Special Trains To Master's Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA 2019

Both NS and BNSF operated special trains to Augusta, GA for the 2019 Master's Golf Tournament. Well-known rail author and photographer Al Langley of the Augusta area posted these consists. Surprisingly, CSX chose to not send a train this year.

EQUIPMENT AT NS TAYLOR STREET OFFICE CAR TRACKS:

NORFOLK SOUTHERN:

NS 271, F-9A, EXECUTIVE TRAIN MOTIVE POWER
NS 276, F-7B, EXECUTIVE TRAIN MOTIVE POWER
NS 275, F-7B, EXECUTIVE TRAIN MOTIVE POWER
NS 270, F-9A, EXECUTIVE TRAIN MOTIVE POWER
NS 39, POWER AND EQUIPMENT CAR. (N&W heritage)
NS 1, VIRGINIA, Twin-Unit Office Car. 800770. ( SOU. heritage.)
NS 2, CAROLINA, Mate To Office Car VIRGINIA. 800737. (SOU. heritage.)
NS 4, MICHIGAN, Office Car. 800356. (CR heritage.)
NS. 14, MISSOURI, Sleeper. 800740.
NS 13, GEORGIA, Sleeper. 800784. (SOU. heritage.) {Built, Pullman - 1925.}
NS 5, MARYLAND, Office Car. 800221. (CR heritage.)
NS. 3, CLAYTOR LAKE, Office Car. 800771. (N&W heritage.) {Built, Pullman-Standard - 1924}
NS 20, OHIO, Office Car. 800774. (N&W heritage.)
NS SANDY CREEK, 800321, Sleeper-Tavern-Lounge-Observation (Privately Owned by Wick Moorman.) {NYC - 20th Century Ltd. heritage.)
NS 7, PENNSVLVANIA, Office Car. (CR heritage.)
NS 9, ALABAMA, Sleeper. 800769. (SOU. Heritage.) {Built, Pullman - 1932.)
NS 12, INDIANA, Sleeper. 800772. (N&W heritage.)
NS. 11, ILLINOIS, Sleeper. 800782. (SOU. Heritage.)
NS. 24, DELAWARE, Full Length Dome-Lounge. 800777, (CR heritage.)
NS 21, WEST VIRGINIA, 800775. (SOU. HERITAGE.)
NS 18, NEW ORLEANS, Diner, 800783. (SOU. heritage.)
NS. 19, KENTUCKY, Diner, 800773. (N&W heritage.) {Formerly named “General John Mahone”.}
NS. 23, BUENA VISTA, Theater/ Track Observation Car. 800776. (SOU. Heritage.)

(All NS power in black and white with gold lettering “Tuxedo” paint scheme. All NS passenger equipment in tuscan red with gold lettering and trim and black roofs and trucks.)


BNSF:

BNSF 6790 EXECUTIVE TRAIN MOTIVE POWER.
BNSF 50, STAMPEDE PASS, Power and Equipment Car.
BNSF 67, SNOQUALMIE PASS, Office Car.
BNSF 32, WILLIAM STRONG, Theater / Track Observation Car. 800658.
BNSF 8, JOHN REED, Diner, 800567l.
BNSF 29, VALLEY VIEW, Sleeper. 800635.
BNSF 60, STEVENS PASS, Sleeper. 800266.
BNSF 64, MARIAS PASS, Sleeper. 800661.
BNSF 65, RATON PASS, Sleeper. 800662. (Ex-ATSF 4-4-2 “Regal” sleeper.)
BNSF 67, TRINCHERA PASS, Sleeper. 80066. (Ex-ATSF 4-4-2 “Regal sleeper.)

(All BNSF passenger equipment in fluted stainless steel with black lettering and orange BNSF logo. BNSF power in orange and green livery.)

 

Wish I could get a chance to catch either one of those but alas, it's not in the cards this year. Maybe next year.

 

NS's train usually operates via Columbia, Charlotte and Roanoke, but I always seem to miss it. The Master's ends this Sunday, 04/14/19. Maybe after Palm Sunday church services, I'll see what's up with the movement.

 

Ken, I agree. Railroads are, and always have been in the service business. They forget that their only product IS service. They lose that focus as they age, and focus inward to their in-bred culture, becoming responsive only to the cost-cutting, profit motive financial demons. Soon those to whom they provided service become disillusioned and look elsewhere to satisfy their needs. These corporations forget that their customers do not NEED their services, but use it because they were(!) more cost effective and convenient than their competitors who, by the way, lurk just around the corner. I remember when railroads operated magnificent passenger trains on schedule with great service because they understood that was the best advertising to corporate decision makers.

 

After laying off over 2,000 employees in 2018 with more to come in 2019 (most recently, the Russell, KY locomotive shop was abruptly closed on 04/05/19 resulting in 113 jobs lost), I'm also guessing that CSX leadership thought it would be callus to arrive in luxury at Augusta while the rank and file continue to suffer deep reductions in employment.

 

Well, I missed seeing NS's F Units again. I had sporadic locational information, but its slow speed and placement behind a manifest freight train confused my efforts. I saw the freight and assumed I'd missed the Fs. Who sends out an executive train behind a freight? Sigh.