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JUNE 2018 BLUEGRASS RAILROADER PAGE 1
BLUEGRASS RAILROADER
June 2018
46 Years of Railroad Fun Bluegrass Railroad Club Inc. P.O. Box 1352, Lexington, KY 40588
Web Address: bgrrc.org
Volume 46 Issue #06
Editors: Wes Ross
Richard Rink
TRAIN ORDER: #46-06
DATE: JUNE 8, 2018
ORDERS:
MAY MEETING — ALL MEMBERS AND
GUESTS ARE TO REPORT TO THE
FELLOWSHIP ROOM AT HILL’N’DALE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 371 HILL’N’DALE
ROAD, LEXINGTON KY, 7:30 PM ON
FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 8 FOR A
SHORT BUSINESS MEETING FOLLOWED
BY OUR MONTHLY PROGRAM, GIVEN BY
DAVID PAYNE ON THE HISTORY OF
TRAIN BRAKES.
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:
Jerry Goerz
BLUEGRASS RAILROAD CLUB
2018 - 2019 BOARD MEMBERS
President Jerry Goerz 859-277-6863
Vice President David Payne 859-367-5701
Treasurer Shelby Jett 859-396-1194
Secretary: Wes Ross 859-293-0807
Past President Joshua Johnson 859-539-8211
Kelly Chapman (2019) 859-753-5590
Larry Smith (2019) 502-839-8627
Ed Sims (2020) 859-276-3533
Rodney Crick (2020) 859-887-3881
Randell Ioder (2021) 859-255-3127
Larry Mitchell (2021) 859-358-2002
Irvine, KY – May 19, 2018 – The
Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp.
(KSHC), a not-for-profit rail
preservation group, announced the
intent to purchase nearly 50 acres of
former rail yard property from CSX
Transportation to establish a rail-
based tourist and community
development center. KSHC plans to
establish a multi-use facility on the
site of CSX’s retired Ravenna Car
Shop, creating an immersive, hands-
on experience for tourists and
tradespeople alike.
The historic yard office building,
track, and a modern-era railcar
facility will be included in the
transaction, and will be used to
showcase the rehabilitation and
operation of world-renown steam
locomotive Chesapeake and Ohio
2716 and other regionally-relevant
equipment. The purchase of the
property and facilities is the first of
many steps on the path to achieve
KSHC’s vision for the Kentucky
Rail Heritage Center.
“The model for this campus is
not that of a traditional museum”
said Chris Campbell, president of the
Lexington (KY)-based charity. “The
Kentucky Rail Heritage Center will
be a destination where people can
experience the operation of historic
rail equipment, take their dog for a
walk, and get a bite to eat at a local
restaurant, all on the same visit,” he
added. “We can’t thank CSX enough
for providing the opportunity to
creatively infuse the local and
regional economy.”
Continued on Page 2
LOOKING FOR HISTORY BOOKS
W hen a railfan talks about the
history of train brakes, he or
she might immediately speak of what
we know today as air brakes and are
not sure whatever came before. One
book covering the history of railroad
freight cars is John H. White, Jr’s
“From Wood-Car Era to the Coming
of Steel: The American Railroad
Freight Car.” White reviews many
types of train brakes that include air,
buffer (or momentum), chain,
compression, continuous, double-
acting, electric or electro pneumatic,
manual (or hand) and vacuum.
White worked at the Smithsonian
Institute offering him access to
resources dealing with history of
railroad technology; authoring eight
books and more than one hundred
articles on American railroad
technology. A second outstanding
book by White is “The American
Railroad Passenger Car.” It’s been
published softbound in two parts and
hard bound as a single book. It
reviews some of the same technology
as his freight car book.
While no longer in print, both
books are available through Amazon
byway of links to used book sellers.
While your editor bought both as
used books, on arrival they appeared
new. Be careful on handling the
freight car book. It’s hardbound and
weighs 8 ½ lbs.
NOTE Because of the swap meet held at
the May General Meeting there is
no minutes. With the board
cancelling its meeting for May 28,
there is no board minutes.
