Hello Rail Friends. September is upon us and is a time to reflect. We lost Dennis Carnal one year ago this month, Our Nation lost even more eleven years ago this month, we somewhat celebrate summer’s closure with the Labor Day Weekend and much more.
At this writing, September has been a good month for me. Several Chapter Members attended the Old Tyme Train Show in Evansville, IN on Saturday September 15th. Wally Watts, Jim & Thomas Bryan, were in attendance as were other members and friends. Steve Miller and I made the trip, visited with event goers and had a good time. And yes I bought something; a Lionel Die cast Girder Bridge.
Afterwards Steve and I headed further North to Princeton IN and the CSX/NS diamond located within the city. We saw several trains of both railroads and a few Union Pacific re-route’s from/to New Orleans. Union Pacific has experienced several track issues among the Gulf States following the hurricane a few weeks ago. The Tropicana Juice train being one of the trains affected has been running CSX rails from New Orleans to Vincennes IN. From there it travels west via the old B&O RR to St. Louis and then to California on home rails. I have seen it several times….what a sight. Also sighted in Princeton and not normally seen in Morton’s Gap KY. were solid auto rack trains. One such train on CSX was south bound with a load of Dodge Ram trucks…hummmm….do you think the trucks snubbed the Toyota plant at Princeton as the went past?
Our program presenter and guest for last month was David Hayes of Owensboro. David gave a delightful presentation on the Florida East Coast RR’s Key West Extension. FEC is a survivor railroad, surviving merger mania, hurricanes and politics while serving a rather small region in only one state! Bravo David and many thanks.
Our trip to Mayfield and Paducah are still in the works….many I’s must be dotted and T’s crossed before we have a firm date. Kudos to Rich Hane and Chuck Henrichs for their hard word. Once a date and time are settled upon, I am sure we will not be disappointed.
After talking with the officers of our Chapter, we have concluded an active display in the Parkway Plaza Mall for the Christmas Season would stretch our volunteer resources too far. However, if a Mall Display Cabinet is still available, we may consider a static display. Along those same lines, The City of Guthrie KY. may have a transportation museum in the works or so we have heard. If so and should we be called upon, a museum is a great place to set up a display of some sort. We currently have one in Hopkinsville KY and Nortonville KY. I would welcome any input from the Chapter on this subject.
Coming up next month on October 6, 2012 will be the annual Crofton Picnic hosted by our Hopkinsville KY. Members. This is always a great time and CSX provides one source of entertainment. Come if you can and I ask that we do not park on the grass. There is or was a sign near the pavilion requesting just that. Crofton has a very nice Veteran’s Park that is well maintained and has (for us) the perfect location! Please show some respect and abide by their rules.
As Wally notes in the minutes, Jim & Thomas Bryan will provide refreshments in the form of their annual fish fry. Jim & Thomas are avid anglers and we certainly profit from their efforts. Dr. Bill Thomas will have the program which at last contact with Bill may be a guest but that is still in the works.
SO…Members…make your way to Madisonville KY. Monday September 24, 2012 for what promises to be an enjoyable night of food and railroad camaraderie. And bring a guest.