Paducah and Louisville's (PAL) University of Kentucky locomotives, 2012 and 4522 lead loaded Louisville Gas and Electric coal train as it works north on the Warrior lead, passing the CSX PeeVee Spur at Madisonville, Kentucky on March 30th, 2022. The two locomotives have been painted to commemorate the NCAA wins by the University of Kentucky and they’ve also got a couple painted for the University of Louisville’s wins as well in the system. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 200 #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

PAL University of Kentucky locomotives, 2012 and 4522 lead loaded coal train from Warrior Coal Mine, Madisonville, KY

Paducah and Louisville’s (PAL) University of Kentucky locomotives, 2012 and 4522 lead loaded Louisville Gas and Electric coal train as it works north on the Warrior lead, passing the CSX PeeVee Spur at Madisonville, Kentucky on March 30th, 2022.

The two locomotives have been painted to commemorate the NCAA wins by the University of Kentucky and they’ve also got a couple painted for the University of Louisville’s wins as well in the system.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 200

Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal, and NS 8090 bring up the rear of a coal train as they at the Warrior Coal Mine loop, outside Madisonville, Kentucky on March 18th, 2022. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal, and NS 8090 load at Warrior Coal, Madisonville, KY

Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal, and NS 8090 bring up the rear of a coal train as they at the Warrior Coal Mine loop, outside Madisonville, Kentucky on March 18th, 2022.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 100.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

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: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 200 #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

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 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: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 200

The unmanned CSX DPU's on a combined 12,000 ft empty coal train on E302 passes loaded military train S864 sitting in the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision on March 8th, 2022. According to the web: DPU - Stands for Distributed Power Unit, a locomotive set capable of remote-control operation in conjunction with locomotive units at the train's head end. DPUs are placed in the middle or at the rear of heavy trains (such as coal, grain, soda ash and even manifest) to help climb steep grades. CSX S864 is a Rose Lake, IL - Hopkinsville, Ky train and was returning the military equipment to Ft. Campbell, Ky from training exercises in the west, where Ft. Campbell Rail picked the train up off the Ft. Campbell wye connection and took it onto the post. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

A view from the top of CSX E302 DPU’s at Kelly, Kentucky

The unmanned CSX DPU’s on a combined 12,000 ft empty coal train on E302 passes loaded military train S864 sitting in the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision on March 8th, 2022.

According to the web: DPU – Stands for Distributed Power Unit, a locomotive set capable of remote-control operation in conjunction with locomotive units at the train’s head end. DPUs are placed in the middle or at the rear of heavy trains (such as coal, grain, soda ash and even manifest) to help climb steep grades.

CSX S864 is a Rose Lake, IL – Hopkinsville, Ky train and was returning the military equipment to Ft. Campbell, Ky from training exercises in the west, where Ft. Campbell Rail picked the train up off the Ft. Campbell wye connection and took it onto the post.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CSXT 3026 leads a combined 12,000 ft empty coal train E302 as it passes loaded military train S864 sitting in the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision on March 8th, 2022. CSX S864 is a Rose Lake, IL - Hopkinsville, Ky train and was returning the military equipment to Ft. Campbell, Ky from training exercises in the west, where Ft. Campbell Rail picked the train up off the Ft. Campbell Wye connection and took it onto the post. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSX E302 passes military train S864 at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision

CSXT 3026 leads a combined 12,000 ft empty coal train E302 as it passes loaded military train S864 sitting in the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision on March 8th, 2022.

CSX S864 is a Rose Lake, IL – Hopkinsville, Ky train and was returning the military equipment to Ft. Campbell, Ky from training exercises in the west, where Ft. Campbell Rail picked the train up off the Ft. Campbell Wye connection and took it onto the post.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 120.

