Nostalgia & History > When the Challenger came to Kentucky

This weekend marks the 81st anniversary of what has been the Clinchfield now CSX Santa Train. I have five images of what the power was celebrating the 50th anniversary back in 1992. Now I couldn't make it over to the part of Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia that it was actually running but I did chase it from Bowling Green Kentucky north to Louisville Friday the 13th of November and again on Monday the 16th. That Friday is was cloudy and sometimes the rain poured but Monday was beautiful as it ran from Louisville to northern Kentucky. Of course the power was Union Pacific's Challenger 3985 with Steve Lee at the helm. I did a lot of video from that trip but hear are a few shots.
Friday November 13th as it departs Bowling Green Ky.
Monday the 16th as it gives viewers a grand show heading up the CSX short line towards Cincinnati at Lyndon in east Louisville.
Near English Ky.
I'll follow with my last two.  

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At Latonia and finally at Covington Kentucky. Thanks for looking. 

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Some really nice shots!

Dave

Those are some excellent shots!  Thanks for sharing here.

texchief1

Some excellent shots there.

Excellent images.
Bob

Your image #3 is fantastic! As good as it gets. Even the code-comm lines add a nice touch. It's too bad Bob Krieger is no longer around to see these. He would love 'em...

Lance/199

santafe199 Wrote:
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> Your image #3 is fantastic! As good as it gets.
> Even the code-comm lines add a nice touch. It's
> too bad Bob Krieger is no longer around to see
> these. He would love 'em...
>
> Lance/199

Im pretty sure thats Bob in the first photo!

Rob

GoldenState Wrote:
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> santafe199 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Your image #3 is fantastic! As good as it gets.
> > Even the code-comm lines add a nice touch. It's
> > too bad Bob Krieger is no longer around to see
> > these. He would love 'em...
> >
> > Lance/199
>
> Im pretty sure thats Bob in the first photo!
>
> Rob


Correct.

I chased the Challenger on this trip, too... from west of Memphis to Nashville, then Amqui to Louisville and from Louisville to Covington-3 days of it.
The video from those days is in our video "Union Pacific Streamliners & Classic Steam". Among many other locations, I shot it at Osborne Yard, climbing the grade toward Frankfort Ave, street running in LaGrange and may more. Also, Jack Bejna shot it on the Santa train with Clinchfield markings and those shots are in that video, too. This may be the largest steam locomotive to run on the "Short Line" (ex-L&N) or anywhere else on the L&N rails.
-Jim Herron (Herron Rail Video) 

Thanks for the look back. Very nice. Images #2 & 3 are impressive.
John

Here she is on November 11th on her way to you, pounding across the MoPac at California and Bonnotts Mill, Missouri.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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Excellent photos! Dad and I chased it that day as well from St. Matthew's to Covington. I was 12 years old. Good memories! A while later we chased it from Cincinnati to Mitchell when she returned home.

Posted from Android

That is "Mr. Kreiger " ! 

original Wrote:
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> That is "Mr. Kreiger " ! 

On the Fireman's side, yes. Bob didn't move to the "right hand seat" until I showed up to chase the operation, and was promptly "recruited" to fire for bob while on the Clinchfield. My chasing buddies got lots of nice photos!

I was standing next to you at English. 

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