CSX I025 sits at the beginning of the viaduct that passes over the flood plain leading up to the bridge at Henderson, Ky that crosses over the Ohio River with the CSXT Pride in Service Honoring Our Law Enforcement unit leading on October 26th, 2024. The train was held up for about 2 hours as members of the Henderson Fire Department finished putting out a tie fire on the bridge that spans the river on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Henderson, Kentucky; fortunately, except for the ties, the bridge is made out of steel. CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 100. #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography

CSX I025 sits at the beginning of the viaduct that passes over the flood plain…

CSX I025 sits at the beginning of the viaduct that passes over the flood plain leading up to the bridge at Henderson, Ky that crosses over the Ohio River with the CSXT Pride in Service Honoring Our Law Enforcement unit leading on October 26th, 2024.

The train was held up for about 2 hours as members of the Henderson Fire Department finished putting out a tie fire on the bridge that spans the river on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Henderson, Kentucky; fortunately, except for the ties, the bridge is made out of steel.

CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 100.

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 sits outside the engine house as Reading and Northern SW8M 803 waits on the turntable to pull it onto the main at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on October 5th, 2024, for the first day of the year of 2102 pulling Fall Foliage Excursions. From what I find on the web: Reading and Northern locomotive 803 is an EMD SW-8m model. ​ It was built in September 1951 with builder number 14495. It was previously owned by Conrail (CR) as 8684 and originally by Lehigh Valley (LV) as 270. According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124. The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s. In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains. Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 24mm, 2.5 seconds, f/5.6, ISO 200. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #steamtrains #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #RBNRR

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 sits…

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 sits outside the engine house as Reading and Northern SW8M 803 waits on the turntable to pull it onto the main at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on October 5th, 2024, for the first day of the year of 2102 pulling Fall Foliage Excursions.

From what I find on the web: Reading and Northern locomotive 803 is an EMD SW-8m model. ​ It was built in September 1951 with builder number 14495. It was previously owned by Conrail (CR) as 8684 and originally by Lehigh Valley (LV) as 270.

According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124.

The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s.

In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 24mm, 2.5 seconds, f/5.6, ISO 200.

Gornergrat-Bahn 3071 leads an uphill train as the Matterhorn rises above the line as the two car Cog Railway trainset heads to Bergstation at Gornergrat from Zermatt, Switzerland. Gornergrat Station is the end of the line for the Gornergrat trains and is 3,089 meters above sea level. The base station of the Gornergrat Railway is located very close to Zermatt's train station For a while I was the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Air Force’s Electronic Imaging Center stationed at Aviano, Italy, where Combat Camera was tasked to document the Provide Hope operation in 1992. I was there for six months, and on most weekends, we had time off and on one of them I took a couple days of vacation and took trains from Italy to Switzerland to ride and photograph this train line. It was probably one of my most memorable trips from my railfanning past! According to Wikipedia: Operation Provide Hope was a humanitarian operation conducted by the U.S. Air Force to provide medical equipment to former Soviet republics during their transition to capitalism. The operation was announced by Secretary of State James A. Baker, III on January 22–23, 1992 and the initial shipment of supplies was sent on February 10, 1992. Twelve US Air Force C-5 and C-141 was carrying an estimated 500 tons of bulk-food rations and medicines into Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk, and Chisinau from Germany and Yerevan, Almaty, Dushanbe, Ashkhabad, Baku, Tashkent, and Bishkek from Turkey. In total, for nearly two weeks sixty-five missions flew 2,363 short tons (2,144 t) of food and medical supplies to 24 locations in the Commonwealth of Independent States during the initial phase of operation. Much of these supplies was left over from the buildup to the Persian Gulf War. Tech Info: Nikon F3, Nikon 80-200 @ 200mm, Ektachrome Slide Film #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #Zermatt # Gornergrat-Bahn #switzerland

Gornergrat-Bahn 3071 leads an uphill train as the Matterhorn rises above the line

Gornergrat-Bahn 3071 leads an uphill train as the Matterhorn rises above the line as the two car Cog Railway trainset heads to Bergstation at Gornergrat from Zermatt, Switzerland. Gornergrat Station is the end of the line for the Gornergrat trains and is 3,089 meters above sea level. The base station of the Gornergrat Railway is located very close to Zermatt’s train station

For a while I was the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Air Force’s Electronic Imaging Center stationed at Aviano, Italy, where Combat Camera was tasked to document the Provide Hope operation in 1992.

