Ringling Brothers Red and Blue units circus trains

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As most of you may have heard or read by now, after May both Ringling Brothers Red and Blue units circus trains will fade into what Willie Nelson sang about in his song "City of New Orleans". In it he said "This train got the disappearing railroad blues." and so will both Ringling Brothers circus trains have those disappearing blues. Having chased both trains since 1983 I would like to share some of my photos taken during that time frame. In 1996 I had the opportunity to photograph the circus train going west around Horseshoe Curve. The crowd of people waiting for the train on that day was huge. Passing by the Curve's viewing area people were photographing the train's passage and Ringling Brothers personnel were photographing the crowd from the vestibules. It was an amazing sight to witness that will no longer happen!

    After closing out NYC's Madison Square Garden, Ringling Brothers Red Unit would pass through Manville (NJ) on June 3, 1985 over what is now CSX's Trenton Line. As it passed by CP WESTON (MP 56), a CP that no longer exists, a member of the show waved from the vestibule to me as he passed by. Bringing up the rear markers on that day of this forty-three car train was a CR caboose! Like cabooses those friendly waves from the vestibules will soon be history. One can also speculate that come May both the Red and Blue units might be traveling over these same tracks to Florida for the very last time after closing out their final shows in Providence (RI) on May 7 and Uniondale (NY) on May 21, respectively.

    April 11, 2005 would find me once again track side in Stanton Station (NJ) along the Lehigh Line awaiting the Red Unit's passage. On this day the  fifty-six car train would be making the 339 mile trip from NYC to State College, PA. A grandfather was out taking a walk with his grandson when he inquired what I was waiting on. I told him Ringling Brothers Circus Train. When the train sounded its horn as it approached the grade crossing, both of them would watch the train's passage with much interest. It will be goodbye to spontaneous sights like that of people of all ages taking time to watch the circus train's passing. In closing I can say that it was a great ride while it lasted and certainly glad that there was enough patience along with perseverance on my part to capture these images.

 

 

CSX Customers Announce $9.5 Billion in 2016 Investments

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CSX Express

January 11, 2017

CSX Customers Announce $9.5 Billion in 2016 Investments JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – January 11, 2017 – CSX (Nasdaq: CSX) worked with its customers in 2016 to announce 114 new or expanded facilities to be located on the company’s rail network or connecting short lines. These new projects represent $9.5 billion in customer investments that are expected to generate approximately 8,100 new jobs in areas served by CSX. “The substantial capital investments announced by our customers last year included a new automotive plant and an ethane cracker facility to further leverage abundant domestic natural gas supplies,” said Derrick Smith, vice president-strategic business development. “We also saw strong activity that generated other energy projects as well as facility construction or expansion to support agriculture and intermodal markets. These projects rely heavily on the teamwork among CSX and the local, county and state economic development professionals who ensure these projects are completed successfully. We thank them for that collaboration.” Once these facilities are fully operational, they are projected to generate more than 136,000 new annual carloads for CSX. In addition to these projects that will be built over the next several years, more than 100 customer facilities on CSX began operations in 2016. Since 2000, CSX customers have invested more than $51 billion in rail-served facilities, creating more than 70,000 jobs at those plants, distribution centers and other enterprises across the company’s 23-state network. To support rail-oriented industrial development, CSX’s Select Site program pre-certifies properties that are suitable for manufacturing use. These sites meet rigorous criteria to increase development probability and reduce time and costs for CSX customers. Customers considering a new or expanded facility can learn more about CSX Select Sites at http://www.csxselectsite.com or at www.csxindustrialdevelopment.com. CSX provides service via an extensive network that connects to nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population and serves more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. CSX can move a ton of freight an average of nearly 450 miles on a single gallon of fuel, and one train can carry the equivalent load of 280 trucks, reducing carbon emissions and wear and tear on public roads. About CSX CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.  More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX). Contact: Gary Sease (904) 359-1719

GPCo Author Presentation TONIGHT!

