On June 24th, 2022, I caught Norfolk Southern Heritage unit 8114 “Norfolk Southern” as it prepared to begin loading at the Warrior Coal Loop outside Nebo, Kentucky! It’s one of 20 locomotives painted as Heritage units by NS. It’s been just over 10 years since the first engine rolled out and I’ve been fortunate to have photographed all 20 of them out working on the road! According to the NS website: As part of its 30th anniversary celebration in 2012, NS painted 20 new locomotives in the color schemes of predecessor railroads. The commemorative units quickly became known as NS' Heritage Locomotives. Since the 1820s, hundreds of railroad companies were built, merged, reorganized, and consolidated into what eventually became Norfolk Southern, itself created from the consolidation of Southern Railway and Norfolk and Western Railway in 1982. In 1999, Norfolk Southern acquired a portion of Conrail. The Heritage Locomotives represent railroads that played significant roles in Norfolk Southern’s history. The first unit, Conrail 8098, rolled out of Altoona, Pa., March 15, and the final one, Lackawanna 1074, rolled out of Muncie, Ind., on June 27, 2012. Each paint scheme was modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs. Norfolk Southern employees in Altoona and Chattanooga, Tenn., painted GE ES44AC locomotives, while the EMD SD70ACe units were painted at Progress Rail Services’ facility in Muncie, Ind. The Heritage Locomotives are used in freight service across Norfolk Southern’s 19,500-mile, 22-state network. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern Heritage unit 8114 “Norfolk Southern” at Warrior Coal, Nebo, Ky

On June 24th, 2022, I caught Norfolk Southern Heritage unit 8114 “Norfolk Southern” as it prepared to begin loading at the Warrior Coal Loop outside Nebo, Kentucky! It’s one of 20 locomotives painted as Heritage units by NS. It’s been just over 10 years since the first engine rolled out and I’ve been fortunate to have photographed all 20 of them out working on the road!

According to the NS website: As part of its 30th anniversary celebration in 2012, NS painted 20 new locomotives in the color schemes of predecessor railroads. The commemorative units quickly became known as NS’ Heritage Locomotives.

Since the 1820s, hundreds of railroad companies were built, merged, reorganized, and consolidated into what eventually became Norfolk Southern, itself created from the consolidation of Southern Railway and Norfolk and Western Railway in 1982. In 1999, Norfolk Southern acquired a portion of Conrail. The Heritage Locomotives represent railroads that played significant roles in Norfolk Southern’s history. The first unit, Conrail 8098, rolled out of Altoona, Pa., March 15, and the final one, Lackawanna 1074, rolled out of Muncie, Ind., on June 27, 2012.

Each paint scheme was modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs. Norfolk Southern employees in Altoona and Chattanooga, Tenn., painted GE ES44AC locomotives, while the EMD SD70ACe units were painted at Progress Rail Services’ facility in Muncie, Ind. The Heritage Locomotives are used in freight service across Norfolk Southern’s 19,500-mile, 22-state network.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 130.

Digital Photo Art - Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Louisville locomotive 2013 approaches the US 70 overpass, near Bremen, Kentucky as it heads north with a load of coal for the Louisville, Gas and Electric power plant, outside of Louisville, Kentucky on January 19th, 2023. Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens at 4x Zoom, f/1.8, 1/90, ISO 20, in 4K video Mode. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #iphonephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #coaltrain #pal #kentuckytrains #paducahandlouisvillerailway #iphone14pro

Digital Photo Art – Paducah and Louisville Railway LGE coal train northbound around Bremen, Ky

Digital Photo Art – Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Louisville locomotive 2013 approaches the US 70 overpass, near Bremen, Kentucky as it heads north with a load of coal for the Louisville, Gas and Electric power plant, outside of Louisville, Kentucky on January 19th, 2023.

Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens at 4x Zoom, f/1.8, 1/90, ISO 20, in 4K video Mode.

Evansville Western Railway 4510 and Paducah & Louisville Railway 4523 lead empty coal train WYX3 as it passes through the wetlands area on the way to pickup another load of coal at the Warrior Coal Mine loop outside of Nebo, Kentucky, on February 13th, 2023. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #csx #trainsfromadrone #kentuckytrains #paducahandlouisvillerailway #coaltrain #PAL

Evansville Western Railway 4510 and Paducah & Louisville Railway 4523 at Wetlands

