3/10/08 - CSX SD40 4617 (the last unit in C&O paint) and GP40 6783 are on a work train in Owensboro KY on the old LH&St.L "Texas" line. The GP40 is significant in that it is one of only 2 or 3 unrebuilt GP40s remaining on the roster. Plus it is showing some old "SCL" lettering rusting through. Thought you guys might enjoy that blast from the past! Chad
It was dusk when I caught them. They were not located at the yard this morning. I assume they're either in Louisville KY or Evansville IN. Will keep an eye out for them. Chad
Chad- Could you fill in a little background, on that line? What the initials represent? I'm guessing L= Louisville. And of course "St.L" is St. Louis. How did it get a a nickname like Texas? Boxcab E50
There is not a lot of documented history on this line. It is a shame because it follows the Ohio River and has some beutiful scenery. LH&StL stands for Louisville, Henderson, and Saint Louis. Henderson Ky is where it connects with the Henderson Sub just south and across the Ohio River from Evansville, Indiana. It became part of L&N around 1922 or '23. Origionally the line was going to be built to St. Louis and eventually Texas. The first westbound signal is still called "Texas".
Thanks Steve. Couldn't have typed it better myself! No sign of those units today. Will check around 6pm CST to see if they're tied up in the yard in Owensboro. Begs the question: why doesn't CSX keep dedicated MOX units as they once did? These two were called "junkers" by their crew. An unrebuilt GP40/SD40 tandem on a work train surely isn't a coincedence! Chad
OK. Thanks! I was wondering where Texas would fit in. There certainly were some grand schemes years ago. Boxcab E50
It is much more efficient to have all locomotives able to do everything. The old dedicated orange MOW units were restricted to 30mph. I'm sure it only added problems at service centers where it had to be switched around all the other locos. Now if they need an engine for a work train they can just grab any geep available.