CSXT 397 leads loaded coal train Z419 across the Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky as they head south on the Henderson Subdivision. The train ran from the Evansville Western Railway to Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Ky where it was picked up by a Paducah and Louisville Railway crew, who took it on south on their line to the loadout at Calvert City, KY on February 18th, 2022. I love the way the shadows play a big part in this image! I did a live video here of this train and it was really cool to watch the shadows come across the bridge before the train came into view. It’s on my page if you’d like to watch it. I’ve been wanting to catch this shot for some time now. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSX B419 heads south over the Ohio River with a load of coal at Henderson, Kentucky

CSXT 397 leads loaded coal train Z419 across the Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky as they head south on the Henderson CSXT 397 leads loaded Coke train B419 across the Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky as they head south on the Henderson Subdivision. The train ran from Chicago to Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Ky where it was picked up by a Paducah and Louisville Railway crew, who took it on south on their line to the loadout at Calvert City, KY on February 18th, 2022.

I love the way the shadows play a big part in this image! I did a live video here of this train and it was really cool to watch the shadows come across the bridge before the train came into view. It’s on my page if you’d like to watch it. I’ve been wanting to catch this shot for some time now.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 110.

The afternoon sun moves more toward the southwest where it illuminates the ice-covered trees surrounding Gum Lick Trestle as loaded coal train CSX N319 makes its way south, between Kelly and Crofton, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on February 5th, 2022. CSX N319 runs between Sugar Camp Mine (Akin, IL) on the EVWR to Santee Cooper's Cross Generating Station in Cross, SC, via Chattanooga, TN I spent the better part of the whole day waiting for CSX to send a northbound train my way, as the light was better for showing the ice-covered trees due to the winter storm that moved across the region. However, it wasn’t to be and so to make the best of the situation this is one of several going away shots I made that day. Don’t get me wrong, I like going away shots and I’m very happy with how this one came out, but there were several shots I had lined up for this ice storm event that just didn’t get captured like I wanted. There’ll be other times and situations though! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/3000, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

CSX N319 heads south over Gum Lick Trestle at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision

The afternoon sun moves more toward the southwest where it illuminates the ice-covered trees surrounding Gum Lick Trestle as loaded coal train CSX N319 makes its way south, between Kelly and Crofton, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on February 5th, 2022. CSX N319 runs between Sugar Camp Mine (Akin, IL) on the EVWR to Santee Cooper’s Cross Generating Station in Cross, SC, via Chattanooga, TN

I spent the better part of the whole day waiting for CSX to send a northbound train my way, as the light was better for showing the ice-covered trees due to the winter storm that moved across the region. However, it wasn’t to be and so to make the best of the situation this is one of several going away shots I made that day. Don’t get me wrong, I like going away shots and I’m very happy with how this one came out, but there were several shots I had lined up for this ice storm event that just didn’t get captured like I wanted. There’ll be other times and situations though!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/3000, ISO 120.

Paducah and Louisville Railway's University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 bring up the rear of an empty Louisville Gas and Electric coal train, as it heads up the lead to the Warrior coal mine loop, outside of Madisonville, Ky on an icy December 3rd, 2022. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 140. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Paducah and Louisville Railway’s University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012

Paducah and Louisville Railway’s University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 bring up the rear of an empty Louisville Gas and Electric coal train, as it heads up the lead to the Warrior coal mine loop, outside of Madisonville, Ky on an icy February 3rd, 2022.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 140.

BNSF 25th Anniversary unit 6078 and 9282 bring up the rear of a loaded coal train as DPUs as they head into the loop at four Rivers Terminal at West Paducah, Kentucky on December 29th, 2021. Four Rivers Marine Terminal (FRT) is owned by SCH Services, LLC, and located at West Paducah, KY at Ohio River mile marker 943. Four Rivers has an annual throughput capacity of 10 MM tons. Illinois Basin and Powder River Basin coals are transferred from railcar to barge here. According to SCH Services Website: It is primarily designed as a direct train-to-barge transfer terminal, FRT offers its customers an unparalleled combination of access to major waterways and multiple Class I railroads. Our connection to the Paducah and Illinois Railroad gives FRT direct access to the BNSF, CN, and PAL railroads. Considering only the modern Olmsted Lock and Dam separates the terminal from the Mississippi River, FRT presents a unique option for rail-bound shipments destined for both southeastern customers and export through New Orleans. Four Rivers Terminal boasts a double, 150-car rail loop, coupled with a material handling system capable of transloading 4,000 tons of dry bulk material per hour. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

BNSF 25th Anniversary unit 6078 enters the four rivers loop at West Paducah, KY

BNSF 25th Anniversary unit 6078 and 9282 bring up the rear of a loaded coal train as DPUs as they head into the loop at four Rivers Terminal at West Paducah, Kentucky on December 29th, 2021.