Evansville Western Railway 4510 and Paducah & Louisville Railway 4523 lead empty coal train WYX3 as it passes through the wetlands area on the way to pickup another load of coal at the Warrior Coal Mine loop outside of Nebo, Kentucky, on February 13th, 2023.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville 4512 brings up the DPU end of empty coal train WYX3 as it passes through a wetlands area on the way to pickup another load of coal at the Warrior Coal Mine loop outside of Nebo, Kentucky, as the train is reflected in the calm waters on February 13th, 2023. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #csx #trainsfromadrone #kentuckytrains #paducahandlouisvillerailway #coaltrain #PAL

Paducah and Louisville Railway WYX3 heads to Warrior Coal Mine, Nebo, Ky

Paducah and Louisville 4512 brings up the DPU end of empty coal train WYX3 as it passes through a wetlands area on the way to pickup another load of coal at the Warrior Coal Mine loop outside of Nebo, Kentucky, as the train is reflected in the calm waters on February 13th, 2023.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 110.

Indiana Southern Railroad locomotive 3382 leads an empty coal train through downtown Linton, Indiana as the Indiana Railroad Santa train sits on the main so Santa can pay a visit to the kids in the community. The ISRR empty coal train is headed to Bear Run Mine, just outside Dugger, IN for another load of coal. According to Wikipedia: The Indiana Southern Railroad (reporting mark ISRR) is a short line or Class III railroad operating in the United States state of Indiana. It began operations in 1992 as a RailTex property and was acquired by RailAmerica in 2000. RailAmerica was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in December 2012. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Indiana Southern Railroad locomotive 3382 leads an empty coal train at Linton, IN

Indiana Southern Railroad locomotive 3382 leads an empty coal train through downtown Linton, Indiana as the Indiana Railroad Santa train sits on the main so Santa can pay a visit to the kids in the community.

The ISRR empty coal train is headed to Bear Run Mine, just outside Dugger, IN for another load of coal.

According to Wikipedia: The Indiana Southern Railroad (reporting mark ISRR) is a short line or Class III railroad operating in the United States state of Indiana. It began operations in 1992 as a RailTex property and was acquired by RailAmerica in 2000. RailAmerica was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in December 2012.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130.

CSX C002 crosses over the diamond at Trident on the Henderson Subdivision, after coming off the Morganfield Branch after picking up a load of coal from Warrior Coal mine, as they head into CSX Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Ky on January 25th, 2023. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/100, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #trainsfromtheair #csxhendersonsubdivision #kentuckytrains

CSX C002 crosses over the diamond at Trident at Madisonville, Ky

CSX C002 crosses over the diamond at Trident on the Henderson Subdivision, after coming off the Morganfield Branch after picking up a load of coal from Warrior Coal mine, as they head into CSX Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Ky on January 25th, 2023.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/100, ISO 100.

Savatrans SVTX 1981 and Evansville Western 4519 head up an empty coal train as it snakes through the countryside at the Sitran Dock at West Franklin, Indiana as the train waits for a relief crew to show up to take it to the Sugar Camp Mine in Akin IL for another load. The Chris Cline Group are owners of the company “Savatrans” which purchased three ES44AC locomotives that operate from Sugar Camp Mine in Akin, IL to West Franklin, IN near the Mount Vernon/West Franklin area. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #coaltrain

SVTX 1981 and Evansville Western 4519 wait for a crew at West Franklin, IN

Savatrans SVTX 1981 and Evansville Western 4519 head up an empty coal train as it snakes through the countryside at the Sitran Dock at West Franklin, Indiana as the train waits for a relief crew to show up to take it to the Sugar Camp Mine in Akin IL for another load on February 4th, 2023.

The Chris Cline Group are owners of the company “Savatrans” which purchased three ES44AC locomotives that operate from Sugar Camp Mine in Akin, IL to West Franklin, IN near the Mount Vernon/West Franklin area.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 200.

CSX C002 crosses over the diamond at Trident on the Henderson Subdivision, after coming off the Morganfield Branch after picking up a load of coal from Warrior Coal mine, as they head into CSX Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Ky on January 25th, 2023. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/120, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #trainsfromtheair #csxhendersonsubdivision #kentuckytrains

CSX C002 crosses over the diamond at Trident at Madisonville, Ky

CSX C002 crosses over the diamond at Trident on the Henderson Subdivision, after coming off the Morganfield Branch after picking up a load of coal from Warrior Coal mine, as they head into CSX Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Ky on January 25th, 2023.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/120, ISO 120.

February 8, 2020 - BNSF 6353 & CN 2126 lead a northbound empty coal train, 7,400ft (135 car), with BNSF 5997 as the trailing DPU. Here it makes it's way north through the valley approaching Caneyville, Kentucky where it will meet up with a fresh crew to take the train on to Louisville.

