralph H. Jackson

November 19, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments General Post

Mrs. Nelma “Shine” Jean Kittinger, aunt of chapter member Keith Kittinger, passed away Saturday, October 11, 2008. Keith served as a pallbearer at the funeral held at Barnett-Strother, Thursday, October 16.

Ralph H. Jackson, charter member of the Owensboro Chapter NRHS, and cousin to West Kentucky Chapter member Charles Jackson of Hopkinsville, died Monday, October 20, at Owensboro Medical Health System. *Ralph’s father worked for the L&N as a freight agent in Earlington, KY. Charles was an L&N freight agent in Guthrie, KY. * addition to obituary by Dennis Carnal

Note: both entries taken from newspaper obituaries.

2008 West Kentucky Chapter Crofton, KY Picnic Report

November 19, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments General Post

by Dennis “Lefty” Carnal

On Saturday, October 4, 2008, between twenty five to thirty chapter members, family, and friends met at noon in the downtown Crofton Veterans Park. They were there for an afternoon of food, drinks, fellowship and to watch a few CSX trains pass by on the Henderson Subdivision.

Chapter members from thee states, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee, were on hand for the event. Steve Gentry from Lafayette, Indiana, won the award for the greatest distance traveled. Rex and Melanie Easterly drove from the Nashville area. Three members from the Evansville area made the trip; Birk Fischer, Matt Gentry, and David Millen.

Steve Gentry displayed a live steam model of a G gauge, 1/29th scale Nickel Plate Berkshire steam locomotive. Wally Watts had a display of his live steamers. Chuck Hinrichs had part two of his annual giveaways. Last year, Chuck had a large assortment of sweatshirts. This year, the give-away was caps. Let’s hope next year, Chuck doesn’t cleanout his underwear drawer!

Thanks from the Chapter to the Hopkinsville area members for providing the drinks and ice for the picnic. CSX operated six trains through Crofton between 12 noon and 4 pm that afternoon. One southbound manifest train, three northbound manifest trains and two northbound piggyback/stack trains: Q647, Q124, Q592, Q648, Q588, and Q120, in that order.

A total of fourteen CSX owned locomotives powered these six trains. Seven different locomotive models from two builders were seen. Four different models totaling eight locomotives: three SD40-2s, two SD50s, one SD60I, two SD70MACs from General Motors passed in review. Three different models from General Electric, three C40-8Ws, one AC44-CW, and two ES44-DCs rolled through Crofton as well.

Between trains, chapter members passed the time covering topics such as baseball, politics, railroading and the weather, plus, about any topic known to man. To say some of the conversations were lively would be an understatement! Man, those Chicago Cubs fans are a testy bunch. This writer would like to give Cubs fans everywhere my heartfelt condolences for enduring another bitter end to another season filled with so much hope for a World Series title. Talk about fan loyalty, Cubs fans must be the most loyal fans on Earth. In 2009, it will be 101 years since the loser Cubs have won a World Series title. Will the Cubs ever win another title? Ha!!!!

Here’s something to think about during the coming cold months: Why not support a winning team next Spring…. The St. Louis Cardinals? That’s a winner! The St Louis Cardinals Flying High in 2009!!!

See you at Spring Training 2009!!! Play ball!