Indiana Southern IPL load arrives at Petersburg Generating Station

Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3383, 3372, 3371 and 3386 lead their train as they pull their loaded coal train into the Petersburg Generating Station on February 13th, 2021. The ISRR repeats this run 3-6 times a week from Peabody's Wildboar Mine in Lynnville, IN.

According to Wikipedia: The "Petersburg Generating Station is a major coal-fired power plant in Indiana, rated at 2.146-GW nameplate capacity. It is located on the White River near Petersburg in Pike County, Indiana, just 1 mile upstream from a much smaller coal-fired Frank E. Ratts Generating Station. Petersburg G.S. is owned and operated by Indianapolis Power & Light."

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.

Indiana Southern Railroad operates 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville. From Mars Hill (a neighborhood on the southwest side of Indianapolis) southwest through Martinsville and Spencer to Bee Hunter in Greene County, the ISRR runs on tracks that once made up the majority of the former Indianapolis & Vincennes Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. State Route 67 parallels the ISRR along much of this section.

From Bee Hunter to Elnora the ISRR has trackage rights over the Indiana Rail Road. ISRR tracks resume from Elnora through Washington in Daviess County, Petersburg in Pike County, Oakland City in Gibson County, Elberfeld in Warrick County and Daylight in Vanderburgh County before terminating in Evansville along the former New York Central's Evansville & Indianapolis Branch.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon DX 10-20mm lens @20mm f/4.5, 1/1600, ISO 250.

Indiana Southern IPL load arrives at Petersburg Generating Station

Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3383, 3372, 3371 and 3386 lead their train as they pull their loaded coal train into the Petersburg Generating Station on February 13th, 2021. The ISRR repeats this run 3-6 times a week from Peabody’s Wildboar Mine in Lynnville, IN.

According to Wikipedia: The “Petersburg Generating Station is a major coal-fired power plant in Indiana, rated at 2.146-GW nameplate capacity. It is located on the White River near Petersburg in Pike County, Indiana, just 1 mile upstream from a much smaller coal-fired Frank E. Ratts Generating Station. Petersburg G.S. is owned and operated by Indianapolis Power & Light.”

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.

Indiana Southern Railroad operates 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville. From Mars Hill (a neighborhood on the southwest side of Indianapolis) southwest through Martinsville and Spencer to Bee Hunter in Greene County, the ISRR runs on tracks that once made up the majority of the former Indianapolis & Vincennes Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. State Route 67 parallels the ISRR along much of this section.

From Bee Hunter to Elnora the ISRR has trackage rights over the Indiana Rail Road. ISRR tracks resume from Elnora through Washington in Daviess County, Petersburg in Pike County, Oakland City in Gibson County, Elberfeld in Warrick County and Daylight in Vanderburgh County before terminating in Evansville along the former New York Central’s Evansville & Indianapolis Branch.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon DX 10-20mm lens @20mm f/4.5, 1/1600, ISO 250.

Indiana Southern IPL load northbound at Petersburg, IN

Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3383, 3372, 3371 and 3386 lead their train north on the Petersburg Subdivision as they pull through their yard at Oakland City, Indiana on a very cold February 13th, 2021.

They will continue their pull through the freezing snow and ice to the Indiana Power and Light power plant just north of Petersburg, Indiana. They repeat this run 3-6 times a week from Peabody's Wildboar Mine in Lynnville, 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.

Indiana Southern Railroad operates 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville. From Mars Hill (a neighborhood on the southwest side of Indianapolis) southwest through Martinsville and Spencer to Bee Hunter in Greene County, the ISRR runs on tracks that once made up the majority of the former Indianapolis & Vincennes Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. State Route 67 parallels the ISRR along much of this section. 

From Bee Hunter to Elnora the ISRR has trackage rights over the Indiana Rail Road. ISRR tracks resume from Elnora through Washington in Daviess County, Petersburg in Pike County, Oakland City in Gibson County, Elberfeld in Warrick County and Daylight in Vanderburgh County before terminating in Evansville along the former New York Central's Evansville & Indianapolis Branch.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Indiana Southern IPL load northbound at Petersburg, IN

Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3383, 3372, 3371 and 3386 lead their train north on the Petersburg Subdivision as they pull through their yard at Oakland City, Indiana on a very cold February 13th, 2021.

