Paxrail to Contribute Support Cars for Historic Locomotive Move

July 11, 2019

Chicago Ill

Paxrail, a Chicago-based private rail passenger car company, has agreed to contribute the use of four rail cars​, ​supporting the move of historic locomotive C&O​ ​2716 from the Kentucky Railway Museum to Ravenna, Kentucky. 

The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is spearheading ​an effort to help revitalize the regional economy in Appalachian Kentucky with a multi-faceted rail-based initiative. The locomotive’s move will be a mobile kick-off for the project, allowing the public to view of a piece of the region’s past, and what may be a key part of its future.

​Jim Evenson, CEO of Paxrail, has agreed to allow Kentucky Steam the use of several pieces of equipment for the escort train​ which will provide a mobile home for KSHC crews during the move. A crew/power generation (HEP) car and a dormitory car are both to be included in the celebratory train as it parades across the Bluegrass. Both cars are former members of the famous Ringling Brothers Circus Train and were purchased by Paxrail after the circus disbanded in 2017. They have been fully reconditioned by Crossroads Railcar Services in Stearns, KY and th​e cars' trip behind C&O 2716 will be their debut outing ​for Paxrail ​after their re-fit.

Two Paxrail cars, freshly shopped by Crossroads Railcar Services

"We're proud to play a small part in this historic movement of the C&O 2716," said Evenson on Thursday in a prepared statement. "The vision of the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation is one we are happy to support." Paxrail will also be including the use of two flat cars, which will enable Kentucky Steam to transport several pieces of heavy equipment to Eastern Kentucky from The Kentucky Railway Museum.  ​Thanks to the generous cooperation from CSX Transporation and the R.J. Corman Railroad Group, the locomotive and accompanying train will be moved across the Bluegrass State over a three-day weekend, making stops in Frankfort, Midway, and Lexington before the final destination of Ravenna, a 100-year-old community originally founded by the L&N Railroad in the early 1900s. The trip will kick-off on Friday, July 26th with an excursion originating on Kentucky Railway Museum grounds. Proceeds from the "Heritage Highball" excursion will be shared by both the museum and the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation. For more about the project and details about the event, visit www.kentuckysteam.org

For more about Paxrail, visit www.paxrail.com