N1EY: I am N1EY. This is the webpage about the adventures through time and space of Bill O’Hara, N1EY. My email is n1ey@n1ey.com

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Sat
10
Oct '09

Effingham

Part of webmaster's adventure in Railroading

Below is a picture of an extra coal movement which is heading for Decatur. These movements are part of the overall trend to have a lot of trains use only a portion of the IC mainline.  The IC has reduced the capital contribution required by each train by allowing other trains from foreign roads to offset some of the costs.  When you head to southern part of Illinois you can see BNSF run through trains and other things.  You just never know.  You might also see a coal train with empty cars riding on the back as it is almost a free ride for them.


Effingham is a nice city with a stop on Amtrak.  The City of New Orleans and two regional trains stop at the former Illinois Central station which is at the crossroads of the CN and CSX.  Several videos have been made by various persons. These videos have been for commercial sale.  One video features all of the trains at the location during 24 hours.  The CSX line has gained a considerable amount of business since the acquisition of Conrail.  Much of the old B&O traffic can come through Effingham on the former Pennsy mai

nline. The Conrail traffic from the pennsy and ex-nyc base had dwindled over the years prior to the sale of Conrail as Conrail only reached St. Louis.  In the days of the Pennsy and the New York Central Saint Louis was the second most important connection after Chicago.  These giants reached Saint Louis by crossing the Illinois Central at Effingham and Mattoon, respectively.  The New York Central line through Mattoon was shuttered as it was possible to connect traffic from the ex Big Four(New York Central) yard in Avon, IN with the Pennsy mainline.  All of this mattered little for Conrail in the end as they did not have an effective connection to Kansas City, which has become a very important connection for modern day mega-railroads.  In these days after Conrail traffic from all of sorts of CSX points has been funnelled over this line on the way to Saint Louis which has helped to improve the railfanning prospects.  Just do not visit on a Monday.  It seems like a slow day for CSX.

There is also a short line railroad which operates in the industrial park.  The Illinois Central Centennial Medallons are missing from the former IC station.  One of the buildings has windows which have been covered with plywood.  Still, it is a fun place to see some trains. 
You are more likely to catch a coal extra around here than in Champaign.  The coal comes from various places such as the PAL or BNSF.  Some coal might be going to the plant in Decatur.  So this coal is not going to head up the mainline, but head for Decatur via Mattoon, which is further to the north.  To the right is a picture of the principal locomotive power of the short line, Illinois Western,which as mentioned is located in town to the southwest of the at grade crossing of CN and CSX.
N1EY

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'

Lately

Part of webmaster's adventure in Cycling

I have been biking a little bit here and there.  The season is ending as the sun sets more rapidly by the day.

N1EY

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Tue
6
Oct '09

Indianapolis Massachusetts Avenue Criterium 2009

Part of webmaster's adventure in Cycling

The above picture features several competitors from the 4/5 field.  Notice the mass quantities of spare wheels available for use in the event of a flat in the wheel pit.  Lot of people switch to their race wheels at the time of and an event and reserve their normal training wheels for emergency use at the race.  I just use the same wheels all of the time.  I also consider that I am out of contention if I have to stop for two laps to revert to my old wheels, so why bother?  You receive a free lap if you are in an accident, but I am not trying to participate in an accident.

I have a new wheelset on the way from LeTourneau Wheels.  You can custom order stiff and reliable wheels from LeTournea Wheelworks at Rockland Cycle in Rockland, MA.
I raced in the 4/5 field of the Mass Ave Criterium.  This event is always hosted in a semi-residential area adjacent to the downtown office area.  The race featured a three corner loop around the neighborhood.  In the middle of the loop was the Socialer Turnverein club, which is now situated in the Athenaeum building.  The club had constructed the Deutsche Haus in the 19th century.  The building had been completed in 1898.  The building represents an influence in German-American architectural design and cultural background.  The building is now called the Athenaeum. This building is the site of the original German American club as founded in Indianapolis, IN.  The building has a terrific heritage as one of the only remaining ethnic clubhouses in Indianapolis and the vicinity.  The restaurent and biergarten remind one of my own club.  The restaurant inside is called the Ratskeller and is the oldest operating restaurant in Indianapolis.  The restaurant is older than an overwhelming majority of the restaurants in BOSTON.  So which city is really the most provincial?
The race had been a lot of fun, too!  The race promoters had been very friendly and very social.  They even hired some British emcees.  One fellow had a style very similar to Phil from the CTC.  In the picture to the right you can see the bier garten as just opened.  The sun is starting to rise and fill light into the open space adjacent to the rear of the building.  The sponsors provided free fruit and juice for all of the racers.  A celebratory party had been held in this space after the races were completed.
A more experience field prepares for the start of the race in the above picture.  Check out the large 4/5 field in the picture below.

We had a very large field in the 4/5.  A lot of those guys did not finish 2 laps.
N1EY

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