The Pennyrail Online Edition

Caught a southbound manifest at Mortons Gap and a dogs breakfast lash-up at Atkinson Yard. No shots of the two trains that passed the depot during the meeting. (photos by Chuck Hinrichs

A train headed up by BNSF engine 5041 headed North through Madisonville’s West Yards and on Tuesday afternoon July 28, 2009 with 28 flat cars, each with two tanks. Car Trace on the P&L website lists the train as LCL328 leaving Paducah at 13:20 on the same date, but not much else. At West Yards it took a siding in order to pass the LGE Coal Drag that was waiting to depart also to the North. The overhead location was at the overpass on Grapevine Road in Madisonville looking North as the train heads away from Madisonville. (Photos by Jim Pearson)

M036, an SD40-2 with a 2478 number and a string off ratty looking gons is southbound at Mortons Gap. July 20, 2009. Photo by Chuck Hinrichs

2478 is not an SD40-2 it is an SD50-2.  This unit and many others are ex Conrial SD50s that have been derated to 3000 hp and re-numbered in the 2400 series.  Chuck Hinrichs

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF RAILFANS ONLY

• SummeRail at C.U.T. – Saturday, August 8, 2009 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Railroad Show and Sale in the Rotunda – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Cincinnati Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio.  http://cincinnatirrclub.org/summerail.htm.
• Crofton Picnic and Train Watching – West Kentucky Chapter of the NRHS – Saturday, October 3.

50-year-old train ride from Jasper to French Lick

Updated: Apr 07, 2008 1:34 PM CDT

Reporter: Jared Austin, Web Producer: Mike Mardis

It’s been over 50 years since passengers have ridden the train from Jasper to French Lick. This year you may be able to buy a ticket to make that trip.

The city of Jasper is putting the finishing touches on the first of three new train cars.  “It will be a fully functional car you get on board you will think you are almost home,” Raymie Eckerle, JAsper Street Commissioner, said.

The train car is lined with quarter saw oak, historic light fixtures, and an old style tin ceiling.

“One of the cleanest economic boost we can have for our community is tourism,” Jasper Mayor William Schmitt said, ”it is a good clean industry and in order to get people into your community you have got to have something to offer them.”

The train ride from the Jasper depot to the French Lick casinos will take just over an hour. That’s twice as long as in a car. So why would passengers choose a train ride instead.

“So many people say ’I have never really ridden on a train,’ and this will give them the opportunity to take a scenic train ride from Jasper, Indiana to French Lick where you will travel through the longest tunnel in the state of Indiana,” Schmitt said.

“I have driven to French Lick many times myself in cars,” Eckerle said, ”and this is going to be one the fantastic opportunities for people to see the country side in a nice easy setting.”

The rail line is complete from Huntingburg to Jasper, but still needs repairs. City officials hope to have all three cars and the tracks ready before the end of the year.  – submitted by Steve Miller

By Steve Barry, Railfan & Railroad

The hobby industry lost a true giant yesterday with the passing of Hal Carstens. Hal joined the staff of Railroad Model Craftsman in 1952, became editor in 1954 and president of the company in 1962.

Hal served as president of various organizations, including Hobbies Industries of America, the Model Railroad Industry Association, Friends of the New Jersey Railroad & Transportation Museum and the Train Collectors Association. He also served in various capacities with the Photographic Society of America, Hobby Industry Association and the Wagner College Board of Trustees.

It was his leadership of Carstens Publications where he will be missed the most. The business has always been more of a family, and Hal was our patriarch. I wouldn’t be able to thank him enough for the opportunities he has given me in the publishing business.

To say we’re going to miss Hal is obvious. But while we’ll miss him as our leader and boss, and miss him as one of the hobby industry’s premier promoters, we’ll miss him most as a friend.  -submitted by Chuck Hinrichs

This KCS unit leads CSX  Q514 through Princeton and St. James, IN, June 29, 2009.  Lee Gordon shot these photos which were then submitted by Bill Grady, Louisville.  Nice teamwork guys.