January 9, 2020 - CSXT 3096 leads loaded coal train N307 as it passes the signals at the RR location known as poorhouse, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision at Madisonville, Ky.

This location got it's name from the L&N Railroad days when the Hopkins County Poorhouse stood near here.

According to the Kentucky Historic Institutions website: In 1910 there were more than 84 thousand paupers that were enumerated in poorhouses in the United States; this was a marked increase of 3 percent compared to 1904. In Kentucky, the number of enumerated people in poorhouses in 1910 were 1,522; 871 being male and 651 being female. Of that population, 1,044 were native born, 167 were foreign born, 27 have unknown nativity, and 284 were “colored.” Irish and Swiss immigrants had a much high ratio of pauperism in 1910 than any other nationality. 

According to the occupations of individuals admitted into poorhouses, unskilled laborers made up the highest number. Skilled trades also held a relatively considerable number as well. Women frequently were domestic servants prior to admission. A relatively large number of about two filths reported being unable to do any work of any kind. A statistically significant number of paupers during the year 1910 were consider physically or mentally defective though the number of insane and feeble-minded almshouses was on the decline in 1910. Three fourths of discharges were done so as self-supporting. Approximately 17,000 paupers died in poorhouses during 1910 a rate of 207.7 paupers per 1,000. The most common cause of death at that time was tuberculosis of the lungs.

In earlier days, poorhouses were sometimes used as temporary shelters for vagrants as well as a place of detention for petty criminals. This was often due to poorhouses being the only public agency available to offer relief, even to those who were insane, feeble-minded, or epileptic. Some communities combined poorhouses with free hospitals or infirmaries that catered to the poor.

CSXT 3096 leads loaded coal train N307…

January 9, 2020 – CSXT 3096 leads loaded coal train N307 as it passes the signals at the RR location known as poorhouse, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision at Madisonville, Ky.

This location got it’s name from the L&N Railroad days when the Hopkins County Poorhouse stood near here.

According to the Kentucky Historic Institutions website: In 1910 there were more than 84 thousand paupe… See More

November 1, 2019 - Loaded Coal Train CSX N020-31 (Evansville, IN to Wildwood, FL) passes the signals at Oak Hill, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision at Little Valley, Ky.

Loaded Coal Train CSX N020-31…

November 1, 2019 – Loaded Coal Train CSX N020-31 (Evansville, IN to Wildwood, FL) passes the signals at Oak Hill, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision at Little Valley, Ky.

October 23, 2019 - A crewmember from loaded coal train CSX N013 waves at the engineer on northbound Intermodal CSX Q028 as they meet at Nortonville, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision as he performs a roll by inspection.

A crewmember from loaded coal train CSX N013…

October 23, 2019 – A crewmember from loaded coal train CSX N013 waves at the engineer on northbound Intermodal CSX Q028 as they meet at Nortonville, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision as he performs a roll by inspection.

October 8, 2019 - A northbound empty coal train CSX E319 meets southbound hot intermodal CSX Q025 at Nortonville, Kentucky as they both make their way along the Henderson Subdivision.

A northbound empty coal train CSX E319 meets…

October 8, 2019 – A northbound empty coal train CSX E319 meets southbound hot intermodal CSX Q025 at Nortonville, Kentucky as they both make their way along the Henderson Subdivision.

October 5, 2019 - A Loaded E319 takes on fuel on Ohio Street, just north of Howell Yard in Evansville, Indiana as a Evansville Western Railway crew brings it off their line. Their train it will be tied down in the siding at Harwood, on the Evansville Terminal Subdivision, as it waits for a fresh crew that will take it on north as a N319 (N319 Evansville, IN (EVWR) - Cross, SC). Most coal trains head south from Evansville, but I'm told that some have started going north, bound for the east coast for export overseas. Not sure if they're being rerouted due to weather or construction.

A Loaded E319 takes on fuel on Ohio Street…

October 5, 2019 – A Loaded E319 takes on fuel on Ohio Street, just north of Howell Yard in Evansville, Indiana as a Evansville Western Railway crew brings it off their line. Their train it will be tied down in the siding at Harwood, on the Evansville Terminal Subdivision, as it waits for a fresh crew that will take it on north as a N319 (N319 Evansville, IN (EVWR) – Cross, SC). Most coal trains head south from Evansville, but I’m told that some have started going north, bound for the east coast for export overseas. Not sure if they’re being rerouted due to weather or construction.

October 8, 2019 - CSX Loaded grain train G307 takes the siding at the north end of Crofton, Kentucky as it passes empty coal train CSX E302 sitting on the main as they both work their way along the Henderson Subdivision.

CSX Loaded grain train G307 takes the siding…

October 8, 2019 – CSX Loaded grain train G307 takes the siding at the north end of Crofton, Kentucky as it passes empty coal train CSX E302 sitting on the main as they both work their way along the Henderson Subdivision.

October 8, 2019 - With just a hint of fall color in the background, empty coal train CSX E319 glides onto the Earlington Cutoff at Mortons Junction in Mortons Gap, Kentucky as it heads north on the Henderson Subdivision.