Four Rivers Marine Terminal (FRT) is owned by SCH Services, LLC, and located at West Paducah, KY at Ohio River mile marker 943. Four Rivers has an annual throughput capacity of 10 MM tons. Illinois Basin and Powder River Basin coals are transferred from railcar to barge here.

According to SCH Services Website: It is primarily designed as a direct train-to-barge transfer terminal, FRT offers its customers an unparalleled combination of access to major waterways and multiple Class I railroads. Our connection to the Paducah and Illinois Railroad gives FRT direct access to the BNSF, CN, and PAL railroads. Considering only the modern Olmsted Lock and Dam separates the terminal from the Mississippi River, FRT presents a unique option for rail-bound shipments destined for both southeastern customers and export through New Orleans. Four Rivers Terminal boasts a double, 150-car rail loop, coupled with a material handling system capable of transloading 4,000 tons of dry bulk material per hour.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 130.

Norfolk Southern 7603 and 8410 approach the western entrance to the Gallitzin Tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania as they head west on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line on November 3rd, 2021, with an empty coal train. According to Wikipedia: The Gallitzin Tunnels in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, are a set of three adjacent tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains in western Pennsylvania. They were completed in 1854, 1855, and 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of the cross-state route that includes the nearby Horseshoe Curve to the east. Their ownership has since passed to Penn Central Transportation Company, then to Conrail, and most recently to the Norfolk Southern Railway. The tunnels are currently used by Norfolk Southern freight trains and Amtrak Pennsylvanian passenger trains. The first tunnel, which is the middle of the three bores through the mountain, was built by the PRR from 1851 to 1854. Originally named "Summit" Tunnel, it is 3,612 feet long at an elevation of 2,167 feet above mean sea level and is known today as the Allegheny Tunnel. The second tunnel, the southernmost of the bores, was constructed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1852 to 1855 as part of the New Portage Railroad (NPRR). In 1857, the PRR bought the New Portage Railroad from the Commonwealth and appropriated the "Allegheny" name for its "Summit" tunnel. The PRR took the New Portage Tunnel out of service shortly thereafter. In the 1890s, it was expanded to two tracks and used as the primary route for eastbound traffic. The third tunnel, the Gallitzin Tunnel, was begun in 1902 and opened in 1904 immediately to the north of the Allegheny Tunnel. In the early 1990s, Conrail (with money from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) enlarged the Allegheny and New Portage Tunnels to accommodate double-stack container on flatcar (COFC) trains. The New Portage Tunnel was opened for eastbound COFC traffic in 1993. The Allegheny Tunnel was enlarged from its original 1854 cross-section to contain two tracks for that could be used for double-stack rail transport in either direction. The work was completed in September 1995, and the Gallitzin Tunnel (which was not enlarged) was taken out of service. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 22mm, f/4.5, 1/800, ISO 560. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk Southern 7603 and 8410 approach the western entrance to the Gallitzin Tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania

Norfolk Southern 7603 and 8410 approach the western entrance to the Gallitzin Tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania as they head west on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line on November 3rd, 2021, with an empty coal train.

According to Wikipedia: The Gallitzin Tunnels in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, are a set of three adjacent tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains in western Pennsylvania. They were completed in 1854, 1855, and 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of the cross-state route that includes the nearby Horseshoe Curve to the east. Their ownership has since passed to Penn Central Transportation Company, then to Conrail, and most recently to the Norfolk Southern Railway. The tunnels are currently used by Norfolk Southern freight trains and Amtrak Pennsylvanian passenger trains.

