Category: Bill Thomas

A Ride on the Crescent

July 20, 2010 Jim Pearson No Comments Bill Thomas, Photo Section
While on vacation in early June, my three children and I took the opportunity to ride the Amtrak Crescent from Atlanta to Birmingham while my wife drove the minivan on the same route. It was my children’s first ride on a passenger train.This is a shot of the kids as we took time for some pop in the diner/lounge. Nice time and great service by Amtrak employees. - Photo by Bill Thomas
While on vacation in early June, my three children and I took the opportunity to ride the Amtrak Crescent from Atlanta to Birmingham while my wife drove the minivan on the same route. It was my children’s first ride on a passenger train.This is a shot of the kids as we took time for some pop in the diner/lounge. Nice time and great service by Amtrak employees. - Photo by Bill Thomas

Chasing down the Morganfield Branch

November 18, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Bill Thomas, Photo Section
Certainly not the greatest fall shot I’ve ever taken, but interesting enough to make me chase it down the Morganfield Branch to get a shot of it behind People Plus on 41A, just west of Madisonville. For quick shots in a pinch, the i-phone does ok. This is simply a front-end-loader with small rail wheels attached to the bucket’s bottom. The rear tires seemed to have no guidance devices other than possibly being a little under-inflated to keep them centered on the rails. Not sure. -Bill Thomas
Certainly not the greatest fall shot I’ve ever taken, but interesting enough to make me chase it down the Morganfield Branch to get a shot of it behind People Plus on 41A, just west of Madisonville. For quick shots in a pinch, the i-phone does ok. This is simply a front-end-loader with small rail wheels attached to the bucket’s bottom. The rear tires seemed to have no guidance devices other than possibly being a little under-inflated to keep them centered on the rails. Not sure. -Bill Thomas

Western Bluegrass Rail Terminal

July 22, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Bill Thomas

Spring Garden RR Gathering by Bill Thomas

May 28, 2009 Bill Thomas No Comments Bill Thomas
ET&WNC Ten-Wheeler, No. 12, makes the tight curve over Liam’s Creek, on Bill Thomas’ outdoor Hook Line & Singer Railway.
ET&WNC Ten-Wheeler, No. 12, makes the tight curve over Liam’s Creek, on Bill Thomas’ outdoor Hook Line & Singer Railway.

· Spring Garden RR Gathering will now be Saturday, June 13, 11 am to 4 pm, weather permitting. If weather is questionable, please check the chapter website blog for updates on cancelations and postponements. The Hook Line & Singer Railway is located at 1025 Lakewood Drive, Madisonville, KY. Light snacks will be served. Visiting Large Scale (45 mm gauge) equipment is welcomed and encouraged so bring your toys!

Keep it safe!

May 28, 2009 Jim Pearson No Comments Bill Thomas

Now that I have a teenager learning to drive, I am reminded that I must impress upon her the importance of carefully crossing railroad tracks, even in town, where trains travel relatively slow. Let’s all remember to be cautious at rail crossings. The damage can be great, even at a slow 35 mph. – Bill Thomas, Pennyrail Editor

Editor’s Ashpit by Bill Thomas

April 23, 2009 Bill Thomas No Comments Bill Thomas

Much conversation has ensued here in the little hamlet of Madisonville, KY, about the removal of the Earlington, former L&N, main line through downtown. I have a bias opinion – I admit it! But, as a fiscal and political conservative, I believe there could be many places stimulus and tax money could be spent to give our community a better return on its investment. No room for a numerated list here, but we all could come up with ideas.

In the Christmas-season movie It’s a Wonderful Life, by Frank Capra, James Stewart, who plays George Bailey, an ambitious young man trying his best to get out of the fictional small town in which he feels imprisoned, asks this question of his uncle Billy. “What are the three most exciting sounds in the world? Anchor chains, plane motors and train whistles!” he answers himself.

My office at First Baptist Church sits about 75 yards from the Earlington main. As CSX’s “Dark Future” towing machines drag train after train of containers, flats piled high with lumber from the Northwest, tanks of molten sulfur, boxcars of paper and automobile parts, and so many various other products, I am reminded that train horns (no whistles any more) represent a lot of positive things. For the local community, I would guess that CSX is paying some amount of property tax to towns and cities through which they pass. This would not only affect Madisonville, but Earlington. (these are assumptions—admittedly). Beyond the local impact is the region, state, and nations on the North American continent, not to mention the global market for which the container traffic serves as a conduit. When tons of freight are moving through, it is a sign of some economic health, regardless of how bad things may seem.

To me, how sad it would be to no longer see these symbols of “transportational” vigor ply the north/south axis of our town. True, if the trains were moved to the cut-off, nothing would change any of this. But, I know how little boys (and their fathers) perk up at one of the most exciting sounds in the world. And let’s face it, the “Best town on earth” could use a little excitement every now and then. I think 30 to 40 shots a day is great.

How about a town sub-slogan, “We’re on Track!”? How about an annual festival, “Coal Days” featuring the coal and rail industry in Hopkins county? Just some thoughts.

-Bill Thomas, editor