Photography/Art Challenge – Day 6 of 10

My Railroad Photography as Art

My niece Kelly R Gates has nominated me to share my artwork for 10 days and to nominate another artist to do the same. My take on this challenge is to create what I consider photographic Art pieces from some of my railroad photography.

Now, I realize there are now AI programs out there these days that can create just about any type of art pieces for you with just words, but as most of you know I’m a visual person and all the pieces I post over the next 10 days will be created in Photoshop by me from photographs I have shot, not with AI Software.

I know that this type of art isn’t for everyone, but I do like to get outside the box and my comfort zone from time to time, as I think it’s good for my creative eye. I’d appreciate your constructive thoughts and comments!

For today’s digital photographic art piece, I’ve selected this shot from September 4, 2019 – A BNSF local works on picking up cars at BNSF’s Rices Point Yard in Duluth, Minnesota.

On Day 6 I nominate fellow railfan photographer Travis Dewitz to share his art (whatever type he wants to share) ~ I know he has plenty as he hopefully joins in on the 10-day art challenge!!!!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @550mm, f/7.1, 1/500, ISO 640, Available for purchase in my store at https://pixels.com/featured/digital-art-bnsf-6353-leads-coal-train-jim-pearson.html

CSXT 3011 and 428 lead loaded coal train C002 through the countryside as they head south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on January 23rd, 2023, just north of Kelly, Ky. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1500, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #trainsfromtheair#csxhendersonsubdivision

CSX Loaded coal train C002 heads south towards Kelly, Ky

CSXT 3011 and 428 lead loaded coal train C002 through the countryside as they head south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on January 23rd, 2023, just north of Kelly, Ky.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1500, ISO 120.

CSXT 813 pulls past the old C&O Depot at Thurmond, West Virginia as it heads east with loaded coal train C206 on the New River Subdivision on November 3rd, 2022. According to Wikipedia: Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was five at the 2020 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with several businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The C&O passenger railway depot in town was renovated in 1995 and Amtrak stops there 3 times a week. The entire town is a designated historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of Thurmond is owned by the National Park Service for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Thurmond is the least-populous municipality in West Virginia. During the June 14, 2005, city elections six of the city's seven residents sought elected office. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSXT 813 pulls past the old C&O Depot at Thurmond, West Virginia

CSXT 813 pulls past the old C&O Depot at Thurmond, West Virginia as it heads east with loaded coal train C206 on the New River Subdivision on November 3rd, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was five at the 2020 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with several businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.

The C&O passenger railway depot in town was renovated in 1995 and Amtrak stops there 3 times a week. The entire town is a designated historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Most of Thurmond is owned by the National Park Service for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Thurmond is the least-populous municipality in West Virginia. During the June 14, 2005, city elections six of the city’s seven residents sought elected office.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 130.

Norfolk Southern Heritage 1072 “Illinois Terminal” locomotive and Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky locomotive 4522, brings up the rear of a loaded coal train as they head north at Central City, Kentucky on June 24th, 2022, with a load for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant, outside Louisville, KY. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern Heritage 1072 “Illinois Terminal” at Central City, KY

Norfolk Southern Heritage 1072 “Illinois Terminal” locomotive and Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky locomotive 4522, brings up the rear of a loaded coal train as they head north at Central City, Kentucky on June 24th, 2022, with a load for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant, outside Louisville, KY.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 110.

On June 24th, 2022, I caught Norfolk Southern Heritage unit 8114 "Norfolk Southern" as it prepared to begin loading at the Warrior Coal Loop outside Nebo, Kentucky! It;s one of 20 locomotives painted as Heritage units by NS. It’s been just over 10 years since the first engine rolled out and I;ve been fortunate to have photographed all 20 of them out working on the road! According to the NS website: As part of its 30th anniversary celebration in 2012, NS painted 20 new locomotives in the color schemes of predecessor railroads. The commemorative units quickly became known as NS' Heritage Locomotives. Since the 1820s, hundreds of railroad companies were built, merged, reorganized, and consolidated into what eventually became Norfolk Southern, itself created from the consolidation of Southern Railway and Norfolk and Western Railway in 1982. In 1999, Norfolk Southern acquired a portion of Conrail. The Heritage Locomotives represent railroads that played significant roles in Norfolk Southern’s history. The first unit, Conrail 8098, rolled out of Altoona, Pa., March 15, and the final one, Lackawanna 1074, rolled out of Muncie, Ind., on June 27, 2012. Each paint scheme was modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs. Norfolk Southern employees in Altoona and Chattanooga, Tenn., painted GE ES44AC locomotives, while the EMD SD70ACe units were painted at Progress Rail Services; facility in Muncie, Ind. The Heritage Locomotives are used in freight service across Norfolk Southern;s 19,500-mile, 22-state network. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern Heritage unit 8114 “Norfolk Southern” at Warrior Coal Mine, Nebo, KY

On June 24th, 2022, I caught Norfolk Southern Heritage unit 8114 “Norfolk Southern” as it prepared to begin loading at the Warrior Coal Loop outside Nebo, Kentucky! It;s one of 20 locomotives painted as Heritage units by NS. It’s been just over 10 years since the first engine rolled out and I;ve been fortunate to have photographed all 20 of them out working on the road!