They will continue their pull through the freezing snow and ice to the Indiana Power and Light power plant just north of Petersburg, Indiana. They repeat this run 3-6 times a week from Peabody’s Wildboar Mine in Lynnville, 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.

Indiana Southern Railroad operates 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville. From Mars Hill (a neighborhood on the southwest side of Indianapolis) southwest through Martinsville and Spencer to Bee Hunter in Greene County, the ISRR runs on tracks that once made up the majority of the former Indianapolis & Vincennes Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. State Route 67 parallels the ISRR along much of this section.

From Bee Hunter to Elnora the ISRR has trackage rights over the Indiana Rail Road. ISRR tracks resume from Elnora through Washington in Daviess County, Petersburg in Pike County, Oakland City in Gibson County, Elberfeld in Warrick County and Daylight in Vanderburgh County before terminating in Evansville along the former New York Central’s Evansville & Indianapolis Branch.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

A snowy meet at Slaughters, Kentucky

Another biting cold snow shot from February 17th, 2021 as loaded CSX coal train N302 heads south as empty ethanol train K442 waits in the siding for him to pass at Slaughters, ky on the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 400.

A snowy meet at Slaughters, Kentucky

Another biting cold snow shot from February 17th, 2021 as loaded CSX coal train N302 heads south as empty ethanol train K442 waits in the siding for him to pass at Slaughters, Ky on the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 400.

CSX dashing through the snow with a full load of coal!

Well, along with mostly everyone else it seems around the country we got a lot of snow between Sunday and Monday, at least for our area! I haven't heard the official count, but I'd between 4-8 inches after the first round of the artic front that moved through. They're calling for another round starting tomorrow! 

Anyway, I had to venture out during the storm and see what I could find moving in the cold, blowing snowfall and I caught CSXT 967 and 116 leading N302 as they head south to hopefully warmer weather on February 15th, 2021 on the Henderson Subdivision at the S curve in Nortonville, Kentucky.

It's weather like this that makes me happy I have my all-wheel drive Toyota RAV4!! Just gotta take it slow, bundle up and stay very socially distant from any other vehicles around!! LOL Be careful trackside folks if you decide to get out in this mess!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm DX Lens @ 22mm f/4.5, 1/1250, ISO 140.

CSX dashing through the snow with a full load of coal!

Well, along with mostly everyone else it seems around the country we got a lot of snow between Sunday and Monday, at least for our area! I haven’t heard the official count, but I’d between 4-8 inches after the first round of the artic front that moved through. They’re calling for another round starting tomorrow!

Anyway, I had to venture out during the storm and see what I could find moving in the cold, blowing snowfall and I caught CSXT 967 and 116 leading N302 as they head south to hopefully warmer weather on February 15th, 2021 on the Henderson Subdivision at the S curve in Nortonville, Kentucky.

It’s weather like this that makes me happy I have my all-wheel drive Toyota RAV4!! Just gotta take it slow, bundle up and stay very socially distant from any other vehicles around!! LOL Be careful trackside folks if you decide to get out in this mess!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm DX Lens @ 22mm f/4.5, 1/1250, ISO 140.

Indiana Southern IPL load northbound at Oakland City, IN

Another load of black coal crosses over the Norfolk Southern east-west line as Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3383, 3372, 3371 and 3386 lead their train north on their Petersburg Subdivision at Oakland City, Indiana on a very cold February 13th, 2021.

They will continue their move for another 20-30 miles or so through the freezing snow and ice to the Indiana Power and Light power plant at Petersburg, Indiana. As they repeat this run 3-6 times a week from Peabody's Wildboar Mine in Lynnville, 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.