Empty coal train CSX E319 at Mortons Gap, Kentucky

October 8, 2019 – With just a hint of fall color in the background, empty coal train CSX E319 glides onto the Earlington Cutoff at Mortons Junction in Mortons Gap, Kentucky as it heads north on the Henderson Subdivision.

September 20, 2019 - CSX empty coal train E303 heads across the liftbridge at Bridgeport, Alabama as it heads north over the Tennessee River on the Chattanooga Subdivision. From what I can find on the web, "The original span was a swing type drawbridge constructed in 1852 by the Nashville & Chattanooga RR. That structure was replaced in 1890 by another swing type by successor line Louisville & Nashville. Current span was completed in 1981. The central lift section was taken from another bridge that had been abandoned on an L&N line at Danville, TN. It was dismantled, shipped to this site, and reassembled in place."

CSX empty coal train E303 heads across the liftbridge…

September 20, 2019 – CSX empty coal train E303 heads across the liftbridge at Bridgeport, Alabama as it heads north over the Tennessee River on the Chattanooga Subdivision. From what I can find on the web, “The original span was a swing type drawbridge constructed in 1852 by the Nashville & Chattanooga RR. That structure was replaced in 1890 by another swing type by successor line Louisville & Nashville. Current span was completed in 1981. The central lift section was taken from another bridge that had been abandoned on an L&N line at Danville, TN. It was dismantled, shipped to this site, and reassembled in place.”

September 22, 2019 - The early morning sunlight bathes the nose of BNSF 5749 as it makes its way past NS DeButts Yard at Chattanooga, Tennessee with a loaded coal train as it heads along the CNO&TP Third District.

According to Wikipedia: The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway (abbreviated: CNO&TP; (reporting mark CNTP)) is a railroad that runs from Cincinnati, Ohio, south to Chattanooga, Tennessee, forming part of the Norfolk Southern Railway system.

The physical assets of the road were initially financed by the city of Cincinnati in the 1870s, and are still owned by the city. It is the only such long-distance railway owned by a municipality in the United States. The CNO&TP continues to lease that property and operates one rail line, the Cincinnati Southern Railway, between Cincinnati and Chattanooga.

The early morning sunlight bathes the nose of BNSF 5749…

September 22, 2019 – The early morning sunlight bathes the nose of BNSF 5749 as it makes its way past NS DeButts Yard at Chattanooga, Tennessee with a loaded coal train as it heads along the CNO&TP Third District.

According to Wikipedia: The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway (abbreviated: CNO&TP; (reporting mark CNTP)) is a railroad that runs from Cincinnati, Ohio, south to Chattanooga, Tennessee, forming part of the Norfolk Southern Railway system.

The physical assets of the road were initially financed by the city of Cincinnati in the 1870s, and are still owned by the city. It is the only such long-distance railway owned by a municipality in the United States. The CNO&TP continues to lease that property and operates one rail line, the Cincinnati Southern Railway, between Cincinnati and Chattanooga.

September 4, 2019 - A loaded BNSF coal train navigates the loop at the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal along the St. Louis Bay, at the mouth of the St. Louis River (Lake Superior) in Superior, Wisconsin.

A loaded BNSF coal train navigates…

September 4, 2019 – A loaded BNSF coal train navigates the loop at the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal along the St. Louis Bay, at the mouth of the St. Louis River (Lake Superior) in Superior, Wisconsin.

September 12, 2019 - It has been several weeks since Dotki Mine in Clay, Kentucky shut down and today the town of Providence, Ky turnout for the last load of coal (20 cars or so) from the mine. The last run today was dedicated in honor the miners who worked there–and the miner Jeremy Elder–who died just one week ago in an accident at Warrior Coal Mine outside Madisonville, Ky.

The  Elder family, from left, brother Adam Elder, wife Kristi Elder, mother Loretta Elder, son Holden Elder and father Terry Elder. Not pictured is son Rylan Elder,
who was on a field trip with his school, posing for pictures on Paducah and Louisville Railway's 4522, University of Kentucky engine, which was heading up CSX Z464-12 on the last trip along the CSX Morganfield Branch.

Coal trains have been passing through Providence since the 1800's according to a Facebook post by Providence Mayor Doug Hammers and a banner on the last coal car read; for the last 52 years the railroad has hauled a total of over 193 Million tons of coal from the Dotki Mine.

The mine was operated by Alliance Resource Partner's (ARP) subsidiary, Webster County Coal LLC and according to recent news reports by the Gleaner Newspaper in Henderson, Kentucky, the mine closed due to a decline in the coal market. "Unfortunately, weak market conditions made this action necessary," said Joseph W. Craft III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ARP. "We are saddened that production will be ending at the Dotiki Mine, which was opened in 1969 and is the oldest mine operated by ARLP."

Last Train from Dotki Mine at Providence, Kentucky

September 12, 2019 – It has been several weeks since Dotki Mine in Clay, Kentucky shut down and today the town of Providence, Ky turnout for the last load of coal (20 cars or so) from the mine. The last run today was dedicated in honor the miners who worked there–and the miner Jeremy Elder–who died just one week ago at Warrior Coal Mine in Madisonville, Ky.

