rocky-patel-rolling-smoke-cigar-train-photo-galleryhttps://www.trains.com/trn/videos-photos/photos/photo-galleries/rocky-patel-rolling-smoke-cigar-train-photo-gallery/'Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train' photo gallery - TrainsThe 'Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train' train behind Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 ran a round-trip excursion from Pleasant Lake, Ind., to Hillsdale, Mich., and return on Oct. 12, 2024.https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TDC-Nickel-Plate-SD9-cigar-train-Steve-Smedley.jpgInStockUSD1.001.00photo-galleriesphotosvideos-photosarticleTRN2024-10-212024-10-21212028
Will Carney, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society volunteer locomotive engineer, approaches 200 North Road North of Angola, Ind., with the “Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train” behind Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 on Oct. 12, 2024. All photos, Steve Smedley
The “Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train” behind Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 ran a round-trip excursion from Pleasant Lake, Ind., to Hillsdale, Mich., and return on Oct. 12, 2024. The special is one of several themed excursions offered as part of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s Indiana Rail Experience and hosted by the Indiana Northeastern Railroad. The Society partnered with Rudy’s Cigar shop in Fort Wayne for the second year in a row to offer the only annual cigar train in the United States.
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society mechanical volunteers spent several years making repairs to No. 358, which was donated to the society by Norfolk Southern. The society launched a fundraiser for the restoration called Project 358. A great series of the work can be found on the website, which is a testament to the hard work done by the volunteers at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
The SD9 was repainted by Progress Rail in nearby Muncie, Ind., which restored it to its as-delivered paint scheme, releasing it in July 2023 in its original Nickel Plate Road paint.
Trouble shooting on any remaining mechanical issues were addressed by shop forces of the Indiana Northeastern Railroad in nearby Hudson, Ind. The locomotive performed flawlessly on the cigar train.
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Conductor Chris Homco poses with Brian Pacos, left, and his father Gary, both of Buffalo, N.Y., prior to the “Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train” behind Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 departing Pleasant Lake, Ind., on Oct. 12, 2024.The Northbound “Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train” behind 67-year-old Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 rolls between sugar maples in Ray, Ind. The village of Ray straddles Indiana and Michigan. Its elevation is 1,079 feet, making it the highest populated place in northern Indiana.Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 builds air into vintage railcars outside the Pleasant Lake, Ind., station undergoing repainting. Engineer Will Carney is running the classic restored locomotive on the “Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train” round-trip between here and Hillsdale, Mich., on Oct. 12, 2024.Engineer Will Carney notches up the throttle on SD9 No. 358 as the cigar train is seen from the Fox Lake Road overpass in Angola, Ind., on Oct. 12, 2024.
Engineer Will Carney reads over his operating authority prior to departing Pleasant Lake, Ind., with the cigar train.Gary Pacos, left, and his son Brian, of Buffalo, N.Y., wave from the door of a former Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus elephant car as they enjoy cigars on the excursion as it enters Michigan from Ray, Ind., on Oct. 12, 2024.A Michigan State Police trooper watches as Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 leads the cigar train northward through Montgomery, Mich., on Oct. 12, 2024.Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 rolls across Bott Road North of Montgomery, Mich., with the cigar train.With a cigar clenched in his teeth, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Executive Director Kelly Lynch stands on the nose of Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 as Engineer Will Carney gingerly moves the cigar train across Spring Street in Hillsdale, Mich., on Oct. 12, 2024. Conductor Chris Homco walks ahead to line a switch. The train will have a short layover while riders dine at the Hillsdale Brewing Co.Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Executive Director Kelly Lynch stands on the nose of Nickel Plate Road SD9 No. 358 as Engineer Will Carney gingerly moves the train past the former Lake Shore and Michigan Railway depot in Hillsdale, Mich., on Oct. 12, 2024. The train will have a short layover while riders dine at the Hillsdale Brewing Co.Andrew Frank Hershman, sales and marketing director for host railroad Indiana Northeastern, smokes a cigar upon arrival in Hillsdale, Mich.Back in the starting point of Pleasant Lake, Ind., passengers and volunteers pose with the train. Rocky Patel, owner of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, is seated on the platform below Engineer Will Carney and Conductor Chris Homco.
3 thoughts on “‘Rocky Patel Rolling Smoke Cigar Train’ photo gallery”
My grandfather smoked cigars. When he died the family passed on 30+ years of Model Railroad and about that many years of Trains. They had absorbed the stench from the cigars. Wife demanded I get rid of the darn things. She was right in the end- even after several years they made our house smell of cigar. Yuck.
My grandfather smoked cigars. When he died the family passed on 30+ years of Model Railroad and about that many years of Trains. They had absorbed the stench from the cigars. Wife demanded I get rid of the darn things. She was right in the end- even after several years they made our house smell of cigar. Yuck.
Did anyone try a Winston Churchill cigar? I’ve read that it takes quite a man to handle a WC cigar!
Good article, Steve.