Generations apart, yet still connected.

[E.M. Bell]

The crew of Local train T19 has tied up their power for the week, NS SD60 #6671, on the house track at Lawrenceburg Ky  and went home for the weekend. Its late on a Friday night, and the town is quiet as Carmon and myself, joined by Adam Wells and his girls, take a few pictures and talk about how things used to be here.

The depot is long gone, most of the railroaders we knew while growing up (and pestering as kids) are retired, and the little SW1 and ever present Geeps that where once used on the local have been replaced by this 6 axle intruder that would have never stood at a chance at drawing such a "lowly" assignment back then.  Even the name on the side of the engine has changed, with that "Norfolk" in front of the Southern, and a horse on the nose where the mighty Southern logo should be.

About the only thing in this scene that is the same as is was when we where kids is the weathered old face of the Lawrenceburg Hotel, still staring down on the railroad and the town. The hotel was built when steam pulled passengers and freight, the depot that sat across the street was one of the focal points of the town, and the railroad was more than a inconvenience for the towns people.

Now, somehow, it still stands, looking down on a engine that was not even thought of when its bricks where being laid. It no longer serves the main purpose for which it was built, much like the 23 year old EMD that was not built for local service, but has found itself there.

They are generations apart, yet still connected by those two ribbons of steel that run through town.

http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/image/136304785

[Kentucky & Indiana Terminal RR]

Well said Emmett, things sure have changed since the" diesels in tuxedos" roamed our fair city. I think the one feather in our hats is that unlike most scenes of yesteryear all the components that made up the scenery of our youth still exist, and well preserved, even if theyre not exactly where we remember them.

[E.M. Bell]

I guess we should count ourselves lucky, that the place we both seem to have spent so much time is still around, even if its not in the same spot. I drive by the old depot every day on the way to work...and still have not got used to the fact its just a vegetable and flower store now..