2012 Derby trains, the Jinx was broken

[E.M. Bell]

We have had a running joke around here for the past several years about Derby weekend being "jinxed", but its only a half hearted joke for the most part. For what ever reason you wish to give, superstitious or otherwise, there always seems to be something that delays the NS train on its outbound run, but this year we (and the NS) seemed to have gotten lucky.

The day after the Run for the Roses (Sunday, May 6th) dawned with mostly clear skies and warm temps. A stark contrast from the day before, which was chilly and wet (typical weather for Derby day). Carmon and myself headed for Louisville around 0900 via the scenic route, figuring the train would not get out until early afternoon. After shooting a couple of freights at Waddy, a buddy called to say they where putting the train together at the K&I yard in Louisville, so we jumped on Interstate 64 and headed on West.

We arrived just in time to shoot the bull with some of the gang that had already arrived, and then to get a couple of shots of the OCS as they pulled out of the yard and turned on the "Gaynor" wye along the river front. Soon after, we headed back East to our first location. I have been lucky enough over the past few years to shoot the F units at just about all of the "classic" locations on the Louisville District and CNO&TP, and this time around wanted to get some of those "other places". While the rest of the crew went for the high profile shots  (like Pope Lick bridge or Turtle Tree Curve), we choose a few spots that not many others thought of.

Below are a few samples of the days work, and also (gasp!) a couple of other shots of the CSX and Corman Derby trains as well. If one enjoys F units (old and new), then KY is the place to be this time of year.

The entire set of my NS Derby pics are at this link  http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/ocs12

And if you are really bored, and want to see something besides NS, the other stuff is here  http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/shorts12

NS 956 pulls out of the K&I yard and turns on the wye before departing Louisville. I cant count how many times I have seen these old girls since 2007...and I still cant get enough of them!


The outbound Derby train at West Waddy, KY. This is one of the few places we where joined by other folks, and we all enjoyed the sound of 4 hard working EMD's as they fought the hill into town.


Rolling through the Salt River Bottom, near McBrayer, KY


CSX F40 #9993 with the Governors train, tied down on the old F&C mainline at Frankfort KY. Friday Night 05/04/12


The Corman Derby train runs down Benson Valley, on the outskirts of Frankfort, KY. Saturday 05/05/12

[NSMoWandS]

Beautiful shots EM!

[thpbears]

Very nice.

[Badhorse79]

Jist like KFC baby finger licking good ... in this case its Kentucky F-Unit Class

[Ptrainman]

Great shots E.M. I really like the one at Waddy. Im gonna shoot this train one day, Im determined!


Paul

[E.M. Bell]

Thanks for the comments guys...glad yall like them.

Just for fun, I will add one more picture. If you live in Ky, you can write your own caption for this...and no, that is NOT mud that young man is cleaning up. CSX, Politics and horse crap...

[NSMoWandS]

It could be taken another way EM. That CSX is finally cleaning their sh*t up. Just a thought. 

[Badhorse79]

I just like how he's kinda tossing it up.in the bucket ... like a lacrosse ball

[NSMoWandS]

LOL Badhorse!!!!

[thpbears]

Of course it could be that someone such as myself just saw their first Heritage unit. ;D

[Badhorse79]

Good one bears ... as yall know I could use that full bucket on a certain persons porch from yesterday