PRR Madison Hill

[Cheviot Hill]

Yes it is. The sound effects were pretty lame too. My oldest daughter had nightmares about the engine. I still kid her about it.

Has anybody heard of the story about those 2 SD7s? From what I remember, when one or both of those engines were getting shopped, they sent a normal geared SD7 to operate the hill. I don't think it went off the tracks but it was sure one hell of an adventure for the crew. Does anybody know of the story?

[rrnut282]

It was an ugly little thing, too.

[Cheviot Hill]

IIRC, It's called the Reuben Wells.  My kids are older now, so it's been a few years since I visited the museum.

Thats it, the Reuben Wells. I was banging my head against the wall over that one. I was just about ready to look it up on the musium site. Thanks rrnut282!

[rrnut282]

IIRC, It's called the Reuben Wells.  My kids are older now, so it's been a few years since I visited the museum.

[Cheviot Hill]

Can anyone fill me in about this? I know the the Pennsy had two SD specially built for the grade and that it was 5.71% if I remember correctly. But where is it and is someone still using it?

Yes there were 2 SD7s 6998 and 6999 (class ER15ax, with 65:12 gear ratios, six cylinder compressors, and rail washers with heaters). To my knowledge, the line has not been used in almost 30 years. The 1.3 mile hill still has the track in place. There was some talk of the City of Madison restoring the line for a tourist attraction, within the last few years, but quickly dropped those plans when they realized what it would cost. Side note. The steam engine that ran on that hill still survives. It's at the Indianapolis Childrens Musium on display. It's name escapes me now.

[timz]

" I (estimate) it is only about a little over a half mile long though."

As I recall it's about 7000 ft long.

[locomutt]

5.89%.  I just looked it up.  Madison is on the Ohio river (hence the grade) and is in the southeast portion of Indiana probably 3/4 of the way acrross to Ohio.  Yes it is still operated sporadically and the short line owns both engines.  Before the SD-7s the PRR used 2-8-0s that were required to back down the hill to keep water on the crown sheet.

This is the second time I have heard that the hill is operational.  I do not believe it is.  The tracks look pretty bad.  I have visited it twice, and it truly is an impressive sight.  It is amazing how quickly you are staring at rail level with your head.  I (estimate) it is only about a little over a half mile long though. 

There is a power plant at the bottom of the hill, but it is served via river. 

I am more interested in what industries the line serves in Madison--I assume it serves industries in Madision, as the line looks to be in pretty good shape (for a shortline) until you get to the hill (probably more aptly described as a pit).  But it is far from obvious what industry it serves.

There is a military base nearby, and I have a hunch that is what keeps it in business.  Somebody could tell me about this . . . buy then they would have to kill me . . .

Gabe

To the best of my knowledge,the "Hill" has not been used for quite a few years;any rail traffic
that comes into Madison,is to North Madison at the top of the hill.

The Military installation in that area is Jefferson Proving Ground and I believe it's close
to being shut down.

[Modelcar]

....Trying to remember...I believe that stretch of railroad was a "cog" railroad at one time....

[gabe]

5.89%.  I just looked it up.  Madison is on the Ohio river (hence the grade) and is in the southeast portion of Indiana probably 3/4 of the way acrross to Ohio.  Yes it is still operated sporadically and the short line owns both engines.  Before the SD-7s the PRR used 2-8-0s that were required to back down the hill to keep water on the crown sheet.

This is the second time I have heard that the hill is operational.  I do not believe it is.  The tracks look pretty bad.  I have visited it twice, and it truly is an impressive sight.  It is amazing how quickly you are staring at rail level with your head.  I (estimate) it is only about a little over a half mile long though. 

There is a power plant at the bottom of the hill, but it is served via river. 

I am more interested in what industries the line serves in Madison--I assume it serves industries in Madision, as the line looks to be in pretty good shape (for a shortline) until you get to the hill (probably more aptly described as a pit).  But it is far from obvious what industry it serves.

There is a military base nearby, and I have a hunch that is what keeps it in business.  Somebody could tell me about this . . . buy then they would have to kill me . . .

Gabe

[ndbprr]

5.89%.  I just looked it up.  Madison is on the Ohio river (hence the grade) and is in the southeast portion of Indiana probably 3/4 of the way acrross to Ohio.  Yes it is still operated sporadically and the short line owns both engines.  Before the SD-7s the PRR used 2-8-0s that were required to back down the hill to keep water on the crown sheet.

[Modelcar]

....I don't know how well the "search feature" is operating now under this new system but oh...about a year ago we had that subject going rather extensive on here and we brought out a lot of info regarding that "hill"...You might try to find some of that data via the "search".

[Anonymous]

Can anyone fill me in about this? I know the the Pennsy had two SD specially built for the grade and that it was 5.71% if I remember correctly. But where is it and is someone still using it?