According to the NS website: As part of its 30th anniversary celebration in 2012, NS painted 20 new locomotives in the color schemes of predecessor railroads. The commemorative units quickly became known as NS’ Heritage Locomotives.

Since the 1820s, hundreds of railroad companies were built, merged, reorganized, and consolidated into what eventually became Norfolk Southern, itself created from the consolidation of Southern Railway and Norfolk and Western Railway in 1982. In 1999, Norfolk Southern acquired a portion of Conrail. The Heritage Locomotives represent railroads that played significant roles in Norfolk Southern’s history. The first unit, Conrail 8098, rolled out of Altoona, Pa., March 15, and the final one, Lackawanna 1074, rolled out of Muncie, Ind., on June 27, 2012.

Each paint scheme was modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs. Norfolk Southern employees in Altoona and Chattanooga, Tenn., painted GE ES44AC locomotives, while the EMD SD70ACe units were painted at Progress Rail Services; facility in Muncie, Ind. The Heritage Locomotives are used in freight service across Norfolk Southern;s 19,500-mile, 22-state network.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.

BNSF 5649 sits on the inside loop at Calvert City Terminal, (CCT) as the sun rises over the train while another day of railroading begins on April 27th, 2022, on the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL). CCT is located at Calvert City, Kentucky off the Paducah and Louisville Railway line and receives coal daily from either BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX and of course PAL as well. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 170mm, f/5, 1/2500, ISO 320, -2 stops. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

BNSF 5649 sits on the inside loop at Calvert City Terminal at Sunrise, Calvert City, Kentucky

BNSF 5649 sits on the inside loop at Calvert City Terminal, (CCT) as the sun rises over the train while another day of railroading begins on April 27th, 2022, on the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL). CCT is located at Calvert City, Kentucky off the Paducah and Louisville Railway line and receives coal daily from either BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX and of course PAL as well.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 170mm, f/5, 1/2500, ISO 320, -2 stops.

On March 19th, 2022, CSX E895 with 1776, CSX's Spirit of our Armed Forces unit sits tied down east of Avon yard at Craft Runner outside of Indianapolis, Indiana on the Indianapolis Terminal Subdivision. This is one of three specialty painted units done by CSXT honoring troops, first responders and Law Enforcement. I had hoped to chase it moving south to Princeton, IN where it will load their train, but it didn’t happen until after dark. According to the CSXT website: new spirit of service and gratitude is rolling across the CSX rail network in the form of three locomotives that have been repainted and renamed in honor of our nation's military and first responders. The one-of-a-kind locomotives - the Spirit of our Armed Forces, the Spirit of our First Responders, and the Spirit of our Law Enforcement - are helping promote the CSX Pride in Service program, a signature community investment initiative with a goal of positively impacting 100,000 military service members, veterans, first responders and their families by 2020. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 240mm, f/5.3, 1/400, ISO 180. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

CSX E895 with 1776, CSX’s Spirit of our Armed Forces unit sits tied down outside of Indianapolis, Indiana

On March 19th, 2022, CSX E895 with 1776, CSX’s Spirit of our Armed Forces unit sits tied down east of Avon yard at Craft Runner outside of Indianapolis, Indiana on the Indianapolis Terminal Subdivision. This is one of three specialty painted units done by CSXT honoring troops, first responders and Law Enforcement. I had hoped to chase it moving south to Princeton, IN where it will load their train, but it didn’t happen until after dark.

According to the CSXT website: new spirit of service and gratitude is rolling across the CSX rail network in the form of three locomotives that have been repainted and renamed in honor of our nation’s military and first responders.

The one-of-a-kind locomotives – the Spirit of our Armed Forces, the Spirit of our First Responders, and the Spirit of our Law Enforcement – are helping promote the CSX Pride in Service program, a signature community investment initiative with a goal of positively impacting 100,000 military service members, veterans, first responders and their families by 2020.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 240mm, f/5.3, 1/400, ISO 180.