In this photo we see the Elder family posing for pictures on Paducah and Louisville Railway’s 4522, University of Kentucky engine, which was heading up CSX Z464-12 on the last trip along the CSX Morganfield Branch.

Coal trains have been passing through Providence since the 1800’s according to a Facebook post by Providence Mayor Doug Hammers and a banner on the last coal car read; for the last 52 years the railroad has hauled a total of over 193 Million tons of coal from the Dotki Mine.

The mine was operated by Alliance Resource Partner’s (ARP) subsidiary, Webster County Coal LLC nad according to recent news reports by the Gleaner Newspaper in Henderson, Kentucky, the mine closed due to a decline in the coal market. “Unfortunately, weak market conditions made this action necessary,” said Joseph W. Craft III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ARP. “We are saddened that production will be ending at the Dotiki Mine, which was opened in 1969 and is the oldest mine operated by ARLP.”

August 17, 2019 - Norfolk Southern 8162 brings up the rear of  WYX1 as the trains DPU, passing under the beltline at Warrior Coal outside Nebo, Kentucky as it finishes loading its coal train bound for the Paducah and Louisville Railway and points north.

Norfolk Southern 8162 brings up the rear…

August 17, 2019 – Norfolk Southern 8162 brings up the rear of WYX1 as the trains DPU, passing under the beltline at Warrior Coal outside Nebo, Kentucky as it finishes loading its coal train bound for the Paducah and Louisville Railway and points north.

August 17, 2019 - CSXT 972 leads a load of 75 coal cars on J800-16 as they round the curve coming approaching the Happy Lane Crossing on the Morganfield Branch at Manitou, Kentucky. This one of the last trains to pickup a load of coal from Dotki Mine in Clay, Ky since it ceased operations on August 14th, 2019.

CSXT 972 leads a load of 75 coal cars on J800-16…

August 17, 2019 – CSXT 972 leads a load of 75 coal cars on J800-16 as they round the curve coming approaching the Happy Lane Crossing on the Morganfield Branch at Manitou, Kentucky. This one of the last trains to pickup a load of coal from Dotki Mine in Clay, Ky since it ceased operations on August 14th, 2019.

August 17, 2019 - Norfolk Southern WYX1 craws downgrade on the Warrior Lead is it departs Warrior Coal with a loaded coal train bound for the Paducah and Louisville Railway and points north.

Norfolk Southern WYX1 craws downgrade…

August 17, 2019 – Norfolk Southern WYX1 craws downgrade on the Warrior Lead is it departs Warrior Coal with a loaded coal train bound for the Paducah and Louisville Railway and points north.

August 17, 2019 - CSXT 972 leads a load of 75 coal cars on J800-16 as they round the curve coming out of Providence, Ky on the Morganfield Branch. This one of the last trains to pickup a load of coal from Dotki Mine in Clay, Ky since it ceased operations on August 14th, 2019. 

The mine has been in operation since 1969 and I'm told that about 2-3 more trains will pickup there with supposedly the last train out of the mine on Thursday, 22nd of August, 2019. Any remaining coal will leave by truck. I expect, though I've not been told, that the trains that used to get coal from Dotki, will now get it from Warrior Coal in Nebo, Ky, which means increased traffic on the Paducah and Louisville line perhaps. We shall see...

CSXT 972 leads a load of 75 coal cars on J800-16…

August 17, 2019 – CSXT 972 leads a load of 75 coal cars on J800-16 as they round the curve coming out of Providence, Ky on the Morganfield Branch. This one of the last trains to pickup a load of coal from Dotki Mine in Clay, Ky since it ceased operations on August 14th, 2019.

WEB-06.07.19 CSX R901 with BNSDF 9136 SB at Madisonville, Ky

CSX R901, a rerouted BNSF loaded coal train…

June 7, 2019 – CSX R901, a rerouted BNSF loaded coal train bening lead by 9136, passes through downtown Madisonville, Ky as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision (HD). BNSF rerouted several coal trains on the HD during the month of June due to flooding in the midwest.

WEB-05.15.19 CSXT 33 leaving AB Brown Power Plant, Mt. Vernon, IN

CSXT 33 heads up an empty coal train…

May 15, 2019 – CSXT 33 heads up an empty coal train as it heads down the Vectren lead from the A.B.Brown Power Plant, outside of Evansville, Indiana. The A. B. Brown Generating Station is a four-unit, 700 megawatt power plant, located on the northern bank of Ohio River, 8 miles east of Mount Vernon, Indiana and 5 miles southwest of Evansville, Indiana just west of the Posey-Vanderburgh County Line and is serviced by CSX via the Evansville Western Railway.

February 16, 2019 - The crew from loaded coal train CSX N307 pulls away from at Nortonville, Ky as they head south on the Henderson Subdivision with their tote train. - #jimstrainphotos #kentuckyrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #csx #csxrailroad

February 16, 2019 – The crew from loaded coal…

February 16, 2019 – The crew from loaded coal train CSX N307 pulls away from at Nortonville, Ky as they head south on the Henderson Subdivision with their tote train. – #jimstrainphotos #kentuckyrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #csx #csxrailroad