I was there for six months, and on most weekends, we had time off and on one of them I took a couple days of vacation and took trains from Italy to Switzerland to ride and photograph this train line. It was probably one of my most memorable trips from my railfanning past!

According to Wikipedia: Operation Provide Hope was a humanitarian operation conducted by the U.S. Air Force to provide medical equipment to former Soviet republics during their transition to capitalism. The operation was announced by Secretary of State James A. Baker, III on January 22–23, 1992 and the initial shipment of supplies was sent on February 10, 1992. Twelve US Air Force C-5 and C-141 was carrying an estimated 500 tons of bulk-food rations and medicines into Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk, and Chisinau from Germany and Yerevan, Almaty, Dushanbe, Ashkhabad, Baku, Tashkent, and Bishkek from Turkey.

In total, for nearly two weeks sixty-five missions flew 2,363 short tons (2,144 t) of food and medical supplies to 24 locations in the Commonwealth of Independent States during the initial phase of operation. Much of these supplies was left over from the buildup to the Persian Gulf War.

Tech Info: Nikon F3, Nikon 80-200 @ 200mm, Ektachrome Slide Film

In this week’s Saturday Infrared photo, we catch East Broad Tops M1 motorcar pulling into the engine house over the pit at Rockhill, Pennsylvania, on October 6th, 2024, under the watchful eye of the conductor. According to their website: Built in 1927, the M-1 is the only original narrow-gauge gasoline electric motorcar still in existence in the United States. Constructed in the EBT’s very own shop complex, this one-of-a-kind piece of railroad history has been painstakingly restored and still runs using many of its original parts and components over the same railroad it was built to serve over 96 years ago. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @17mm, f/4.5, 1/8, ISO 800. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #infraredtrainphotography #infraredphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #infaredtrainphotography #trending #EastBroadTop

In this week’s Saturday Infrared photo, we catch East Broad Tops M1 motorcar…

In this week’s Saturday Infrared photo, we catch East Broad Tops M1 motorcar pulling into the engine house over the pit at Rockhill, Pennsylvania, on October 6th, 2024, under the watchful eye of the conductor.

According to their website: Built in 1927, the M-1 is the only original narrow-gauge gasoline electric motorcar still in existence in the United States. Constructed in the EBT’s very own shop complex, this one-of-a-kind piece of railroad history has been painstakingly restored and still runs using many of its original parts and components over the same railroad it was built to serve over 96 years ago.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @17mm, f/4.5, 1/8, ISO 800.

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 as they pass the grain facility at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on October 20th, 2024. From what I can find on the FRA Website, DOTX-218 is a Gage Restraint Measurement Vehicle and DOTX-220 Track Geometry Car. DOTX 218 Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS) vehicle procured in May 2004, is a state-of-the-art deployable GRMS vehicle which utilizes a 5th split railroad axle to laterally load the head of both adjacent rails of railroad track in order to measure rail motion under a combined vertical and later load for the detection of weak ties and fasteners. It has a unique suspension system which maintains alignment and apply continuous loads perpendicular to the rails regardless of the roll, pitch or vertical movement of the carbody on its suspension, or the curvature of the track; lifts and lowers split axle for testing and stowage; and orients split axle so that wheels are tangent to rails as track curvature varies. DOTX 220 measures track geometry parameters, i.e., track gage, alignment, track surface (cross level, warp, profile) and calculate limiting train speed in curves. Fully equipped with non-contact sensors, the TGMS computes track geometry parameters at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. Data can be processed to 200 miles per hour. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/3200, ISO 100. #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 at Hopkinsville, Kentucky

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 as they pass the grain facility at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on November 20th, 2024.

From what I can find on the FRA Website, DOTX-218 is a Gage Restraint Measurement Vehicle and DOTX-220 Track Geometry Car.

DOTX 218 Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS) vehicle procured in May 2004, is a state-of-the-art deployable GRMS vehicle which utilizes a 5th split railroad axle to laterally load the head of both adjacent rails of railroad track in order to measure rail motion under a combined vertical and later load for the detection of weak ties and fasteners. It has a unique suspension system which maintains alignment and apply continuous loads perpendicular to the rails regardless of the roll, pitch or vertical movement of the carbody on its suspension, or the curvature of the track; lifts and lowers split axle for testing and stowage; and orients split axle so that wheels are tangent to rails as track curvature varies.

DOTX 220 measures track geometry parameters, i.e., track gage, alignment, track surface (cross level, warp, profile) and calculate limiting train speed in curves. Fully equipped with non-contact sensors, the TGMS computes track geometry parameters at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. Data can be processed to 200 miles per hour.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/3200, ISO 100.

