Saturday Edited Video from Jim Pearson Photography
In this weeks video I’m taking you on a tour of some of my favorite spots to railfan between Hanson and Slaughters, Ky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen and enjoy the trains!! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching! Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to Subscribe and Ring the Notification Bell so you won’t miss any of my future videos! Have a blessed day everyone!!
CSX I025 with CSX NC&SL Heritage Unit 1851 leading, heads south through Crofton Cut, just north of Crofton, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on January 27th, 2025.
According to a CSX Press Release: September 20, 2024 – Railroads have long played a crucial role in shaping the economic and cultural landscapes of the United States. Among these storied lines is the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis (NC&StL) Railway, a key player in the growth of the Southeast. CSX has unveiled its 19th heritage locomotive, a tribute to the NC&StL Railway, celebrating the rich legacy of a system integral to regional development.
Operating from 1851 to 1957, the NC&StL Railway was a vital freight and passenger route, connecting communities across Tennessee and other Southern states. It facilitated the movement of goods and people, boosting commerce and fostering community development along its routes. The railway’s strategic links between Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis significantly contributed to the urban and industrial growth of these cities, supporting industries such as agriculture, coal, and manufacturing.
To honor the historical significance of the NC&StL Railway, CSX introduced the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis heritage locomotive. This initiative is part of CSX’s broader program to preserve the legacy of railroads that are now part of its extensive network. Each heritage unit is carefully crafted to pay homage to the unique identity and history of its predecessor, featuring colors and designs reminiscent of the original rail lines.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.
CSX M513 heads out of Sebree, Kentucky, on January 17th, 2025, as they make their way south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
M513 has PCS Group Switcher 1144 as the third unit and an ex-Union Pacific 4669 with reporting marks of SPTX stenciled on the side of the cab, with both units dead in tow.
According to their website, “PSC Group provides turnkey solutions for safe and efficient rail switching in some of the most challenging and complex sites throughout North America. We manage more than 75 rail switching sites using our own fleet of advanced locomotives and mobile railcar movers, proven safety methods, and highly skilled personnel. By working closely with our customers, we tailor our services to their unique needs, utilizing over 80 locomotives, 30 mobile railcar movers (Trackmobiles and Shuttle Wagons), and more than 1,000 skilled employees to enhance safety, decrease cycle time, prevent derailments, and optimize railcar utilization.
Over the years, we have found that performing railcar switching alongside loading/unloading, railcar repair, and inspections, creates a safer and more efficient operating environment while simultaneously delivering considerable savings. By bundling these synergistic services together, we can provide the most value to our customers’ operations.”
However, I can’t find much information on the SPTX Reporting mark so if anyone can provide me with some, I’d appreciate it!
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130.
CSXT 3228 leads hot intermodal I026 as it passes under the highway 41 overpass at Mortons Gap, Ky, on January 9th, 2026, as it heads southbound in the late evening twilight on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 800.
Northbound CSX M648 passes under the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Monarch at Madisonville, Kentucky with the CSXT 911, Honoring First Responders locomotive leading, on the Henderson Subdivision on March 9th, 2023.
CSXT 911 is painted in vibrant red with white and gold striped accents along with the logo of program partners First Responders Children’s Foundation and Operation Gratitude. It also features generic police, fire and emergency medical services logos.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 170.
CSXT 5371 leads empty coal train E040 northbound as they climb up out of the valley at Kelly, Kentucky, on January 11th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision after an overnight snowfall. The 600mm focal length on this shot really compresses everything and makes the track appear much worse than they are. Either way it makes for a great shot from my perspective!
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/1600, ISO 320.
Southbound CSX M513 waits at Romney, south of Nortonville, Kentucky as CSX northbound Intermodal I128 passes them on track 2, on January 17th, 2025, on the Henderson Subdivision.
M513 has PCS Group Switcher 1144 as the third unit and an ex-Union Pacific 4669 with reporting marks of SPTX stenciled on the side of the cab, with both units dead in tow.