Indiana Southern Railroad operates 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville. From Mars Hill (a neighborhood on the southwest side of Indianapolis) southwest through Martinsville and Spencer to Bee Hunter in Greene County, the ISRR runs on tracks that once made up the majority of the former Indianapolis & Vincennes Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. State Route 67 parallels the ISRR along much of this section. From Bee Hunter to Elnora the ISRR has trackage rights over the Indiana Rail Road. ISRR tracks resume from Elnora through Washington in Daviess County, Petersburg in Pike County, Oakland City in Gibson County, Elberfeld in Warrick County and Daylight in Vanderburgh County before terminating in Evansville along the former New York Central's Evansville & Indianapolis Branch.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Indiana Southern IPL load northbound at Oakland City, IN

Another load of black coal crosses over the Norfolk Southern east-west line as Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3383, 3372, 3371 and 3386 lead their train north on their Petersburg Subdivision at Oakland City, Indiana on a very cold February 13th, 2021.

They will continue their move for another 20-30 miles or so through the freezing snow and ice to the Indiana Power and Light power plant at Petersburg, Indiana. As they repeat this run 3-6 times a week from Peabody’s Wildboar Mine in Lynnville, 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.

Indiana Southern Railroad operates 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville. From Mars Hill (a neighborhood on the southwest side of Indianapolis) southwest through Martinsville and Spencer to Bee Hunter in Greene County, the ISRR runs on tracks that once made up the majority of the former Indianapolis & Vincennes Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. State Route 67 parallels the ISRR along much of this section. From Bee Hunter to Elnora the ISRR has trackage rights over the Indiana Rail Road. ISRR tracks resume from Elnora through Washington in Daviess County, Petersburg in Pike County, Oakland City in Gibson County, Elberfeld in Warrick County and Daylight in Vanderburgh County before terminating in Evansville along the former New York Central’s Evansville & Indianapolis Branch.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Northbound load of coal at Monarch, Madisonville, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railways (PAL) University of Kentucky engines (SD70MACs) 4522 and 2012 power their way north as they cross over the CSX Mainline on the Henderson Subdivision, at the location known as Monarch, in Madisonville, Kentucky on February 9th, 2021.

They are leading a empty coal train for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant outside of Louisville, Kentucky, after picking up a load of coal the Warrior Coal Mine in Nebo, Ky.

This engine pair has been traveling on this turn for a couple weeks now and always makes for a nice picture!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.

Northbound load of coal at Monarch, Madisonville, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railways (PAL) University of Kentucky engines (SD70MACs) 4522 and 2012 power their way north as they cross over the CSX Mainline on the Henderson Subdivision, at the location known as Monarch, in Madisonville, Kentucky on February 9th, 2021.

They are leading a empty coal train for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant outside of Louisville, Kentucky, after picking up a load of coal the Warrior Coal Mine in Nebo, Ky.

This engine pair has been traveling on this turn for a couple weeks now and always makes for a nice picture!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.

Waiting for a fresh crew

Paducah and Louisville Railways (PAL) two University of Kentucky engines (SD70MACs) 2012 and 4522 sit tied down on the main at West Yard in Madisonville, Kentucky on February 6th, 2021.

They are leading a empty coal train for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant outside of Louisville, Kentucky and are waiting on a fresh crew to take the train onto the Warrior Coal Mine loop at Nebo, Ky for another load of coal.

This engine pair has been traveling on this turn for a couple weeks now and always makes for a nice picture!

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography 

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

Waiting for a fresh crew

Paducah and Louisville Railways (PAL) two University of Kentucky engines (SD70MACs) 2012 and 4522 sit tied down on the main at West Yard in Madisonville, Kentucky on February 6th, 2021.

They are leading a empty coal train for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant outside of Louisville, Kentucky and are waiting on a fresh crew to take the train onto the Warrior Coal Mine loop at Nebo, Ky for another load of coal.

This engine pair has been traveling on this turn for a couple weeks now and always makes for a nice picture!

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

Northbound DPU at Nortonville, Ky

CSXT 3184 peeks over the top of empty coal hoppers as it sits on track 2 approaching the New Salem Church Loop overpass at Nortonville, Kentucky. We're on the Henderson Subdivision on January 30th, 2021, as the train waits for a couple south bounds to pass.

Shooting with long lenses at this focal length (600mm) can be a challenge most of the time, but not difficult! For me, I find that using the lens on a good sturdy monopod (I use a manfroto) and turning off the VR when doing so goes a long way in helping with sharpness. Also, keeping your shutterspeed to at least twice your focal length helps getting sharp images and also paying close attention to your focus. 