GPCo author offers talk on railroad history! PRESENTATION TONIGHT! Railroad History, Presented by an Expert Railroads of the Catskills Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, 7PM - 9PM Morris Museum's Bickford Theatre Morristown, NJ GPCo vice president and author Richard J. King has long been a historian of railroads of the Catskill Mountain region of New York State, and has amassed a unique collection of images and stories dating back to the 1800s that he will be sharing during his presentation. Rail lines like the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, the Delaware & Northern Railroad, and the Catskill Mountain Railway criscrossed this treacherous, snowy, and mountainous landscape before roads had even reached many of the communities along the rails. The unique challenges faced by construction gangs and train crews to operate and maintain these lines will be explored in the photos and stories of the people who lived it. Attendance is free, and all are welcome! Shop Now The Garbely Publishing Company info@garbelypublishing.com | www.garbelypublishing.com

Norfolk Southern to hold fourth-quarter 2016 earnings conference call Jan. 25

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NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 3, 2017 – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) will announce its fourth-quarter financial results during a conference call and live Internet webcast at 8:45 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. Quarterly earnings results will be released at 8 a.m. EST on Jan. 25, and a press release will be posted at www.nscorp.com under the Investors section.

What:	Norfolk Southern Fourth-Quarter 2016 Earnings Conference Call
When:	Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at 8:45 a.m. EST
How to participate:	Teleconference: 877-869-3847 (please dial in several minutes prior to call start). Live webcast: Go to www.nscorp.com under the Investors section. Presentation materials will be posted at www.nscorp.com in the Investors section.
Audio Replay:	Following the live broadcast, an audio replay of the conference call will be available until Feb. 1, 2017, by dialing 877-660-6853 and access number 13651817. The replay also will be available as an MP3 downloadable podcast in the Investors section of the company's website.

For electronic notification of earnings events, subscribe to NSInvest, Norfolk Southern's email distribution list for news releases on earnings and issues pertaining to the financial performance of Norfolk Southern Corporation.

About Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

Media Inquiries:

Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)

Investor Inquiries:

Katie Cook, 757-629-2861 (katie.cook@nscorp.com)

http://www.norfolksouthern.com

Greetings! Wishing all our  Garden State Division Members and Friends A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Announcement The Garden State Division has a new presence on  Facebook with a new and improved page See :  https://www.facebook.com/nmragsd/ And like us to stay up to date on Division activities. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Looking to see great Model Train Layouts? This weekend, two of the clubs in the Garden State Division will be having open houses to celebrate the New Year.  Following is information that has been passed on to us about their shows.  Please show your support by visiting  these two great clubs.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   The New York Society of Model Engineers 341 Hoboken Road,  Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072 Less than 1/2 mile from MetLife Stadium January 7th. & 8th. 2017 Saturday & Sunday Afternoons 1:00 to 6:00PM Donation ask $7 for adults; $1 for children under 12.    Web Site: ModelEngineers.org A $1.00 off admission coupon is at the Society Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/modelengineers/ While there, like them to receive future event notices. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   The Garden State Model Railway Club 575 High Mountain Road  North Haledon, New Jersey 07508 January 2 & 3, 2016 Saturday & Sunday Afternoons 1:00 to 5:00PM Adults $6, Children under 12 FREE with Adult Web Site:  http://www.gsmrrclub.org/ Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/GSMRRClub    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Save the Date the  GSD Winter Meet  March 4th, 2017 9:00 am Start Location The Model Railroad Club  295 Jefferson Ave. Union, NJ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Like many of us, I have a shelf, NO!, it's a few shelves, and a few big Dell computer boxes full of unbuilt kits.  So, my New Year's resolution --  Take the first kit I lay hands on and build it, no matter what it is. Happy New Year, Andy Brusgard, e-mail clerk Garden State Division - National Model Railroad Assoc

Garden State Division National Model Railroad Assoc. http://www.nergsd.com  Contact@nergsd.com

The Republic, Ohio railroad disaster was 13 decades ago, on Wednesday. It was also exactly 100 years to the day before the tragic 1987 Chase, Maryland Conrail-Amtrak 'Gunpow' collision, with similar mortality (it is not known precisely how many died at Republic, due to intense fires in the wooden cars):

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  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_Maryland_train_collision

