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Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Train
The 74th annual Santa Train running as CSX P901-19 makes its stop in Dante, Va., on November 19. The train has its origins in 1943 when the Clinchfield Railroad began operating this yearly special along its line between Elkhorn City Ky., and Kingsport, Tenn. The tradition has continued unabated through several ownership changes, though the train now runs between Shelby Yard outside of Pikeville, Ky., on the old C&O Big Sandy Sub, and Kingsport. When a 20-mile portion of the ex-Clinchfield was idled in October 2015, many thought that would end the train as well.
PHOTO BY WILL SHIELDS
Montreal “Expressway” trailer-on- flatcar Trains 132-133 and grain Train 320-187 to Thunder Bay (with an almost retro-consist of Soo Line SD60M 6061 and CP SD40-2s 5873 and 5919). The remaining seven SD40-2F “red
barn” locomotives were declared surplus on October 28 and listed for auction in early November. This auction also included several previously retired SD40-2F units, three GP9u units, four more SD40-2s, and all four remaining former ICE/DME SD40-2/-3 units. On the upside, at least one SD40-2 will live on, with CP’s donation of No. 5903 to Exporail, in Delson, Que., on October 5.
CSX TRANSPORTATION JONATHAN QUINLEY
Investigation Continues in Citra Collision
A phosphate train collided with a
loaded coal train near Pine Church Road in Citra, Fla., in the early morning hours of November 16, resulting in minor injuries to two crew members. CSX coal Train N001-13 from Pembroke, Ky., was destined for Tampa, Fla., when the crew reported that loaded phosphate train K210-14 from Mulberry, Fla., destined for Chicago, had collided with them mid-train on a siding near milepost S718 on the Wildwood Subdivision near Ocala. The three locomotives from the phosphate train were damaged, and 33 cars derailed. A November 22 report from WOFL-TV quoted an accident investigation report from the Marion
County Sheriff that stated the engineer of the phosphate train had admitted to falling asleep prior to the collision. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the derailment caused the release of approximately 1,346 tons of coal, 1,150 tons of monoammonium phosphate (fertilizer), 7,400 gallons of diesel fuel, 77 gallons of sulfuric acid from locomotive batteries, and ten gallons of locomotive lubrication oil. The accident was under investigation at press time.
Santa Train Returns to the Clinchfield
Despite the downgrading of the old Clinchfield route through the mountains, CSX operated the 74th annual Santa Train from Shelby, Ky., to Kingsport, Tenn., on behalf of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. Aside from CSX, sponsors include local supermarket chain Food Lion and Jacksonville, Fla., non-profit Dignity U Wear. The train made 14 stops on its 110-mile journey, distributing gifts to children in communities along the route. Among the volunteers working on
the train was CSX President Clarence Gooden and his wife Corkie, who gets into the spirit playing the role of one of Santa’s elves. Though some of the stops were made in rainy pre-dawn hours, nothing could dampen the spirits of the thousands who crowded the tracks along the way. Lead locomotive SD40-3 rebuild No.
4034 was adorned with CLINCHFIELD lettering on the nose, as well as heritage decals as a tribute to the history of the
line. The Santa Train made its first run in 1942 with the cooperation of CSX predecssor Clinchfield Railroad. —O.M.V.
Power Notes CSX started taking delivery of its
new General Electric ET44AH units in the 3400-series in late October into November. These units are quickly getting sent all over the system while some of the older C40-8Ws, SD60/SD50 types, and SD40-2s are being put back in storage.
for Toledo Interlocking The interlocking tower at Ironville
Signal Cutover
in Toledo, Ohio, where the CSX Toledo Terminal Sub crosses the Norfolk Southern Toledo Belt now has new signal hardware, with cutover taking place at the end of 2016. The CSX Toledo Terminal still has some of the older searchlights and a few New York Central-style target signals active, but these are planned for replacement in 2017.
NORFOLK SOUTHERN SCOTT LINDSEY
Delmarva Spin-off to Carload Express
During Norfolk Southern’s third quarter earnings presentation on October 26, the railroad’s executive team gave an update on its network
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