 

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 as they meet M500 waiting in the siding at the north end of Kelly, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on October 20th, 2024. From what I can find on the FRA Website, DOTX-218 is a Gage Restraint Measurement Vehicle and DOTX-220 Track Geometry Car. DOTX 218 Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS) vehicle procured in May 2004, is a state-of-the-art deployable GRMS vehicle which utilizes a 5th split railroad axle to laterally load the head of both adjacent rails of railroad track in order to measure rail motion under a combined vertical and later load for the detection of weak ties and fasteners. It has a unique suspension system which maintains alignment and apply continuous loads perpendicular to the rails regardless of the roll, pitch or vertical movement of the carbody on its suspension, or the curvature of the track; lifts and lowers split axle for testing and stowage; and orients split axle so that wheels are tangent to rails as track curvature varies. DOTX 220 measures track geometry parameters, i.e., track gage, alignment, track surface (cross level, warp, profile) and calculate limiting train speed in curves. Fully equipped with non-contact sensors, the TGMS computes track geometry parameters at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. Data can be processed to 200 miles per hour. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/2500, ISO 150. #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 as they meet M500…

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 as they meet M500 waiting in the siding at the north end of Kelly, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on November 20th, 2024.

From what I can find on the FRA Website, DOTX-218 is a Gage Restraint Measurement Vehicle and DOTX-220 Track Geometry Car.

DOTX 218 Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS) vehicle procured in May 2004, is a state-of-the-art deployable GRMS vehicle which utilizes a 5th split railroad axle to laterally load the head of both adjacent rails of railroad track in order to measure rail motion under a combined vertical and later load for the detection of weak ties and fasteners. It has a unique suspension system which maintains alignment and apply continuous loads perpendicular to the rails regardless of the roll, pitch or vertical movement of the carbody on its suspension, or the curvature of the track; lifts and lowers split axle for testing and stowage; and orients split axle so that wheels are tangent to rails as track curvature varies.

DOTX 220 measures track geometry parameters, i.e., track gage, alignment, track surface (cross level, warp, profile) and calculate limiting train speed in curves. Fully equipped with non-contact sensors, the TGMS computes track geometry parameters at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. Data can be processed to 200 miles per hour.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/2500, ISO 150.

August 30th, 2024, Steam locomotive Nickel Plate 765 leads “The Limited” through the Indiana countryside, on a late evening passenger train run to Reading, Michigan, as part of Indiana Rail Experience’s Rolling Victory Weekend. According to their website: Rolling Victory was a three-day living history event celebrating American military, railroad, and home front history featuring vintage train rides, World War II reenactors, battles, a big band orchestra, and an immersive and educational experience for all ages in Pleasant Lake, Indiana. Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 500. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #steamtrains #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #steamtrains #nkp765 #passengertrains

August 30th, 2024, Steam locomotive Nickel Plate 765 leads “The Limited” through the Indiana countryside

August 30th, 2024, Steam locomotive Nickel Plate 765 leads “The Limited” through the Indiana countryside, on a late evening passenger train run to Reading, Michigan, as part of Indiana Rail Experience’s Rolling Victory Weekend.

According to their website: Rolling Victory was a three-day living history event celebrating American military, railroad, and home front history featuring vintage train rides, World War II reenactors, battles, a big band orchestra, and an immersive and educational experience for all ages in Pleasant Lake, Indiana.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 500.

CSX S710 sits on the Fort Campbell Wye where it was picking up a loaded military train from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as they wait for southbound CSX M501 to pass them on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on November15th, 2024. Once M501 clears the block S710 will pull out onto the main so they can pick up the last half of their train, before proceeding on to Nashville, Tennessee. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/320, ISO 800. #militarytrain #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography

CSX S710 sits on the Fort Campbell Wye where it was picking up a loaded military train…

CSX S710 sits on the Fort Campbell Wye where it was picking up a loaded military train from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as they wait for southbound CSX M501 to pass them on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on November15th, 2024.

Once M501 clears the block S710 will pull out onto the main so they can pick up the last half of their train, before proceeding on to Nashville, Tennessee.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/320, ISO 800.

