Relief is finally in sight for L&N's motive power shortage, fueled by booming coal traffic in Eastern Kentucky. On May 16, 1979, three new units, two SD40-2s and a C30-7, head a northbound empty ... (more)
With nearly a foot of new snow on the ground, three motors take mtys back to the coalfields of Harlan County.
With not enough power for Q539 to make it over the hill, the crew has hooked up a long hood forward helper unit normally reserved for coal drags. Q699 and others await the fix.
Heading north to refuel from a tanker at Morley, helper engine C212 glides silently thru Hickory Creek tunnel.
Southbound unit coal train passes the crossover at Oaks, installed in 1980 when this section was double-tracked.
2 prior loads had 4 and 3 U30Cs respectively, and then a quartet of C30-7s; I was having a good day then! The sound was astounding coming up the valley.
With one of the SDs cutting out, coal drag N294 does it's dangest to clear Chaska at the tailend, allowing the helper engine to go north on the main, then come south to hook up for the shove over ... (more)
Grain train G796 needs no help today with three motors for the Duff Mountain grade. Good thing as the helper crew has just turned their motor and the helper equipment isn't cooperating.
With a splash of fall foliage thrown in, the CSX hill helper idles away at Chaska, awaiting another coal or grain drag for the mountain.
Ex SBD, original Clinchfield SD45-2 awaits the next call to shove loaded coal trains over Duff Mountain.
Grinding uphill on Duff Mountain
Uphill at Duff Mountain, 2 C30-7s shoving hard on rear. Sounded like a herd of helicopters coming up the valley.
Bursting out into the last light of day, Q539 snakes thru the many rock cuts in the Hickory Creek gorge. Rockslide detector fences line the cuts to warn of slides throughout the area.
With bad wheelsets stored to the side, a crew enlists a hoist and the Chaska helper engine on an autorack flat.
The Chaska Helpers aren't needed on this autumn day as the 7501 single handedly carries mty covered hoppers up and over Duff Mountain.