According to their website, “PSC Group provides turnkey solutions for safe and efficient rail switching in some of the most challenging and complex sites throughout North America. We manage more than 75 rail switching sites using our own fleet of advanced locomotives and mobile railcar movers, proven safety methods, and highly skilled personnel. By working closely with our customers, we tailor our services to their unique needs, utilizing over 80 locomotives, 30 mobile railcar movers (Trackmobiles and Shuttle Wagons), and more than 1,000 skilled employees to enhance safety, decrease cycle time, prevent derailments, and optimize railcar utilization.
Over the years, we have found that performing railcar switching alongside loading/unloading, railcar repair, and inspections, creates a safer and more efficient operating environment while simultaneously delivering considerable savings. By bundling these synergistic services together, we can provide the most value to our customers’ operations.”
However, I can’t find much information on the SPTX Reporting mark so if anyone can provide me with some, I’d appreciate it!
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 270.
CSX S710 hooks up to their first string of military equipment on the Fort Campbell Wye from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on November15th, 2024.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/100, ISO 120.
CSX M503 takes the siding at the north end of the siding at Kelly, Kentucky after a snow fall on January 11th, 2024, as they make their way south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.
It’s not very often that I catch a train that has two interesting moves at the same time, but March 26th, 2021 was one of those days when I caught CSX Q513 heading south on the Henderson Subdivision!
Up front behind the first engine was a GMTX 192 switcher (ex-Kansas City Southern Unit) passing through Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Ky, which I’m told is headed for St. Marys Railroad Company, located in St. Marys, Georgia.
On the rear of the train was Mid-America Railcar Leasing (MRLX) 1226, which appears to be an ex-Amtrak baggage car that I’m also told is headed for the Georgia coastal railway at St. Marys, Georgia. I’m also told that it will be converted to a gift shop for their excursion trains. Here it’s passing through the crossing at the north end of the siding at Kelly, Ky, behind the DPU on the rear of the train as they head south on the Henderson Subdivision.
St. Marys Railroad (reporting marks SM) is a standard gauge, Class III, common carrier railroad based out of St. Marys, Georgia. Interchange is made with the First Coast Railroad in Kingsland, Georgia and gives customers easy access to Jacksonville, Florida railroads CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway and Florida East Coast Railway.
Mid America Railcar Leasing is a limited liability company that leases private passenger railroad cars, most of which can be pulled on the end of Amtrak trains.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800 & 1/1250, ISO 100.
It’s not very often that I catch a train that has two interesting moves at the same time, but March 26th, 2021 was one of those days when I caught CSX Q513 heading south on the Henderson Subdivision!
Up front behind the first engine was a GMTX 192 switcher (ex-Kansas City Southern Unit) passing through Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Ky, which I’m told is headed for St. Marys Railroad Company, located in St. Marys, Georgia.
On the rear of the train was Mid-America Railcar Leasing (MRLX) 1226, which appears to be an ex-Amtrak baggage car that I’m also told is headed for the Georgia coastal railway at St. Marys, Georgia. I’m also told that it will be converted to a gift shop for their excursion trains. Here it’s passing through the crossing at the north end of the siding at Kelly, Ky, behind the DPU on the rear of the train as they head south on the Henderson Subdivision.
St. Marys Railroad (reporting marks SM) is a standard gauge, Class III, common carrier railroad based out of St. Marys, Georgia. Interchange is made with the First Coast Railroad in Kingsland, Georgia and gives customers easy access to Jacksonville, Florida railroads CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway and Florida East Coast Railway.
Mid America Railcar Leasing is a limited liability company that leases private passenger railroad cars, most of which can be pulled on the end of Amtrak trains.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800 & 1/1250, ISO 100.
In this week’s Saturday Infrared Photo, CSXT 3261 leads intermodal train, I128, around the curve at the north end of Kelly, Kentucky, on the Henderson Subdivision as they head north on March 3rd, 2024.
Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @ 110mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 400.
CSXT 5213 leads hot intermodal I025 as they head south over the Sulfur Creek bridge at Springfield, TN, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on their way to their final destination of Jacksonville, FL from Chicago, IL, on January 9th, 2025.
This train usually runs with some autoracks that carry Tesla automobiles for the overseas market, so I’m told.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Classic 3 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 150.
CSX B210 heads north from Oak Hill, just south of Mortons Gap, Ky with CN 2786, an ex-CitiRail unit leading two more CitiRail and a CN unit leading their empty Phosphate train, as they head north on January 8th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.
