Category: Rick Bivins

By Ricky Bivins

Greetings Chapter Members, This is my first (and you may decide, last) attempt as Editor of the Chapter Newsletter. I am sure you noticed immediately I did not call it “Pennyrail”. The Pennyrail is the Chapter Publication and I have no intention (or ability) to uphold the standards Matt Gentry set forth.

This Newsletter will suffice as merely….news! Matt as we have learned (and I think anyone could imagine) is challenged by time, time needed to put together the outstanding publication for our Chapter as he has in the past. A new job, new employer and 2000+ mile relocation effort is certainly enough. Throw in learning a new environment (yeah, finding one’s way to Cajon Pass is a challenge…blah blah blah), Matt has a lot going on. So upon his behalf, I will give it a go…for now.

Led by CN #5527, 3 Canadian National covered wagons head north through Morton’s Gap on January 7, 2015. -Rick Bivins

CSX #5417 leads its train south, coming out of the Madisonville cut off at Morton’s Gap on a cold January day. – Rick Bivins

Submitted by Rick Bivins

…from Kentuckians for Better Transportation (KBT)

On October 9, GoRail and KBT, together with KBT Member R.J. Corman, participated in a “cracker barrel session” about the economic benefits of freight rail at the Kentucky League of Cities annual conference in Louisville at the Galt House Hotel and Convention Center.

More than 25 years ago, ground was broken on a 1,300-acre tract of farmland in Scott County. The spot is now home to KBT Member Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), Toyota’s largest manufacturing facility outside of Japan, with nearly 7,000 employees. The location of TMMK has helped shape Kentucky’s automotive industry landscape into the powerhouse that it is today. Scott County was chosen because of its access to freight rail. In addition, Toyota has about 100 automotive suppliers in Kentucky alone, which employ over 9,600 workers dedicated to producing parts for Toyota vehicles.

Toyota continues to expand this facility, creating even more new jobs in Kentucky. In 2013, TMMK announced a significant upgrade at the facility with plans to invest $530 million and create 750 new jobs. This is just one example how freight rail helps create jobs in Kentucky, a state that is fortunate to have 2,600 miles of freight rail lines moving everything from cars to coal.

America’s privately owned freight railroads have invested more than $550 billion of their own funds – not taxpayer dollars – back into the rail network since 1980, including $26 billion this year alone. These infusions of private capital have made the US rail system the safest, most productive and efficient freight rail network in the world.

GoRail helps spread the word about the importance of a strong and growing freight rail system to the broader economy and to businesses and communities large and small in Kentucky and nationwide.

With freight volumes continuing to rise as the economy picks up steam, rail will have an event larger role to play, including accommodating growth in Kentucky’s automotive industry, safely delivering energy supplies and continuing to support economic growth in the Commonwealth.

And welcome to November, 2014….traditionally our elections of officers month. Steve Miller kindly nominated Yours Truly for Chapter President, which caught me off guard. I accepted with reservations. I served as Chapter President for three years and enjoyed it very much. I was, however, relieved when Tom Johnson accepted the nomination last year. Not wanting to act in haste I as said, accepted. Now having had a few weeks to give it some thought, I withdraw my acceptance.

Last September, while enjoying the Chapter Pic-Nic in Crofton, I went to Bill Farrell with the idea that he accepts a nomination for Chapter President. He was very receptive to the idea and as I have learned, he has some great ideas. And I like change once in a while, thinking said change is productive.

So, I humbly ask the Chapter Membership accept my withdrawal from the Chapter Presidential Race! And, let us all grow our Chapter.
Rick Bivins

Tuscola Illinois circa 1986

I took delivery of a brand new Honda VF-500F Interceptor motorcycle in February of 1986. That machine and I were inseparable on weekends and days off for four years. One of my earliest trips on that bike was to Tuscola Illinois. Tuscola is located on the Illinois Central mainline 158 miles due south of Chicago Illinois. Also located at Tuscola was the Baltimore & Ohio line from Indianapolis to St Louis MO as well as the C&EI from south Chicago to Christian Illinois. Therefor Tuscola hosted three railroads of which the Illinois Central was double track. These three railroads crossed at grade requiring a tower. The ICRR ran north/south, the B&O ran east/west while the C&EI ran diagonally from north east to south west. Tuscola sported three railroads and five diamonds all controlled by TY Tower which was manned by the ICRR! Interestingly, the C&EI crossed the B&O on the east side of the ICRR then crossed the ICRR just south of the B&O’s crossing. Four of the diamonds were on the ICRR!

When I visited in 1986, there was evidence of a new track plant going in. A new bridge on the west side of the IC would carry the combined B&O/C&EI line across the ICRR where the two railroads (B&O & C&EI) would then split. The ICRR line would be reduced to a single track. Very quickly five diamonds were reduced to one! And that was a cue to de-commission TY Tower.

While trains were the focal point and the tower being a bonus, Tuscola was not as well known for its rail activity among rail fans as it was known for the tower operators. Tuscola had one of the meanest; most un-friendly (first shift) railroad employee’s imaginable. This guy was even documented in Trains Magazine! Also at TY Tower was Bob, the second shift operator. Bob was a great guy and let many railfans into the tower. As for the first shift operator…..well…..more than one visitor had a run in with him…. including yours truly!

On my first visit I approached the tower and the operator with respect and caution. I gave the operator a shout as to when a train would be coming by when he yelled quite bluntly…”I ain’t no (expletive) rail-fan”. His tone was so harsh and angered I simply turned and walked back to my motorcycle and watched from a distance. I was at a dis-advantage and felt no need to be confrontational.

Bob, the second shift operator was much more polite. I never made it into the tower which I regret. I learned later that Bob was much more hospitable and by the time I returned the show was over. Two things that are well known about the tower among fans, TY Tower was home to some very brave mice (rats) and never lean on the north window sill. One look (at that time) at the peeling paint and stains would cause one to question. Bob would say (…no bathroom up here so…..)!

I do not know when TY Tower closed. In May of 1994 the mechanical plant was dismantled and some of the machinery made to a local museum. The Illinois Central Railroad offered the tower to the city of Tuscola for one dollar! But the tower had to be moved. The city did not take the tower and it was demolished some time in 1994.

Tuscola is one of many places my motorcycle and I had rail encounters. While not the best train spot or busiest place or even what one would call a scenic place, Tuscola is a place of engrained rail-fan memories. TY Tower is certainly a “keeper” memory.