KENTUCKY STEAM HERITAGE CORP PARTNER WITH CSX
CREATING KENTUCKY RAIL HERITAGE CENTER
JUNE 2018 BLUEGRASS RAILROADER PAGE 2
KSHC has worked closely with its
community, state and private partners over
the past several years to rally support for
this endeavor and to gain key proponents
in Washington, D.C.
“Today’s announcement is an
important step toward preserving the
unique culture of our Commonwealth,”
said Senator Mitch McConnell. “Together,
the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation,
CSX, local leaders, and state officials are
reviving this retired facility with
opportunity for a new generation. As
Kentuckians’ economic needs adapt and
change, it is incumbent upon each of us to
remember our rich history. Visitors to this
facility will have the chance to learn about
the vital rail lines that have helped
Kentucky fuel American prosperity for
generations.”
U.S. Congressman Andy Barr echoed
Sen. McConnell’s enthusiasm for the
project and its impact on Eastern
Kentucky.
“Ravenna’s railroad history is one to be
recognized and celebrated, as it brought
tremendous economic growth to Estill
County,” said Rep. Barr. “The Kentucky
Steam Heritage Corporation is doing just
that by developing the Kentucky Rail
Heritage Center. I applaud Kentucky
Steam Heritage Corporation for their
leadership in garnering community
support for these restoration efforts and I
appreciate their dedication to sharing the
rich industrial history of Ravenna with the
rest of the country and world.”
KSHC is partnering with Estill County
Schools to establish a technical skills
training component to the rail-themed
campus, which will enable vocational
students to practice modern trades on
historic equipment. The initial railroad
property purchase is the first milestone on
the road to revitalize Ravenna, a process
that will require continued support,
diligent fundraising, federal grants, and
more land transactions. This will allow
KSHC to fully realize its long-term vision
for the multi-use campus, which would
give the community a meeting and event
space, along with rail excursions that
attract visitors to the area.
"I definitely see many positives for
Estill County and the entire region. I look
forward to working together with
Kentucky Steam Heritage on innovative
educational opportunities for the good of
our students and the entire community."
said Jeff Saylor, superintendent of Estill
County Schools. Other community leaders
also echoed Saylor’s optimism.
"This is a breath of fresh air for Estill
County” said Joe Crawford, director of the
Estill Development Alliance. “This gives
us a great opportunity to work hand-in-
hand regionally with our cousins in nearby
Eastern Kentucky counties. The fact that
this project builds on our own history and
heritage to help us progress makes it all
that much sweeter. Economic
development, education, tourism
development, job creation, heritage
preservation - it's a win on every front. We
look forward to a long and successful
relationship with CSX and KSHC."
CSX has been working closely with
KSHC and community leaders for over a
year to help establish this unique
endeavor.
“This is a win-win transaction that
allows CSX to focus on our core business,
while bringing new economic
opportunities to Eastern Kentucky through
CSX’s retired Ravenna Car Shop,” said
Shantel Davis, vice president of real estate
and facilities for CSX. “It’s an honor to
work with organizations like KSHC to
make a positive, meaningful impact on the
community and to move our company
forward.”
KSHC anticipates taking possession of
the property in mid-summer 2018, and
will immediately begin work on the
project.
“Fundraising is our first and most
important aim,” said KSHC Vice President
Chad Harople. “Without significant
investment, this will take time to get
going. But, with proper funding, we
envision being up and running by late
2018.”
Harpole says that the group hopes to
raise $300,000 in the first three months of
the project, and $500,000 by years’ end.
Much of the work revolves around
improving rail infrastructure on the
grounds. Contributions also will provide
matches for federally-funded ARC grants
that the project has already applied for.
“It's an incredible opportunity to attract
federal grant dollars to Eastern Kentucky,
and it’s all because of CSX’s generosity to
get us in this position” Harpole added.
“This is just the beginning of what we
hope will be a long and fruitful
relationship with CSX.”