The first tunnel, which is the middle of the three bores through the mountain, was built by the PRR from 1851 to 1854. Originally named “Summit” Tunnel, it is 3,612 feet long at an elevation of 2,167 feet above mean sea level and is known today as the Allegheny Tunnel.

The second tunnel, the southernmost of the bores, was constructed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1852 to 1855 as part of the New Portage Railroad (NPRR). In 1857, the PRR bought the New Portage Railroad from the Commonwealth and appropriated the “Allegheny” name for its “Summit” tunnel. The PRR took the New Portage Tunnel out of service shortly thereafter. In the 1890s, it was expanded to two tracks and used as the primary route for eastbound traffic.

The third tunnel, the Gallitzin Tunnel, was begun in 1902 and opened in 1904 immediately to the north of the Allegheny Tunnel.

In the early 1990s, Conrail (with money from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) enlarged the Allegheny and New Portage Tunnels to accommodate double-stack container on flatcar (COFC) trains. The New Portage Tunnel was opened for eastbound COFC traffic in 1993. The Allegheny Tunnel was enlarged from its original 1854 cross-section to contain two tracks for that could be used for double-stack rail transport in either direction. The work was completed in September 1995, and the Gallitzin Tunnel (which was not enlarged) was taken out of service.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 22mm, f/4.5, 1/800, ISO 560.

Norfolk Southern 4290 leads an empty coal train north down Main Street past the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church at Brownsville, Pennsylvania on the NS Mon line. I never knew there was street running in this area until fellow railfan Ben Sutton put me onto this spot! Came away from here with several shots that I love and will be posting over the next weeks! Thanks Ben! According to Wikipedia: The Mon Line is an 85-mile-long Norfolk Southern rail line which runs along the Monongahela River for most of its route. The predecessor of this line is the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railroad. The northern portion (Pittsburgh to West Brownsville) of the line is the former main line of the Monongahela Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the southern portion (West Brownsville to Waynesburg) was once part of the Monongahela Railway's Waynesburg Southern Branch. Its northern terminus was formerly at the junction with the Panhandle Route at the Panhandle Bridge in Pittsburgh, and its southern terminus was near Brownsville, Pennsylvania where it had a connection to the Monongahela Railway. Conrail transferred the West Brownsville to Waynesburg trackage from the Waynesburg Southern Branch to the former main line of the PRR Monongahela Division and it became the new Mon Line. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern 4290 leads an empty coal train street running at Brownsville, PA

Norfolk Southern 4290 leads an empty coal train north down Main Street past the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church at Brownsville, Pennsylvania on the NS Mon line. I never knew there was street running in this area until fellow railfan Ben Sutton put me onto this spot! Came away from here with several shots that I love and will be posting over the next weeks! Thanks Ben!

According to Wikipedia: The Mon Line is an 85-mile-long Norfolk Southern rail line which runs along the Monongahela River for most of its route.

The predecessor of this line is the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railroad. The northern portion (Pittsburgh to West Brownsville) of the line is the former main line of the Monongahela Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the southern portion (West Brownsville to Waynesburg) was once part of the Monongahela Railway’s Waynesburg Southern Branch.

Its northern terminus was formerly at the junction with the Panhandle Route at the Panhandle Bridge in Pittsburgh, and its southern terminus was near Brownsville, Pennsylvania where it had a connection to the Monongahela Railway.

Conrail transferred the West Brownsville to Waynesburg trackage from the Waynesburg Southern Branch to the former main line of the PRR Monongahela Division and it became the new Mon Line.

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

Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3371, 3388, 3372 and 3387, lead an empty coal train north, past Kent Grain in Plainville, Indiana on October 9th, 2021. The crew will take the train to Elnora, IN where they tie it down for the Indiana Railroad (INRD) to pick up. The INRD crew will then take the train on their railroad to Bear Run Mine at Carlisle, IN for another load of coal for the Petersburg Generating Station at Petersburg, IN. 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 itself acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in December 2012. They operate 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville, Indiana. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Indiana Southern Railroad passes Kent Grain as it heads south at Plainville, Indiana

Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3371, 3388, 3372 and 3387, lead an empty coal train north, past Kent Grain in Plainville, Indiana on October 9th, 2021. The crew will take the train to Elnora, IN where they tie it down for the Indiana Railroad (INRD) to pick up. The INRD crew will then take the train on their railroad to Bear Run Mine near Dugger, IN for another load of coal for the Petersburg Generating Station at Petersburg, IN.