August 30th, 2024, Steam locomotive Nickel Plate 765 leads “The Limited” as it departs Pleasant lake, Indiana on a late evening passenger train run to Reading, Michigan, as part of Indiana Rail Experience’s Rolling Victory Weekend. According to their website: Rolling Victory was a three-day living history event celebrating American military, railroad, and home front history featuring vintage train rides, World War II reenactors, battles, a big band orchestra, and an immersive and educational experience for all ages in Pleasant Lake, Indiana. Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 64. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #steamtrains #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #steamtrains #nkp765 #passengertrains

August 30th, 2024, Steam locomotive Nickel Plate 765 leads “The Limited” as it departs Pleasant lake, Indiana

August 30th, 2024, Steam locomotive Nickel Plate 765 leads “The Limited” as it departs Pleasant lake, Indiana on a late evening passenger train run to Reading, Michigan, as part of Indiana Rail Experience’s Rolling Victory Weekend.

According to their website: Rolling Victory was a three-day living history event celebrating American military, railroad, and home front history featuring vintage train rides, World War II reenactors, battles, a big band orchestra, and an immersive and educational experience for all ages in Pleasant Lake, Indiana.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 64.

A hazy day shrouds the day as engines 217 and 255 and the rest of their trains sit in the Luxembourg main train station as passengers mill about on the platforms in this 1981 photo where I changed trains on one of my many trips around Europe from 1978-1981 when I lived outside Frankfurt, West Germany. According to Wikipedia: Luxembourg railway station is the main railway station serving Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It is operated by Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois, the state-owned railway company and 80,000 passengers use this station every day. It is the hub of Luxembourg's domestic railway network, serving as a point of call on all of Luxembourg's railway lines. It also functions as the country's international railway hub, with services to all the surrounding countries: Belgium, France, and Germany. Since June 2007, the LGV Est connects the station to the French TGV network. Tech Info: Nikon F3, Kodachrome Slide #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #Luxembourg #trainstation

A hazy day shrouds the day as engines 217, 255 and the rest of their trains sit in the Luxembourg main train station

A hazy day shrouds the day as engines 217 and 255 and the rest of their trains sit in the Luxembourg main train station as passengers mill about on the platforms in this 1981 photo where I changed trains on one of my many trips around Europe from 1978-1981 when I lived outside Frankfurt, West Germany.

According to Wikipedia: Luxembourg railway station is the main railway station serving Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It is operated by Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois, the state-owned railway company and 80,000 passengers use this station every day.

It is the hub of Luxembourg’s domestic railway network, serving as a point of call on all of Luxembourg’s railway lines. It also functions as the country’s international railway hub, with services to all the surrounding countries: Belgium, France, and Germany. Since June 2007, the LGV Est connects the station to the French TGV network.

Tech Info: Nikon F3, Kodachrome Slide

The engineer on Russian Diesel locomotive 15577199 waits for permission to depart from the yards at Moscow, Russia sometime during the winter months of 1992. This image is from a slide scan that I shot while I was taking part in a military humanitarian called Provide Hope. For awhile I was the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Air Force’s Electronic Imaging Center stationed at Aviano, Italy, where Combat Camera was tasked to document the Provide Hope operation. I was there for six months, and we flew missions in and out of the USSR. This was on one trip to Moscow where we spent a couple days in the country, documenting the delivery of supplies to an orphanage. Of course, during my off time, I made sure to visit the train station that was just outside our hotel! According to Wikipedia: Operation Provide Hope was a humanitarian operation conducted by the U.S. Air Force to provide medical equipment to former Soviet republics during their transition to capitalism. The operation was announced by Secretary of State James A. Baker, III on January 22–23, 1992 and the initial shipment of supplies was sent on February 10, 1992. Twelve US Air Force C-5 and C-141 was carrying an estimated 500 tons of bulk-food rations and medicines into Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk, and Chisinau from Germany and Yerevan, Almaty, Dushanbe, Ashkhabad, Baku, Tashkent, and Bishkek from Turkey. In total, for nearly two weeks sixty-five missions flew 2,363 short tons (2,144 t) of food and medical supplies to 24 locations in the Commonwealth of Independent States during the initial phase of operation. Much of these supplies was left over from the buildup to the Persian Gulf War. Small teams of US personnel from various government agencies (On-Site Inspection Agency, USAID, and USDA) had been placed in each destination shortly before the deliveries, to coordinate with local officials and to monitor to the best extent possible that the deliveries reached the intended recipients (i.e., orphanages, hospitals, soup kitchens, and needy families). Tech Info: Nikon F3, Kodachrome Slide #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #Russia #Moscow

The engineer on Russian Diesel locomotive 15577199 waits for permission to depart from Moscow, Russia

The engineer on Russian Diesel locomotive 15577199 waits for permission to depart from the yards at Moscow, Russia sometime during the winter months of 1992. This image is from a slide scan that I shot while I was taking part in a military humanitarian called Provide Hope.

