Category: 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

Last year the NRHS adopted an electronic billing and renewal procedure. Needless to say, anytime you upset the apple cart, you get some bruised fruit. Our chapter asked me to serve as the “Electronic Contact” person and I gladly accepted. After getting some of the bugs worked out of the system, things seem to be going smoothly. I just wanted to make you aware of how it works.

I receive, via email, Microsoft Excel spread sheets monthly from NRHS which include separate sheets for renewals, new members, member status, and chapter officers. There are particular dates through the month on which I am to send the sheets back after I have updated them. Therefore, if you renewed late, you may have a temporary laps in mailings. For instance, those renewing in early March will not be updated until early April as I have to wait for the April spread sheets, which should be in around March 30.

The March spreadsheets were updated and emailed to NRHS on the 9th. Let me know of any issues with NRHS billing you may have. Wally and I work together to make sure records are as accurate as possible. Thanks! Bill Thomas

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.

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!

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