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: div8trainshow@gmail.com

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 grolih@hotmail.com

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.