For more information, and to make a
tax-deductible donation call 833-597-8326
or visit them the web site at
www.kentuckysteam.org
Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, Chris Campbell President, along with Shantel Davis, CSX Corporation Vice
President Real Estate , Kevin Williams Estill County Judge Executive, and Andy Barr, Kentucky 6th District U.S.
Representative, announced the Kentucky Rail Heritage. CSX provided locomotive 3440 to serve as backdrop for the event.
Thanks to Scott Beckler for the information on the Rail Heritage Center and photos.
JUNE 2018 BLUEGRASS RAILROADER PAGE 3
SOUTHERN PACIFIC TANK TRAIN
or should the title be
SOUTHERN PACIFIC OIL CANS Story and Photos by Richard Rink
I n July 1991, my David and I attended
a Santa Fe Historical and Modeling
Society Meeting in Bakersfield CA.
In the afternoon of the last day of the
meeting, we decided to return to Tehacha-
pi Loop for some additional photos of
ATSF and SP trains. In 1991 the rail line
from Bakersfield to Mojave is owned by
Southern Pacific Railroad; Santa Fe hav-
ing trackage rights from Mojave to Bak-
ersfield. As for the weather, clear with
blue skies, fresh air – great for taking col-
or photos.
At the meeting, we had attended a session
on Southern Pacific’s Unit Tank Trains,
shipping oil from Saco CA, north side of
Bakersfield, to refineries in the City of
Carson – north of Long Beach, this type of
rail service beginning in 1983 for Shell
Oil. While not knowing the exact schedule
for SP’s Unit Tank Trains, more often
referred to as “Oil Cans”, we decided to
drive east from Bakersfield along Edison
Highway to Bena Road following South-
ern Pacific’s main line tracks into the
Tehachapi Mountains.
This section of Kern County road parallels
the SP’s tracks making it easy to get ahead
of eastbound trains for taking snap shots at
different rail locations such as Ilmon, Ca-
liente, Bealville, El Rita, Woodford,
Walong (location of Tehachapi Loop), and
Summit (east side of the City of Tehacha-
pi); all of these locations easily accessible
by automobile. To locate the roads where
we can photograph trains, we rely on
“Southern California Atlas & Gazetteer”
published by DeLorme. In 1991 Google
maps were only a dream.
To our surprise, we did catch an eastbound
tank train on Edison Highway; photo-
graphing it at several different locations.
Most SP Tank Trains are composed of 77
to 78 cars divided into six 13 car-sets.
Each car holds 23,150 gallons of oil, total
of 1,805,700 gallons. Weight of 78 Gen-
eral American Transportation (GATX)
tank cars is 10,334 tons; each car holding
heavy crude heated to 140 degrees Fahren-
heit. Heating the oil makes it flow smooth-
ly for loading and unloading. In 1991,
locomotives assigned to SP’s tank trains
are reliable EMDs SD40T’s and SD45T’s,
referred to as tunnel units. For the train
that I photographed there are four units on
the front with five in the middle. From
reference sources, total motive power for
the tank train we witnessed is approxi-
mately 29,600 hp.
What about oil sloshing in tank cars?
These particular cars are interconnected
having flexible hoses, isolation valves and
vent lines, allowing as few as two people
to load from one end an entire train
through a single connection. Loading time
is approximately six hours.
Grades through the Tehachapi Mountains
range from 1.8 to 2 percent reducing speed
to 15 mph. Between Summit and Mojave
downgrades reach a maximum of 2 ½ per
cent. Dynamic breaking becomes the rule
for slowing eastbound tank trains. Speed
along the desert between Mojave and
Palmdale is kept at 45 mph. In the City of
Sylmar, located in the San Fernando Val-
ley, helpers are removed returning to Bak-
ersfield or other places as needed. Approx-
imate time for Tank Train to travel from
Bakersfield to Delores Yard in City of
Carson is about 8 ¼ hours.
By 1994 a pipeline would be completed
between Bakersfield and Mojave ending
the need for SP’s Unit Tank Trains. Sever-
al photos that I snapped are between the
locations Ilmon (Bena) and Summit.
What follows are several photos converted
into JPEG files from 35mm slides. It’s a
pleasure to share these photos with mem-
bers of BGRRC.