CSX B210 pulls onto the main at Oak Hill, just south of Mortons Gap, Ky with CN 2786, an ex-CitiRail unit leads with two more CitiRail and a CN unit leading their empty Phosphate train north on January 8th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.
CSXT 832 leads loaded grain train G437 southbound as they split the signals at the north end of the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on January 10th, 2025.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.
Norfolk Southern 4261 Leads CSX B647, a loaded ethanol train, south as it passes under the Paducah and Louisville Railway line at the location known as Monarch, at Madisonville, Ky on December 26th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. This train runs between Bensenville, IL (CPKC) and TDSI (RPMG) – Lawrenceville, GA, on a as needed basis.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 140.
January 4th, 2025 – Episode 105 – Railfanning Mortons Gap, Ky – Saturday Edited Video from Jim Pearson Photography My Saturday edited videos for 2025 will all highlight places that I like to railfan starting with Mortons Gap, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision! Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen and prepare to learn where some of my favorite places to rail fan are located!! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching!
This is my first catch where there were two CSX Heritage Units leading a train! I got word about this move on CSX M648 the day before and when it finally arrived where I setup to catch it the first time at Mortons Gap, Ky the wind and rain was bad, but I did get a short video clip here is in my December 21st, 2024, Saturday Edited Video.
In this shot the Western Maryland and P&LE Heritage units leading M648 they pass G387 at Robards, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on December 16th 2024.
According to the CSX Website: The Western Maryland Railroad operated between 1852 and 1983 in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. It was a small railroad that primarily transported coal and freight.
“In 1983 the Western Maryland fully merged with the B&O (Baltimore and Ohio Railroad), which merged with the C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad) in 1987. They eventually merged with the Seaboard System to form CSX.” explained Tim Music, a CSX carman painter who assisted with the project.
The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad was established in 1875 with a primary mission of transporting essential industrial materials such as coal, coke, iron ore, limestone, and steel among the bustling industrial hubs of the region.
“It’s mainline connected Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Youngstown, Ohio and Connellsville, Pennsylvania. It did not actually reach Lake Erie until 1976,” explained Tim Music, a carman painter at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop where the unit was produced.
Despite its relatively modest route mileage, the P&LE Railroad earned the nickname “Little Giant” due to the enormous volume of heavy tonnage it moved. This impressive capability drew significant attention and by 1887, the P&LE became a subsidiary of the dominant New York Central Railroad. Under this new ownership, the P&LE enjoyed substantial improvements to its tracks and added capacity for passenger services, further enhancing its regional significance.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/80, ISO 120.
This is my first catch where there were two CSX Heritage Units leading a train! I got word about this move on CSX M648 the day before and when it finally arrived where I setup to catch it the first time at Mortons Gap, Ky the wind and rain was bad, but I did get a short video clip here is in my December 21st, 2024, Saturday Edited Video.
In this shot the Western Maryland and P&LE Heritage units lead M648 lays off crossings between Sebree and Robards, Kentucky, waiting to meet G387, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on December 16th 2024.
According to the CSX Website: The Western Maryland Railroad operated between 1852 and 1983 in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. It was a small railroad that primarily transported coal and freight.
“In 1983 the Western Maryland fully merged with the B&O (Baltimore and Ohio Railroad), which merged with the C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad) in 1987. They eventually merged with the Seaboard System to form CSX.” explained Tim Music, a CSX carman painter who assisted with the project.
The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad was established in 1875 with a primary mission of transporting essential industrial materials such as coal, coke, iron ore, limestone, and steel among the bustling industrial hubs of the region.
“It’s mainline connected Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Youngstown, Ohio and Connellsville, Pennsylvania. It did not actually reach Lake Erie until 1976,” explained Tim Music, a carman painter at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop where the unit was produced.
Despite its relatively modest route mileage, the P&LE Railroad earned the nickname “Little Giant” due to the enormous volume of heavy tonnage it moved. This impressive capability drew significant attention and by 1887, the P&LE became a subsidiary of the dominant New York Central Railroad. Under this new ownership, the P&LE enjoyed substantial improvements to its tracks and added capacity for passenger services, further enhancing its regional significance.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/60, ISO 100.