1987 Maryland train collision - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org The 1987 Maryland train collision occurred at 1:30 pm on January 4, 1987, on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor main line in the Chase community in eastern Baltimore County ...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/toledogazette.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/the-seneca-county-train-disaster-the-deadliest-in-northwest-ohio/amp/?client=ms-android-Verizon

The Seneca County Train Disaster, the Deadliest in Northwest Ohio www.google.com I love to ride trains. There is a feeling of romanticism that washes over me as the steel wheels roll and rumble on the rails beneath, taking you not just to a place, but  to a place in time.  Duri…

Trans-Siberian Railway: a view from Moscow to Vladivostok – a photo essay

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Trans-Siberian Railway: a view from Moscow to Vladivostok – a photo essay

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/ng-interactive/2016/dec/27/trans-siberian-railway-moscow-vladivostok-in-pictures

Ashtabula RR Bridge Tragedy: 140 years ago, on December 29th

December 29 will mark the 140th anniversary of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway's 1876 Ashtabula River Bridge collapse, known in some historical accounts as 'The Ashtabula Horror'. Nearly 100 people perished that frigid night, making it the highest-fatality railway accident in the country, a grim record that stood clear up into time of WWI. 

The story of the crushing destruction of a luxury passenger train and its ensuing consumption by fire revolves around the failure of the wrought iron bridge over the frozen river, which caused The Pacific Express and its wooden cars to plunge 70 feet into the gorge and onto the ice-covered stream during a raging blizzard...just a mere 100 yards from making a station stop at Ashtabula. Every metal bridge built anywhere, thereafter, and the science of Metallurgy, itself, would be forever influenced by lessons coming from the investigations and inquests following this northeast Ohio tragedy. A massive earthen fill and masonry arches now carry CSX Transportation's Boston - Chicago main line over the site.

I am not aware of any official memorial on Thursday to mark the occasion... 

   http://www.engineeringtragedy.com/blog1

     http://www.engineeringtragedy.com/?lightbox=image_az8

       http://www.engineeringtragedy.com/disaster-photos?lightbox=dataItem-ihmeh7cb

 

---Nate

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December 23, 2016

FIRST TRAIN RUNS THROUGH NEW VIRGINIA AVENUE TUNNEL CSX Double-Stack Clears Rail Corridors Between Mid-Atlantic Ports and Midwest Destinations WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 23, 2016 – CSX (Nasdaq: CSX) today announced the on-time completion of the first phase of the new Virginia Avenue Tunnel project in Washington, D.C., clearing the way for trains to transport double-stacked intermodal freight between Mid-Atlantic seaports and the Midwest on CSX’s railroad network. The Virginia Avenue Tunnel is the last of 61 clearance projects that comprise the $850 million National Gateway Initiative, an innovative public-private partnership announced in 2008 to create more-efficient pathways for rail freight between key U.S. markets through investment in critical transportation infrastructure. The first CSX freight train passed through the new southern tunnel of the two-tunnel project at 8 a.m. today, carrying double-stacked intermodal freight containers between Portsmouth, Va., and North Baltimore, Ohio. Work on the northern tunnel has already begun, and the entire project is expected to be completed on schedule in mid-2018. “Clearing the National Gateway for double-stack freight creates more efficient, more environmentally friendly routes to move the essential goods that fuel today’s economy,” said Michael J. Ward, CSX chairman and chief executive officer. “Thanks to the support of our federal and state partners over the past eight years and the commitment of CSX’s shareholders to invest in the company’s future, the double-stack-cleared National Gateway will allow CSX to better meet the needs of consumers and businesses throughout the eastern U.S. for decades to come.” When both tunnels are complete, the Virginia Avenue Tunnel project will relieve a significant Mid-Atlantic rail bottleneck that impacts freight and passenger service in the region as the growing volume of rail traffic has consumed the capacity of the existing infrastructure. In addition, truck traffic, carbon emissions and wear-and-tear on the region’s highways will be reduced as shippers take advantage of the more-efficient and environmentally friendly rail service made possible by the project. The project is replacing an existing tunnel, portions of which were first constructed in 1870, that does not provide sufficient vertical clearance for double-stack intermodal containers and is not wide enough to allow a two-track rail configuration. Nationally, the award-winning National Gateway Initiative is expected to create more than 50,000 jobs and deliver a host of benefits including reduced fuel consumption, lower emissions, improved safety, lower highway maintenance costs and reduced shipping costs. The project is expected to deliver more than $10 billion in public benefits in its first 30 years of operations – a return of $36 in public benefits for every $1 of public money invested. The National Gateway Initiative has been supported by the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as a diverse group of 336 public and private-sector organizations and individuals, including Big Lots!, UPS and The Limited. On December 15, Maryland submitted an application for a U.S. Department of Transportation FASTLANE grant to double-stack clear the Howard Street Tunnel and ten highway/rail crossings in Baltimore, which would remove the final impediments to a fully double-stack cleared rail corridor between Florida and New York. The Howard Street Tunnel project, if funded, will generate competitive advantages for the Port of Baltimore, remove additional trucks from the nation’s highways and create more than $640 million in benefits to 25 eastern states. CSX has committed to contribute $145 million of the funding required to complete the project.  About CSX CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.  More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX). Contact:  Rob Doolittle  (202) 626-4939