Location is where Bena
Road turns away from SP
tracks. This location has a
small bluff providing an
evaluated view of our
eastbound SP Tank
Train. Power at the head
end is a GP60 followed by
a SD40T-2, SD45T-2 and
SD45-2.
What is the difference
between a tunnel and non
-tunnel unit? For a non-
tunnel unit, radiator
intake and radiator fan
grill are both located at
the top of the locomotive.
Tunnel unit has the
radiator air intake along
the deck allowing cooler
and cleaner air to enter.
By the way, this is
semiarid land used as
grassing land for cattle.
JUNE 2018 BLUEGRASS RAILROADER PAGE 4
Place is the Bealville Road
crossing. This location has
ample parking as well as an
excellent location for
photographing east and
westbound trains.
Five mid train helpers, all
tunnel units, add to the
excitement of snapping this
photo. This photo is not
only railroading at its best,
a part of railroad history
that ended in 1994.
Location is Woodford
directly off of Woodford-
Tehachapi Road. In my
collection of photos this is
one of my favorites. This is
an easy place to access as
well as a convenient spot to
photograph both east and
westbound trains.
JUNE 2018 BLUEGRASS RAILROADER PAGE 5
At the Tehachapi Loop
our tank train passes over
the lower tunnel as it
climbs in elevation
through the loop. From
here the engineer and
conductor can get a good
inspection of their train.
Our eastbound tank train enters the lower tunnel at Walong, location
of the spiral loop often referred to as Tehachapi Loop. Our tank train
will still be climbing in elevation after passing through this spiral
loop.
These two guys, the only passengers that I
saw, may have an IQ problem. Riding this
train through seven tunnels between Bena
and Walong is dangerous given the heat,
gaseous black fumes polluting the air, heavy
smoke that temporally blinds one’s vision,
discharged by the locomotives.
JUNE 2018 BLUEGRASS RAILROADER PAGE 6
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
BGRRC JULY GENERAL MEETING,
Friday July 13 at 7:30 PM, Fellowship
Room, Hill’n’Dale Christian Church. Tenta-
tive scheduled for the June Board Meeting is
set for 7:30 PM, Monday June 25, Confer-
ence Room, Hill’n’Dale Christian Church.
LOUISVILLE– KY - Nov. 17 Division 8,
MCR, Train Show & Sale, Moose Lodge 5,
4615 Fegenbush Ln. Time: 10-3, Admission:
$ 6, Children 12 and under FREE. Boy
Scouts in uniform FREE. Dealer tables $30.
THIS IS 28TH YEAR! Model Trains in all
scales operating layouts and displays, retail
sale, hourly door prizes, test track available,
ATM machine on site, great food & beverag-
es, free parking. Something for the entire
family! Website: www.div8-mcr-nmra.org
Dealer Tables: Mark Hedge (812) 288-8037
or email: [email protected]
MARION OHIO -SUMMERAIL 2018
August 11, Location 276 W. Center St. Rail-
road Show & Safe 10-5; Presentations 1-10
pm. Join us at the historic Palace Theater
(info at www.marionpalace.org) to escape
the summer heat and enjoy a day of high
quality railroad photography. Multimedia
digital presentations, all set to music and/or
narration. Noon - 1 pm the Wurlitzer Thea-
tre Organ will be played in theater. 5-7 pm
Skyline Chili available at Marion Depot for
$12 a ticket. Sponsored by White River Pro-
ductions, publisher of magazines and books,
info at www.summerail.com TICKETS are
$25 to the Summerail multi-media shows -
includes admission to the train show & sale.
Admission to train show & sale is ONLY $5
at the door. DEALER inquiries contact
Gary Rolih at [email protected]
We are at Summit, northeast end of
the City of Tehachapi, our tank train
having reached the highest point
between Mojave and Bakersfield. Our
tank train has climbed from an
elevation 404 feet at Bakersfield to
4,039 feet at Summit. At this point our
engineer has already applied dynamic
breaking as the tank cars are now
pushing the lead locomotives from
behind.