In my case, I normally pre-focus  where I want to shoot the picture and wait for the train to arrive there. This allows me to also make sure that my focus is good as at 600mm as sometimes the autofocus has to work hard to focus on the spot I want sharp. When this happens I get it close using the AF and then manually turn my focus ring to get it sharp and then wait for the subject arrives at that point. 

This all works best if you use your focus lock or back focus button. Otherwise if you have your focus set to your front shutter button, when you press the shutter button it'll try to refocus and you may miss the shot you want.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography 

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 1250.

Northbound DPU at Nortonville, Ky

CSXT 3184 peeks over the top of empty coal hoppers as it sits on track 2 approaching the New Salem Church Loop overpass at Nortonville, Kentucky. We’re on the Henderson Subdivision on January 30th, 2021, as the train waits for a couple south bounds to pass.

Shooting with long lenses at this focal length (600mm) can be a challenge most of the time, but not difficult! For me, I find that using the lens on a good sturdy monopod (I use a manfroto) and turning off the VR when doing so goes a long way in helping with sharpness. Also, keeping your shutterspeed to at least twice your focal length helps getting sharp images and also paying close attention to your focus.

In my case, I normally pre-focus where I want to shoot the picture and wait for the train to arrive there. This allows me to also make sure that my focus is good as at 600mm as sometimes the autofocus has to work hard to focus on the spot I want sharp. When this happens I get it close using the AF and then manually turn my focus ring to get it sharp and then wait for the subject arrives at that point.

This all works best if you use your focus lock or back focus button. Otherwise if you have your focus set to your front shutter button, when you press the shutter button it’ll try to refocus and you may miss the shot you want.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 1250.

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Coal empties and loads navigate the S curve at Nortonville, Ky

I was pleasantly surprised when the loaded coal train made it's way past the empties at Nortonville, Ky as I was expecting a different train all together to come around the hill as I was prepared for a ethanol train to pass the empty coal train here. Somehow the loaded coal train snuck in front of him at Mortons Junction, just a few miles up the line.

I could actually hear the difference between the empty and loaded coal trains as they both snaked their way trough the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with their wheel flanges squealing away. The empties had a hollow sound of course and the loads being pulled by CSXT 3157 had a smoother sound as 3157 and it's trailing unit #29 were pulling hard, even through there's a relatively level grade, here on the Henderson Subdivision on January 30th, 2021. 

This is a prime example of why I love long lenses, like my Sigma 150-600mm which was used for this shot! There's no other way to get this shot, with the compression and in your face type of photography. It really adds impact to the image and allows an image that you just can't get without a long lens! When out shooting your pictures always look for unique and different angles and shots to help add impact to your pictures!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 360mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 820.

Coal empties and loads navigate the S curve at Nortonville, Ky

I was pleasantly surprised when the loaded coal train made it’s way past the empties at Nortonville, Ky as I was expecting a different train all together to come around the hill as I was prepared for a ethanol train to pass the empty coal train here. Somehow the loaded coal train snuck in front of him at Mortons Junction, just a few miles up the line.

I could actually hear the difference between the empty and loaded coal trains as they both snaked their way trough the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with their wheel flanges squealing away. The empties had a hollow sound of course and the loads being pulled by CSXT 3157 had a smoother sound as 3157 and it’s trailing unit #29 were pulling hard, even through there’s a relatively level grade, here on the Henderson Subdivision on January 30th, 2021.

This is a prime example of why I love long lenses, like my Sigma 150-600mm which was used for this shot! There’s no other way to get this shot, with the compression and in your face type of photography. It really adds impact to the image and allows an image that you just can’t get without a long lens! When out shooting your pictures always look for unique and different angles and shots to help add impact to your pictures!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 360mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 820.

PAL Blue picking up black coal!

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky (Wildcats) locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead a empty coal under the beltline against the setting sun as they arrive at Warrior Coal Loop in Nebo, Kentucky for another load of black coal on January 23rd, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm DX Lens @15mm f/4, 1/1000, ISO 180.

PAL Blue picking up black coal!