Along the Anthracite Road

Well, its been a while since we did the "blog" thing.  Finding time lately to do anything is at a premium as I've been working on the railroad to get some of our cars out of storage and productive again.  Of course, as we all know, railroad traffic is down, coal is almost non-existent compared to years ago, thanks to Washington policies.  Like the railroads, coal made the country what it is today and I predict, will make a return in a big way, to keep the lights on tomorrow.  Do we need solar and wind and natural gas and all those other things...of course, but coal will make us energy independent for the next 100 years and energy independence can go a long way in today's world.  Now back to railroading.

As I said, I have been trying to get about 800 rail cars back into service and they require a complete inspection and while I was inspecting the side bearings on a particular car I saw a shadow across my face.  Now there are lots of hazards inspecting cars, climbing, footing and just the fact that they are heavy but this is a hazard I hope to never encounter again.

Meet my new best friend...Joe NoShoulders.  He missed my by the hair on my beard and was coiling back up to give me a little peck on the cheek.  Who said railroading is fun...
    

Throughout the month though, my encounters on old railroad rights of way were all pleasant, following the tracks of the former Lehigh Valley Railroad from Sayre to Pittston.  Amazingly, the station at Sayre is still magnificent and it is worth stopping when the museum is open.  Imagine, a building that is 125 years old (this year) still stands and has borne witness to progress in 3 centuries...Truly amazing and these structures, you must remember, were akin to to the airline terminals of today, moving people and passengers over increasingly greater distances.  Further down the line though the structures are remnants of their former selves.

Of course, anthracite hasn't disappeared all together and is a major part of clean coal technology.  You can still buy anthracite coal in 40 lb bags in coal country and most people burn it in a well ventilated fireplace but be careful of the grates as anthracite is still a very high BTU value fuel, with an 80+ carbon content.  America's largest anthracite carrier today is the Reading & Northern Railroad, whose track occupies a lot of former anthracite carriers in eastern Pennsylvania.  Love the Johnny Cash Black.

Well, this is almost the of the line for today's blog.  I will make the commitment of producing one at least every Sunday from now on.  The blog is so late since I took over I received the following flyer a while back and it was buried in the pile of information that I use for the blog. It's too bad I missed this one as I would have loved to win one of the prizes for riding this train.

Maybe I should go through this stuff more often. 

Enjoy Hallowe'en as the Jersey Central notes and don't miss our blog train next Sunday.  (SHAMELESS PLUG) We are now open 6 days a week and offer many scale trains from anthracite roads.  Come and take a look at our Anthracite Road cars manufactured by Funaro & Carmelango in HO Scale and we remind you that we are the exclusive Tangent Scale Models dealer in the State of New Jersey.  If you are looking for something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, we have taken thousands of pieces in from train collections and there are some really obscure HO cars and locomotives in these collections.  Ask when you walk in the door.  Happy Halloween to you and yours and after eating all that candy may the dental profession treat you with the respect and dignity you deserve for paying for their summer home.

Joe