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It's that time of year again...the first Saturday in May and the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby. And that means Derby Special trains.
This year's train count was down by one...RJ Corman opted not to run a special train to Churchill Downs, instead offering a KY Derby Brunch train featuring the "Old Kentucky Dinner Train" on their line out of Bardstown.
NS brought their Office Car Special into Louisville following Employee Appreciation runs in Indiana and Illinois and most of that move happened at night.
Amtrak ran a special down the L&I (former Pennsy rails) from Indianapolis to Louisville.
And CSX brought their business car train up from Jacksonville, FL, choosing to run via Atlanta, Corbin, N Patio and into Lexington. The train was then ferried to Frankfort for stocking and boarding. This train runs as the KY Governor's VIP train to the Derby.
Derby Day dawned bright and sunny in Lexington but an all-day rain was the order of the day at the Downs. Frankfort was overcast and the Governor's train encountered some showers on the run over to Louisville.
Next up will be the outbound moves as the trains all head back to their respective home bases. We'll see what transpires as those moves begin.
1) The CSX OCS arrives at RJ Corman's Rupp Yard in Lexington, KY where it will overnight before the move to Frankfort.
2) The CSX train is so long that it came almost all the way out the opposite end of the Rupp Yard before it could back into its temporary parking spot.
3) Shoving back into the yard, I couldn't pass up the reflections in these springtime puddles.
4) The CSX OCS shoves under the Norfolk-Southern (CNOT&P) flyover and into the RJ Corman yard.
KY Derby 2013 - VIP Trains
Our look at the special trains for the 139th Kentucky Derby continues:
1) On the Friday before the Derby, the CSX train idles in Frankfort, KY on the old F&C RR yard lead as an RJ Corman freight begins its run up W Broadway in the historic downtown area.
2) KY Derby Day and the CSX/Governor's train begins its move from Frankfort to Louisville and Churchill Downs.
3) The Governor's train rolls up W Broadway Street amid the revelers enjoying the 3rd annual Downtown Derby Celebration.
4) As the train leaves downtown and heads across the Kentucky River, we see a Bluegrass band playing in the big picture window of the theater car that brings up the markers.
KY Derby 2013 - VIP Trains
Continuing coverage of KY Derby 139 and the special Derby trains.
1) After passing through the community of Bagdad, KY the CSX/Governor's train rolls through the farms and fields of Central Kentucky.
2) Just past Buffalo Crossing, the Derby train encounters a brief rain shower as it passes this farm.
3) Having just cleared Simpsonville, KY the Derby special is just about into the homestretch on the run for Churchill Downs.
KY Derby 2013 - VIP Trains
Getaway Day!
The Sunday following the Kentucky Derby is a highlight for railfans in Central Kentucky...that's the day that all the Derby Special trains leave Louisville to return to their home bases.
Even with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees and wind whipping the steady rain around; a number of photographers left their cozy lairs to brave the elements and document the events of the day.
1) The rain is coming down in buckets as CSX's Office Car Special, which ran as the Governor's Derby Train, shoves up W Broadway Street in Frankfort, KY in preparation for its departure.
2) While switching out its consist, the CSX locomotives pause on the KY River bridge next to a classic L&N searchlight signal.
3) Underway, the CSX train roars through Midway, KY.
KY Derby 2013 - VIP Trains
Getaway Day!
The Sunday following the Kentucky Derby is a highlight for railfans in Central Kentucky...that's the day that all the Derby Special trains leave Louisville to return to their home bases.
Even with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees and wind whipping the steady rain around; a number of photographers left their cozy lairs to brave the elements and document the events of the day.
Traditionally, the stars of getaway day are the NS F-units and they're still beautiful...even in the rain. But this year's Derby exodus saw a newcomer take center stage: Norfolk Southern's #6920...the "Veteran's Locomotive"...which moved a short consist to Washington DC for National Train Day.
Norfolk Southern hit a home run with their 30th Anniversary "Heritage Units" in historic railroad paint schemes. But they hit a grand slam with this design...and it looks as good in person as it photographs. Well done, NS!
1) The NS F-units roll through the siding at Waddy, KY.
2) Raindrop on lens, check. Dropped towel in puddle rushing to get out of car, check. Poor exposure rescued in Photoshop, check. Catching the NS F's rolling through Harrodsburg, KY...priceless!
3) Here comes the Veteran's Locomotive and its short consist.
4) NS #6920 brings its train past the dump at Waddy, KY.
KY Derby 2013 - VIP Trains
Getaway Day!
The Sunday following the Kentucky Derby is a highlight for railfans in Central Kentucky...that's the day that all the Derby Special trains leave Louisville to return to their home bases.
Even with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees and wind whipping the steady rain around; a number of photographers left their cozy lairs to brave the elements and document the events of the day.
The star of this year's Derby exodus: Norfolk Southern's #6920...the "Veteran's Locomotive"...rolls to a stop in Waddy. What the...? Seems the preceding NS F-train was dragging an air hose and snagged a defect detector, so the Veteran's train had to stop. Fortunately, this allowed the swarm to grab unobstructed portraits of this beautiful engine.
Norfolk Southern hit a home run with their 30th Anniversary "Heritage Units" in historic railroad paint schemes. But they hit a grand slam with this design...and it looks as good in person as it photographs. Well done, NS!
1) A 7/8 side view of NS #6920.
2) Worth getting wet for!
3) Ready for my close-up.
4) Back underway and rolling through Harrodsburg, KY.
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