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 itself acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in December 2012. They operate 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville, Indiana.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 100.

On October 13th, 2021, I spent most of the day trackside with Virtual Railfan Moderator UP Dave, (David Siteman) showing him around some of my favorite spots in Western Kentucky and southern Indiana. We both had a great day trackside, and it was finally great to meet him in person! If you’re not already a member, check out Virtual Railfan Live and Virtual Railfan Lounge here on Facebook! Here we find CSXT 5110 as it leads empty coal train CSX E300-12, a Stilesboro, GA (Plant Bowen) to Effingham, IL (CN) train, across the Ohio River bridge from Henderson, KY on the way north to Evansville, IN on the Henderson Subdivision. This bridge was originally built by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and was intended to be double tracked eventually, but it never happened. According to Wikipedia: The Bridge spans the Ohio River between Henderson, Kentucky and Vanderburgh County, Indiana. The bridge is owned by the CSX Transportation. The original bridge was constructed in 1884 to 1885 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad at a cost of $2,000,000. The single-tracked bridge was approximately 3,686 feet (1,123 m) long, and its longest span, at 525 feet (160 m), was reputed to be the longest trestle span in the world at that time. The bridge ran from the northern edge of Main Street in Henderson to the low water mark on the Indiana side, resting on 15 stone piers. It was designed to carry two 118,000-pound (54,000 kg) engines followed by 60,000-pound (27,000 kg) coal tenders, and its maximum uniform load capacity was 2,500 pounds per foot (3,700 kg/m). A crowd of 8,000 watched the first train cross the bridge on July 13, 1885. Prior to the opening of the bridge, railroad passengers and freight had to be transferred to a ferry for the river crossing. The bridge reduced the travel time by several hours. By 1930 the volume and weight of train traffic were taxing the capabilities of the original bridge. Construction of a new bridge just upstream of the old one began in May 1931. The new bridge, costing over $3,000,000, opened on December 31, 1932. Including its approaches, It is 12,123 feet (3,695 m) long, and its span over the main channel is 648 feet (198 m) long. The demolition of the old bridge, using dynamite, was completed on December 11, 1933. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Trackside in Southern Indiana with UP Dave on the CSX Henderson Subdivision

On October 13th, 2021, I spent most of the day trackside with Virtual Railfan Moderator UP Dave, (David Siteman) showing him around some of my favorite spots in Western Kentucky and southern Indiana. We both had a great day trackside, and it was finally great to meet him in person! If you’re not already a member, check out Virtual Railfan Live and Virtual Railfan Lounge here on Facebook!

Here we find CSXT 5110 as it leads empty coal train CSX E300-12, a Stilesboro, GA (Plant Bowen) to Effingham, IL (CN) train, across the Ohio River bridge from Henderson, KY on the way north to Evansville, IN on the Henderson Subdivision. This bridge was originally built by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and was intended to be double tracked eventually, but it never happened.

According to Wikipedia: The Bridge spans the Ohio River between Henderson, Kentucky and Vanderburgh County, Indiana. The bridge is owned by the CSX Transportation.

The original bridge was constructed in 1884 to 1885 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad at a cost of $2,000,000. The single-tracked bridge was approximately 3,686 feet (1,123 m) long, and its longest span, at 525 feet (160 m), was reputed to be the longest trestle span in the world at that time. The bridge ran from the northern edge of Main Street in Henderson to the low water mark on the Indiana side, resting on 15 stone piers. It was designed to carry two 118,000-pound (54,000 kg) engines followed by 60,000-pound (27,000 kg) coal tenders, and its maximum uniform load capacity was 2,500 pounds per foot (3,700 kg/m). A crowd of 8,000 watched the first train cross the bridge on July 13, 1885.

