I awoke at 5:15 AM and was on the highway fifteen minutes later, driving south on US 27 to Harriman, where I stopped at McDonald's for my usual breakfast then continued south to Rockwood where I had to stop.
Southern caboose X347, built by Gantt Manufacturing in the 1970's, on display in Rockwood. From here, I took US 70 to Crab Orchard where, at a grade crossing east of the Lhoist plant, I found Steve Barry, editor of Railfan and Railroad Magazine and ontributing editor Mike Burkhart.
Lhoist Group HistoryOur roots date back to the nineteenth century when in 1889 Hippolyte Dumont opened a factory in Belgium.
In just over a century, the firm has spread internationally: first to France in 1926 on the impetus of the founder's son-in-law, Leon Lhoist. He developed the company further by acquiring lime, limestone and dolomite plants in Belgium and France. During the last 35 years, the fourth generation of shareholders has pushed the business consistently further under the leadership of Baron Berghmans, the company current Chairman.
In the eighties, the Group crossed the Atlantic to the United States. The nineties offered significant expansion opportunities across Western and Eastern Europe, in Germany and Scandinavia. The new millennium again broadened our horizons across Southern Europe to Brazil and progressively to Asia.
Today, we are a world leading producer of lime, dolime and minerals. We continue to grow through acquisition and entry into new territories. With a focus on existing and emerging customer needs, we also invest in new facilities and the development of our portfolio of innovative products and solutions.
Over the past decades, the Group's production has multiplied by ten and our turnover by 40. Lhoist operates 100 facilities in more than 25 countries and has 6,400 employees of more than 40 nationalities.
Lhoist North America is a subsidiary of the Lhoist Group. Formed through a series of investments and acquisitions that span more than three decades, LNA has become the premier supplier of lime, limestone and other mineral products in the North American market place. LNA employs 1,500 people at over 50 facilities throughout the United States and Canada.
LNA acquired Franklin Industrial Minerals in 2006, a U.S. market leader in chemical-grade limestone and clay products.
The ChaseWe waited and then saw a headlight coming down the tracks toward us, but not to us.
Lhoist B23-7 4023 was being used as the plant switcher this morning and was making up a train.
Continuing to switch cars but not approaching us repeated itself. Since the freight train had not yet appeared, I drove down along the plant looking for it and on my way back, pulled in by the truck washer and quickly set up.
Lhoist B23-7 4021, nee Southern Railway 4021, built by General Electric in 1981, the other plant switcher was at rest. I returned to Steve and Mike with my information.
He then came to life but we thought he might be being added to the freight train, although later we surmised he must have gone to get re-fuelled for his switching duties.
The first move of the freight which was not yet ready to leave.
Reversing to get more cars.
The second time was not the charm as he pulled by us but did not leave.
Lhoist GP38-2 2171, nee Penn Central 8006, built by Electro-Motive Division in 1972.
Lhoist GP38-2 3043, nee Denver and Rio Grande Western 3043, built by Electro-Motive Division in 1965.
Lhoist B23-7 3138, nee Seaboard Coast Line 5149, built by General Electric in 1978.
The third time he pulled way past us but then reversed into the yard. Having taken enough pictures of this move, we just waited for him to depart. The day's work was seventeen loads to be delivered to the Norfolk Southern at Emory Gap as Lhoist had trackage rights from Rockwood. Once he left, we started to chase in the two cars, with me following Steve to our first location at the Ashburn Drive grade crossing and we waited for about fifteen minutes.
The Lhoist Railroad train at Ashburn Drive grade crossing. I drove to Price Loop where I waited by myself for the train and waved to each of the passing cars to let them know everything was okay. About fifteen mintues later, I heard the train approaching.
The Lhoist train at Price Loop. I then drove along Highway 70 to the Piney Creek bridge and beat the train there by only two minutes as I hobbled to the bridge.
The Lhoist train on the Piney Creek bridge. I led the way to the Willett Hollow Tunnel that is under Mount Roosevelt Gap and the three of us waited longer than expected because of a downed tree and the train crew had to use chainsaws to cut it before proceeding. Once they finished, the train could be heard coming our way.
The train exiting the Willett Hollow Tunnel, after which I said my goodbyes to Steve and Mark, who were going to continue to chase. I had to drive back to Nashville and checked into the Days Inn Airport Hotel and started to convert the pictures for the first travelogue of this trip. Elizabeth then called saying that she and Bob were at baggage claim so I went to the airport to pick them up and we drove out to Lebanon for our Music City Star ride.
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