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky (Wildcats) locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead a empty coal under the beltline against the setting sun as they arrive at Warrior Coal Loop in Nebo, Kentucky for another load of black coal on January 23rd, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm DX Lens @15mm f/4, 1/1000, ISO 180.

Climbing the grade at Robards, Kentucky

On New Years Day, January 1st, 2021, CSX loaded coal train N307 pulls upgrade from the north end of Robards, Kentucky as it makes its way south on the Henderson Subdivision with CSXT 969 leading the way.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @550mm, f/8.5, 1/500, ISO 640.

Climbing the grade at Robards, Kentucky

On New Years Day, January 1st, 2021, CSX loaded coal train N307 pulls upgrade from the north end of Robards, Kentucky as it makes its way south on the Henderson Subdivision with CSXT 969 leading the way.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @550mm, f/8.5, 1/500, ISO 640.

CSXT 3222 heads north on EVWR out of Evansville, Indiana

After picking up empty coal train CSX E302 (Stilesboro, GA - Evansville, IN) at Howell Yard, a Evansville Western Railway crew heads north on their railroad as they approach the S curve, just south of the Peerless Road Crossing at in Evansville, Indiana with CSXT 3222 leading the way on New Years Day, January 1st, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @270mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 5000.

CSXT 3222 heads north on EVWR out of Evansville, Indiana

After picking up empty coal train CSX E302 (Stilesboro, GA – Evansville, IN) at Howell Yard, a Evansville Western Railway crew heads north on their railroad as they approach the S curve, just south of the Peerless Road Crossing at in Evansville, Indiana with CSXT 3222 leading the way on New Years Day, January 1st, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @270mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 5000.

CSX load of coal SB at Nortonville, Kentucky

CSX N302 (Evansville, IN (EVWR) - Stilesboro, GA) passes under the highway 62 overpass at Nortonville, Kentucky as CSXT 3196 leads a loaded coal train along track two as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision on a beautiful winter afternoon.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

CSX load of coal SB at Nortonville, Kentucky

CSX N302 (Evansville, IN (EVWR) – Stilesboro, GA) passes under the highway 62 overpass at Nortonville, Kentucky as CSXT 3196 leads a loaded coal train along track two as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision on a beautiful winter afternoon.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

Dashing through the Snow on PAL 2106...

Well, since we don't have snow today on Christmas here in Western Kentucky I looked back and found a shot from the past that thought I'd share today!

January 17, 2018 - A early morning Paducah and Louisville Railway 2106 leads a loaded coal train as it heads south through the snow covered cut at Charleston as it heads for the loadout at Calvert City, Ky. 

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm, f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 320.


January 17, 2018 - A early morning Paducah and Louisville Railway loaded coal train heads south through the snow covered cut at Charleston, Ky as it heads for the loadout at Calvert City, Ky.

Dashing through the Snow on PAL 2106…

Well, since we don’t have snow today on Christmas here in Western Kentucky I looked back and found a shot from the past that thought I’d share today!

January 17, 2018 – A early morning Paducah and Louisville Railway 2106 leads a loaded coal train as it heads south through the snow covered cut at Charleston as it heads for the loadout at Calvert City, Ky.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm, f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 320.

Southbound PAL coal at Barkley Dam, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railway loaded coal drag heads south across Barkley Dam at Grand Rivers, Kentucky on September 2nd, 2020 as it makes its way to the Calvert City Terminal.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm, f/8, 1/1600, ISO 320.

Southbound PAL coal at Barkley Dam, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railway loaded coal drag heads south across Barkley Dam at Grand Rivers, Kentucky on September 2nd, 2020 as it makes its way to the Calvert City Terminal.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm, f/8, 1/1600, ISO 320.

That's a lot of coal!!

A driver uses a John Deer Bulldozer to push and smooth coal up a very large pile at the Calvert City Terminal in Calvert City, Kentucky. In case you're wondering, it takes a lot of coal and coke trains to build a pile that high and they come from Paducah & Louisville Railway, BSNF, CSX, Union Pacific and occasionally Norfolk Southern to add to the piles at the terminal, where the coal and coke is blended and transloaded onto barges and trains for shipment where ever the customer is.

