L&N Railroad Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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The Louisville and
Nashville Railroad was founded in 1850. The company’s first train
began operations over an 8 mile track in August of
1855.
It wasn’t until October of 1859 that the first
train traveled the 187 mile route between the railroad's two
namesake cities. |
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| During the Civil War at
certain periods of time L&N served both the Union and the
Confederacy. It did
suffer considerable physical damage to its assets during the war
but emerged in much better financial condition than its southern
competitors. This
allowed the railroad to undergo rapid expansion during the post war
years. |
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L&N No.20 "Quigley" built in 1859
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Before the turn of the century L&N would
continue to expand through construction and acquisition of 56
railroads to become one of America’s major railroad
systems.
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One of the secrets to its success was its strategic
move to place track in coal rich areas.
Its entry into Birmingham, Alabama and the coal
fields of Eastern Kentucky not only resulted in increased revenues
from hauling coal to others, but assured an abundant supply of the
mineral for its own use. A luxury some of its competitors
did not have.
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The Kosair Shriner Circus Train visits Louisville in
1920
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The rate of expansion slowed down in the early
1900’s although the demand for railway services continued to
grow.
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L&N No. 295 Pulling the South Wind in
1942
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This demand spiked at the start of World War II
with a 300% increase in passenger traffic and 80% increase in
freight.
With few exceptions almost all the troops
and equipment to support the war traveled by railroad.
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Following the war, cash flush
L&N entered into another era of expansion.
During this period it upgraded its equipment
including switching to faster Diesel Locomotives with streamline
passenger coaches.
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L&N Louisville Rail Yard - 1963
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| In 1946 L&N’s signature
passenger train the Humming Bird began operations between
Cincinnati and New Orleans and was extended to Chicago in
1951. It became very
popular because it was fast, and a low cost means of transportation
for its day. Timetable
records indicate it could travel between Cincinnati and New Orleans
in 19 hours averaging 48 miles per hour. |
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Humming Bird - Biloxi MI. - Circa 1950
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By 1971 L&N was operating over 6500 miles
of track in 13 states.
Later that year Seaboard Coastline Railroad, which
owned a 35% stake in L&N, bought the remainder of its
outstanding shares.
L&N was operated as a subsidiary until December 1982 when it
merged into the Seaboard System Railroad. After 132 years under one name
L&N was no more. In
1986 the Seaboard System and the Chessie System merged to become
the current CSX Railroad.
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| You are looking for a bison tube hidden
behind the old L&N Headquarters building and within a few feet
of where L&N's first train station and rail yards were once
located. Free street parking is available nearby on Cawthon St.
The cache could be done at anytime but recommended during the
day. This is a relatively safe area of town to visit during
the day but use caution if visiting after dark. Remember to
bring a writing instrument to sign the log and please replace cache
as found hidden away from inquisitive eyes.
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Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Qvntbany