Author: Jim Pearson

Armstrong Coal Gives Boost to Ohio County, Kentucky

September 20, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments Pennyrail Stories

PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION FROM THE KENTUCKY COAL ASSOCIATION

A coal company in Ohio County is now open for business, again. Friday 14 News got a rare look inside a working coal mine. Ohio County leaders celebrated the start of mining for Armstrong Coal in what some say is a silver lining in hard economic times. Jobs are coming in, as tons of coal is going out. Kenny Allen, the Vice President of Operations for Armstrong Coal said, “This facility is going to provide a good living for a lot of families here in our community. We’re proud of that.” That couldn’t make county leaders more excited. “This is going to mean so much to the budget of Ohio County , whenever they start really processing the coal and we start getting some of this return back as coal severance dollars. We’re going to be able to do things that we’ve never been able to do here in Ohio County ,” said  Ohio County Judge Executive David Jones.

Armstrong Coal has over 250 employees already with more to come. The company hopes to have as many as 900. With over 50 percent of the electricity in the United States generated by coal, Hord Armstrong is banking on business to be good. “I think we will be part of an increased Renaissance in the production of coal and ultimately there will be a day when coal produces natural gas and liquid fuels as well,” said Armstrong. With gas prices hovering around $4 a gallon and America ‘s dependence on oil a daily debate, look no further than Kentucky .

“We’re a energy based economy,” Allen said. “We have enough coal to run this country 300 years. We can become much more energy independent if we take care of all this coal, here at home.”

Responses to the Abandonment of I.C. Fugate Spur in Madisonville

September 20, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments General Post

I was reading with much interest the pulling up of the tracks to Fugate Lumber and then you asked for some feedback with those with some experience with it.  Believe it or not I do have a vivid memory of it in the following paragraph.

In the mid to early 70’s, my Aunt Betty lived on a street that dead ended at the beginning of the “yard”.  She lived in a duplex just up the hill on the left.  My sister and I would spend a week or 2 in the summer with her there.  She would allow me to walk down to the end and watch the switcher work the yard with the freight house.

The crew was friendly, but I was to young to be up in the cab.  It seems that they would start switching about 4:00 in the afternoon, break for dinner, and begin again into the night.  Every time the engine came past, the engineer would wave every time.

Once, when my parents went for a visit,  I remember the engineer telling me that “they were going to dinner and that I should go get something to eat too.  But, when you hear us going again, come on back to the end of the street to watch!”

I also remember the front of the Freight House from U.S. 41 when we were in town. My Aunt Betty Wilson still lives in Madisonville and resides with my cousin, Juliana Pearson. -Bill Grady, Louisville, KY

(I.C.) Crews referred to the spur as the “Freight House Lead” or “Madisonville Freight House Lead”. Dad recalled a Pennsylvania 80+ foot auto boxcar being set out at the freight house for delivery of an American LaFrance Fire Truck, the second fire truck inside went on to some place in Mississippi.

One bitter cold February, while switching the freight house, four boxcars became derailed due to the build up of ice and snow. When things came to a stop, the lead car was its own width away from the rails. After looking the situation over, the crew decided that just maybe the ground might be frozen enough for the engine to slowly pull them back on the newly cut flangeways in the hope that they might re-rail themselves—Yes, it worked!

Illinois Central Business Car #1 (President Wayne A. Johnston’s Private Car) has been at the freight house many times during the Coal Field Festivals. On one occasion the car was picked up by a switching crew at West Yard at 1:00 a.m.. On that particular day, Wayne A. rode into town, not in his private car, but in the cab of the engine that was delivering his car to the freight house. On a side note, president Johnston was know to be approachable to the rank and file, but could be hell on his own subordinates. He knew that if there was a problem, a working man more than likely couldn’t hesitate to tell him about it.

In the late 1970s, my parents were remodeling their home in Bremen, KY. New Floors, walls, ceilings and trim were planned. My dad had known the Fugate’s for many years, I think even prior to the lumber company being in business. During this time, dad was on the job that was switching Fugate Lumber regularly. Dad took the opportunity to purchase needed materials for his house at Fugates while on switching assignment there. Pappy ordered several sheets of plywood, a few pounds of nails, and six pre-hung door casements. After the order was tallied up, the clerk asked my dad to bring his truck around back to load it up. The clerk was then stunned to learn that no truck was involved, but, “If you would please load it up on the I.C.G. 199696 parked out on the edge of the property?” Delivery by caboose is not as rare as you might think. As I can recall instances of feed, seed, car parts, farm implements, and yes, 40 piglets to McCracken Co., and lastly, just about every Christmas tree in several homes in December. – Tony Clark, Greenville, KY

September 2008 Photo Section

September 20, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments Photo Section
Radio chatter from this business train indicated it came South from Chicago. After arriving at CSX Howell Yard in Evansville, IN, crossed the Ohio River and followed the Texas line towards Louisville. First three cars behind engine are in an IC paint scheme, while remaining ten are BNSF. Image copyright Tom Barrows
Radio chatter from this business train indicated it came South from Chicago. After arriving at CSX Howell Yard in Evansville, IN, crossed the Ohio River and followed the Texas line towards Louisville. First three cars behind engine are in an IC paint scheme, while remaining ten are BNSF. Image copyright Tom Barrows
Pam Clemmer, sister of Bill Thomas, editor, got this shot at the Cass Scenic RR. in July, 2008.
Pam Clemmer, sister of Bill Thomas, editor, got this shot at the Cass Scenic RR. in July, 2008.
Andrew Futrell sent this photo of the CN (former IC) trackage just north of New Orleans, following its beating by hurricane Gustav. Hard to believe I just traveled this route at 60 mph in June.
Andrew Futrell sent this photo of the CN (former IC) trackage just north of New Orleans, following its beating by hurricane Gustav. Hard to believe I just traveled this route at 60 mph in June.
Andrew Futrell with CN sent these photos of Gustav’s toll on the CN/ IC trackage north of New Orleans.
Andrew Futrell with CN sent these photos of Gustav’s toll on the CN/ IC trackage north of New Orleans.