When you're out shooting pictures trackside, don't forget that not every shot needs to have the train! Look for the details and work surrounding the operation as there's always great pictures to be had!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 390mm, f/6.3, 1/800, ISO 900.

That’s a lot of coal!!

A driver uses a John Deer Bulldozer to push and smooth coal up a very large pile at the Calvert City Terminal in Calvert City, Kentucky. In case you’re wondering, it takes a lot of coal and coke trains to build a pile that high and they come from Paducah & Louisville Railway, BNSF, CSX, Union Pacific and occasionally Norfolk Southern to add to the piles at the terminal, where the coal and coke is blended and transloaded onto barges and trains for shipment where ever the customer is.

When you’re out shooting pictures trackside, don’t forget that not every shot needs to have the train! Look for the details and work surrounding the operation as there’s always great pictures to be had!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 390mm, f/6.3, 1/800, ISO 900.

Paducah & Louisville PRX1 NB through the clouds at Nebo, Ky

Calm winds prevailed for me as PRX1 makes its way through the  the marshlands as Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4501 pull their freshly loaded coal train away from the Warrior Coal Mine loop from Nebo, Kentucky on December 5th, 2020 providing wonderful reflections!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100, Exp. Comp -3 (for detail in the highlights).

Paducah & Louisville PRX1 SB through the clouds at Nebo, Ky

Paducah & Louisville PRX1 SB through the clouds at Nebo, Ky

Calm winds prevailed for me as PRX1 makes its way through the the marshlands as Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4501 pull their freshly loaded coal train away from the Warrior Coal Mine loop at Nebo, Kentucky on December 5th, 2020 providing wonderful reflections!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100, Exp. Comp -3 (for detail in the highlights).

Southbound shadow train at Sebree, Kentucky

CSXT 3113 & 214 lead loaded coal train N040-09 as its shadow chases along on the track next to it as it passes the Planters Bank Grain silos headed south on the Henderson Subdivision at Sebree, Kentucky on December 9th, 2020. 

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

Southbound shadow train at Sebree, Kentucky

CSXT 3113 & 214 lead loaded coal train N040-09 as its shadow chases along on the track next to it as it passes the Planters Bank Grain silos headed south on the Henderson Subdivision at Sebree, Kentucky on December 9th, 2020.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

Paducah & Louisville PRX1 departs Warrior Coal, Nebo, Ky

The late afternoon light plays across the marshland as Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4501 pull their freshly loaded coal train away from the Warrior Coal Mine loop from Nebo, Kentucky on  December 5th, 2020.

This is my first photograph I'm sharing from my new Mavic Air 2 drone that shoots RAW! With the Mavic Mini I've not been happy with it only shooting JPG and being very hard to control highlights and the skies in my photography. This drone for me is a game changer, when it comes to being able to pull all the detail out of the image! My clouds and skies are back!!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Paducah & Louisville PRX1 departs Warrior Coal, Nebo, Ky

The late afternoon light plays across the marshland as Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4501 pull their freshly loaded coal train away from the Warrior Coal Mine loop from Nebo, Kentucky on December 5th, 2020.

This is my first photograph I’m sharing from my new Mavic Air 2 drone that shoots RAW! With the Mavic Mini I’ve not been happy with it only shooting JPG and being very hard to control highlights and the skies in my photography. This drone for me is a game changer, when it comes to being able to pull all the detail out of the image! My clouds and skies are back!!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

BNSF SPC1 Northbound at Chiles Junction

BNSF 9196 leads SPC1 as it comes off the P&I Railroad Branch onto Chiles Junction with a empty coal drag in West Paducah, Kentucky as it heads north onto the Bluford Subdivision as the setting sun bathes the train in its warm glow.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/240, ISO 100.

BNSF SPC1 Northbound at Chiles Junction, West Paducah, Ky

BNSF 9196 leads SPC1 as it comes off the P&I Railroad Branch onto Chiles Junction with a empty coal drag in West Paducah, Kentucky as it heads north onto the Bluford Subdivision as the setting sun bathes the train in its warm glow.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/240, ISO 100.DCIM\100MEDIA\DJI_0751.JPG