Full Program - 765 On The Kentucky Division: The 1992 Paducah & Louisville Trips

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On September 19th and 20th, 1992, Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 #765 returned steam to the former Illinois Central Railroad's Kentucky Division as she pulled a pair of excursions from Paducah to Central City and return. Shot 32 years ago and released nearly 20 years ago, this is one of our oldest programs. Cameraman Kurt Jensen rode the train to Central City on the 19th and chased the train on the 20th.
Riding with Kurt on the 19th was retired engineer Frank Baumgartner, who had once fired steam on the Kentucky Division. During the return to Paducah, he shared some memories of working steam on the line the train was traveling. The next day, numerous trackside scenes were captured as the train made its second round trip to Central City and return via the New Line through Madisonville.
After these trips, the 765 stayed in Paducah for a couple of weeks before deadheading to Louisville on her way east for her appearance on the New River Train. Kurt returned for the run that happened on October 2nd, 32 years to the day after the final run of I.C. 2613 that brought the railroad's steam operations to an end.
These trips over the Paducah & Louisville turned out to be a one-time event, and we are fortunate the runs were captured for posterity.