Indiana History Train

September 20, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments General Post

historytrainDon’t miss the train! The Indiana History Train visits Sullivan, Bargersville, New Castle and Evansville in October. This fall, hop aboard the History Train and get a hands-on, close-up look at Hoosiers whose lives were touched by the Civil War.

Three 65-foot refurbished freight cars will roll into four Indiana communities with a unique traveling exhibition, Faces of the Civil War, which explores Indiana and the Civil War. Hands-on activities and a Civil War-era actor/interpreter help visitors learn more about Indiana life during that era. Enjoy the film Well Done, Indiana and purchase Civil War-related items at the depot gift shop.

The Indiana History Train is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule group visits call (800) 447-1830 or email welcome@indianahistory.org. The tour is free, but space is limited.

Schedule

  • Sullivan, IN, October 2-4
  • Bargersville, IN, October 9-11
  • New Castle, IN, October 16-18
  • Evansville, IN, October 23-25

The 2008 Indiana History Train is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and a gift from Lilly Endowment Inc. The History Train is a partnership between the Indiana Historical Society and The Indiana Rail Road Company and is sponsored by BKD, LLP.

You can read more details about the railroad related elements of the train by going to http://www.indianahistory.org.

September, 2008 Regional Rail Notes and Rumors

September 20, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments Regional Rail Notes

IOWA INTERSTATE TO OPERATE STEAM TRIPS FOR SARock Island, Ill. — On October 18-19, 2008 the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) will operate Railroad Development Corporation’s (RDC’s) 2 QJ-type steam locomotives on two days of special events to benefit The Salvation Army’s efforts to assist communities impacted by June flooding. A variety of rail-oriented events and rail excursions will be held, with the City of Rock Island, Illinois acting as host and coordinator of the event.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.rigov.org (click on “train tickets” under important links). Customers will first have to establish an account before tickets can be purchased. Tickets can also be purchased through Rock Island Parks and Recreation by calling 309.732.PARK (7275) or in person at 1320 24th
Street, Rock Island, Illinois from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.

Special hotel rates will be available as part of the excursions online at www.visitquadcities.com. Event day activities “Rail Ride for Flood Relief” event t-shirts will be sold for a $20 donation. A limited-edition shirt (100 maximum) is available for a $35 donation prior to the event and $40 on-site. The shirt will feature a
same-day photo of the record-setting steam-hauled tonnage pull from Iowa City to Rock Island that will start the event.

Excursion train might be derailed for good. The owner of the East Broad Top Railroad says this might be its last year. By BIL BOWDEN Daily Record/Sunday News Article Last Updated: 08/01/2008 09:53:22 AM EDT, For die-hard railroad fans, the East Broad Top Railroad is one of the few left regionally. York County’s two excursion trains have died, their whistles and chug-chugging silenced, at least for now.

But in Rockhill Furnace, about two hours’ drive west of York, the EBT still takes passengers back to the 1900s. If you want a ride on its five miles of track or to browse its historic industrial complex, you mightwant to hurry. EBT owner Joe Kovalchick hints this year might be the end of the (rail) road. The country’s oldest narrowgauge train, the EBT is running up against tougher environmental and safety requirements. Kovalchick says those regulations are making it difficult for the train to run – and impossible to profit from – and this year might be the last. But volunteer welders, carpenters, engineers and firemen say they’ve heard all that before. Lee Rainey, vice president of the Friends of the East Broad Top, acknowledges the uncertainty. “The East Broad Top has a great future, we’re just not sure exactly what that is yet. So our job is to help preserve this historic railroad so that we’re ready for that future when it comes.”

Evidently Jim Finley is at least a part time engineer for Fredonia Valley RR. FVRR 3145 just went by the Pidcock Road crossing at 8 tonight heading for the Princeton Yard. Couldn’t tell if engineer Jim Finley was at the controls or not. Plenty of empty gons in the yard here in Princeton for him to take back to the Fredonia quarry. Looked like about 18 loaded cars at least tagging along behind 3145. -Chuck Hinrichs

I’ve received word that another loop track, washer and prep machinery is in store for Warrior Coal on the west side of Madisonville, KY, in Hopkins County. After some comments from the CSX roadmaster in July, it seems that coal from Dotiki, in Webster County, will be belted to Warrior for prep and loading at the proposed new tipple. What this means for the Morganfield branch west of the Madisonville Industrial Park is uncertain at this time. If you have info from reliable sources, let me know. -Bill Thomas, editor

From our President

September 20, 2008 Jim Pearson No Comments Rich's Ramblings

Rich’s Ramblings
by Rich Hane

We had some good news about one of our oldest members, Ron Stubblefield. On Tuesday, September 9th, Ron came home from the hospital after a 14 day stay fighting a bout with pneumonia. He is still tired and sore and will be recovering for a number of weeks. We all wish him well and look forward to seeing him back at our meetings.

Speaking of meetings, our last program of recent slides taken in Indiana by Jim Pearson, Chuck Hinrichs, and Bob McCracken was great. They provided the slides and narration for their recent trip along with Chris Dees. It was very well done and the photography was great. I hope that all of you members have been enjoying the excellent Bulletins that have been coming regularly in the mail. They are coming close to getting back on schedule and the quality of the publications is outstanding.

As always, I look forward to seeing your smiling faces at the next meeting on September 22, at 7pm.