For awhile I was the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Air Force’s Electronic Imaging Center stationed at Aviano, Italy, where Combat Camera was tasked to document the Provide Hope operation. I was there for six months, and we flew missions in and out of the USSR. This was on one trip to Moscow where we spent a couple days in the country, documenting the delivery of supplies to an orphanage. Of course, during my off time, I made sure to visit the train station that was just outside our hotel!

Media

According to Wikipedia: Operation Provide Hope was a humanitarian operation conducted by the U.S. Air Force to provide medical equipment to former Soviet republics during their transition to capitalism. The operation was announced by Secretary of State James A. Baker, III on January 22–23, 1992 and the initial shipment of supplies was sent on February 10, 1992. Twelve US Air Force C-5 and C-141 was carrying an estimated 500 tons of bulk-food rations and medicines into Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk, and Chisinau from Germany and Yerevan, Almaty, Dushanbe, Ashkhabad, Baku, Tashkent, and Bishkek from Turkey. In total, for nearly two weeks sixty-five missions flew 2,363 short tons (2,144 t) of food and medical supplies to 24 locations in the Commonwealth of Independent States during the initial phase of operation. Much of these supplies was left over from the buildup to the Persian Gulf War.

Small teams of US personnel from various government agencies (On-Site Inspection Agency, USAID, and USDA) had been placed in each destination shortly before the deliveries, to coordinate with local officials and to monitor to the best extent possible that the deliveries reached the intended recipients (i.e., orphanages, hospitals, soup kitchens, and needy families).

Tech Info: Nikon F3, Kodachrome Slide

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) locomotive 3004 heads across the Bridge over the River Kwai, around 1988, as it heads to the Kanchanaburi Station on part of the original 258-mile (415-kilometer) long Thai-Burma Railway. During WW II, Japan constructed this meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The line passing through the scenic Three Pagodas Pass runs for 250 miles. This is now known as the Death Railway. The railway line was meant to transport cargo daily to India, to back up their planned attack on India. The construction was done using POWs and Asian slave laborers in unfavorable conditions. The work started in October 1942 and was completed in a year. Due to the difficult terrain, thousands of laborers lost their lives. It is believed that one life was lost for each sleeper (tie) laid in the track. At the nearby Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, around 7,000 POWs, who sacrificed their lives in the railway construction, are buried. Another 2,000 are laid to rest at the Chungkai Cemetery. The River Kwai Bridge became famous all over the world, when it was featured in movies and books. The cliff-hugging tracks and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and valleys were well captured in the David Lean movie. This is another scan from a Fuji 6x17 film camera that I’ve shot in the past and on Saturday’s at 5pm CST I plan on highlighting some of these images and others shot on slide film, so check back then to see more images from around the world from my past travels! Fuji 6x17, Fuji 105mm lens, other exposure information wasn’t recorded back then, shot on Kodachrome Film. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #panphotography #6x17photography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #Thailand #deathrailway

The State Railway of Thailand locomotive 3004 heads across the Bridge over the River Kwai, Thailand

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) locomotive 3004 heads across the Bridge over the River Kwai, around 1988, as it heads to the Kanchanaburi Station on part of the original 258-mile (415-kilometer) long Thai-Burma Railway.

During WW II, Japan constructed this meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The line passing through the scenic Three Pagodas Pass runs for 250 miles. This is now known as the Death Railway.

The railway line was meant to transport cargo daily to India, to back up their planned attack on India. The construction was done using POWs and Asian slave laborers in unfavorable conditions. The work started in October 1942 and was completed in a year. Due to the difficult terrain, thousands of laborers lost their lives. It is believed that one life was lost for each sleeper (tie) laid in the track.

At the nearby Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, around 7,000 POWs, who sacrificed their lives in the railway construction, are buried. Another 2,000 are laid to rest at the Chungkai Cemetery.

The River Kwai Bridge became famous all over the world, when it was featured in movies and books. The cliff-hugging tracks and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and valleys were well captured in the David Lean movie.

This is another scan from a Fuji 6×17 film camera that I’ve shot in the past and on Saturday’s at 5pm CST I plan on highlighting some of these images and others shot on slide film, so check back then to see more images from around the world from my past travels!

Fuji 6×17, Fuji 105mm lens, other exposure information wasn’t recorded back then, shot on Kodachrome Film.

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall afternoon. According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 300. #steamtrains #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromtheair #EastBroadTop

East Broad Top steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall afternoon.

According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 300.

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall morning. According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 120. #steamtrains #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromtheair #EastBroadTop

East Broad Top steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall morning.

According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 120.