Prior to the opening of the bridge, railroad passengers and freight had to be transferred to a ferry for the river crossing. The bridge reduced the travel time by several hours.

By 1930 the volume and weight of train traffic were taxing the capabilities of the original bridge. Construction of a new bridge just upstream of the old one began in May 1931. The new bridge, costing over $3,000,000, opened on December 31, 1932. Including its approaches, It is 12,123 feet (3,695 m) long, and its span over the main channel is 648 feet (198 m) long. The demolition of the old bridge, using dynamite, was completed on December 11, 1933.

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

Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4522 (UK paint scheme) roll across Interstate 69 at Madisonville, Kentucky as they head north with their loaded coal train, bound for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky on October 5th, 2021. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4522 LGE coal train Northbound at Madisonville, KY

Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4522 (UK paint scheme) roll across Interstate 69 at Madisonville, Kentucky as they head north with their loaded coal train, bound for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky on October 5th, 2021.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 120.

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky Locomotive 4522 and PAL 4504 lead a northbound loaded Louisville Gas and Electric Coal train through a wetlands area as they depart on the Warrior Coal Mine lead, just west of Madisonville, Kentucky, on their way north to Louisville under partly cloudy summer skies. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110, September 13, 2021. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky Locomotive 4522 departs Warrior Coal

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky Locomotive 4522 and PAL 4504 lead a northbound loaded Louisville Gas and Electric Coal train through a wetlands area as they depart on the Warrior Coal Mine lead, just west of Madisonville, Kentucky, on their way north to Louisville under partly cloudy summer skies.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110, September 13, 2021.

The Paducah and Louisville (PAL) LGE coal train, with UK 4522 locomotive leading, pulls off the Warrior Coal Mine lead onto the PAL main as they approach West Yard at Madisonville, Ky. From here they begin their run to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130, September 13, 2021. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville LGE coal train at Madisonville, KY

The Paducah and Louisville (PAL) LGE coal train, with UK 4522 locomotive leading, pulls off the Warrior Coal Mine lead onto the PAL main as they approach West Yard at Madisonville, Ky. From here they begin their run to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130, September 13, 2021.

PAL LG1 loaded coal headed north approaching Rockport, Kentucky Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead the Louisville Gas & Electric loaded coal train north as they round a curve leading into Rockport, Kentucky, on its way to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100, August 17, 2021. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography

PAL LG1 loaded coal headed north approaching Rockport, Kentucky

Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead the Louisville Gas & Electric loaded coal train north as they round a curve leading into Rockport, Kentucky, on its way to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.

Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100, August 17, 2021.

PAL loaded coal headed north through the valley at Spring Lick, Kentucky Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead the Louisville Gas & Electric loaded coal train north through the valley at Spring Lick, Kentucky on its way to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. From the web: "The Paducah and Louisville Railway (reporting marks, PAL) is a regional operation based in Paducah, Kentucky that began operations in 1986 over ex-Illinois Central trackage. Today it utilizes over 260 miles of railroad and is owned by P&L Transportation (previously known as Four Rivers Transportation), which itself is controlled by CSX Corporation (parent company to CSX Transportation, its railroad division). The P&L also operates the Appalachian & Ohio in West Virginia. This road is predominately a coal hauler, which leases CSX's Cowen Subdivision, a former Baltimore & Ohio corridor." Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100, August 17, 2021.

PAL loaded coal headed north through the valley at Spring Lick, Kentucky

Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead the Louisville Gas & Electric loaded coal train north through the valley at Spring Lick, Kentucky on its way to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.

From the web: “The Paducah and Louisville Railway (reporting marks, PAL) is a regional operation based in Paducah, Kentucky that began operations in 1986 over ex-Illinois Central trackage.

Today it utilizes over 260 miles of railroad and is owned by P&L Transportation (previously known as Four Rivers Transportation), which itself is controlled by CSX Corporation (parent company to CSX Transportation, its railroad division).

The P&L also operates the Appalachian & Ohio in West Virginia. This road is predominately a coal hauler, which leases CSX’s Cowen Subdivision, a former Baltimore & Ohio corridor.”

Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100, August 17, 2021.