CSX M513 passes through the north end of Kelly, Kentucky, on January 17th, 2025, as they head south 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 420.

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.

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.

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 as it heads north through downtown Hanson, 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, 1/640, ISO 170.

CSX I026 with CSX Seaboard Air Line Railroad Heritage Unit, 1900 leading, heads north at Crofton, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on November 13th, 2024, under stormy skies.

According to a CSX Press Release: August 29, 2024 – CSX has unveiled its 18th heritage locomotive, a tribute to the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, marking another milestone in celebrating the rich history of American railroads. This latest addition to CSX’s heritage series honors the legacy and the significant role that the Seaboard Air Line Railroad played in shaping the rail transport landscape in the United States.

The Seaboard Air Line Railroad, originally established in the late 19th century, was renowned for its efficient service and innovative routes, connecting the southeastern United States to the broader nation. Over the decades, it became famous for its passenger and freight services, symbolized by its slogan “Through the Heart of the South.”

In 1967, Seaboard Air Line merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. This merger was part of a larger trend in the railroad industry aimed at increasing efficiency and competitiveness. Eventually, Seaboard Coast Line became part of CSX Corporation in the 1980s through a series of mergers and consolidations that included the Chessie System and other lines. This ultimately positioned CSX as one of the leading rail networks in the U.S.

The creation of the Seaboard Air Line heritage unit was no small feat, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and dedication of ONE CSX team. Jeromy Hutchison, a CSX carman painter, commented on the complexity of the project, stating, “This was one of our harder projects. All of the stripes on the unit are hand laid, making it very complicated.” The intricate detailing is a testament to the commitment delivering a great work product and honoring the legacy of the railroad.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 24mm f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 2200.

CSX M498, with the New York Central heritage 1877 unit leading, passes under the highway 41 overpass at Mortons Gap, Kentucky as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on October 19th, 2024.

According to the CSX Website: January 3, 2024 – A CSX locomotive commemorating the New York Central Railroad has become the eighth unit in CSX’s heritage locomotive fleet.

Designated CSX 1853 in recognition of the year the NYC was founded, the newest heritage unit was repainted in a special design combining the current CSX colors with the traditional gray and white of the NYC system. The NYC heritage unit has been placed into regular revenue service, proudly carrying the NYC colors across the CSX network.

All of the heritage unit paint schemes have been created at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop, where employees performed the challenging work of applying the unique designs. Click below to watch a video of CSX 1853 rolling out of the Waycross shop and hear employees describe the 22-day effort to repaint the unit.

At its height, the New York Central system encompassed more than 11,000 track miles and provided vital transportation service between New England and the Midwest. It merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad to become the Penn Central in 1968 and later became part of Conrail.

A majority of former NYC lines were acquired by CSX in 1998, and today CSX employees continue to operate trains across the primary NYC routes that have been carrying freight and supporting the U.S. economy for more than a century.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 190.

CSX M498, with the New York Central heritage 1877 unit leading, heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, at Henderson, Kentucky, on October 19th, 2024.

According to the CSX Website: January 3, 2024 – A CSX locomotive commemorating the New York Central Railroad has become the eighth unit in CSX’s heritage locomotive fleet.

Designated CSX 1853 in recognition of the year the NYC was founded, the newest heritage unit was repainted in a special design combining the current CSX colors with the traditional gray and white of the NYC system. The NYC heritage unit has been placed into regular revenue service, proudly carrying the NYC colors across the CSX network.

All of the heritage unit paint schemes have been created at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop, where employees performed the challenging work of applying the unique designs. Click below to watch a video of CSX 1853 rolling out of the Waycross shop and hear employees describe the 22-day effort to repaint the unit.

At its height, the New York Central system encompassed more than 11,000 track miles and provided vital transportation service between New England and the Midwest. It merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad to become the Penn Central in 1968 and later became part of Conrail.

A majority of former NYC lines were acquired by CSX in 1998, and today CSX employees continue to operate trains across the primary NYC routes that have been carrying freight and supporting the U.S. economy for more than a century.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110.

CSX M498, with the New York Central heritage 1877 unit leading, meets CSX M513 at the south end of the siding at Slaughters, Kentucky as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on October 19th, 2024.

According to the CSX Website: January 3, 2024 – A CSX locomotive commemorating the New York Central Railroad has become the eighth unit in CSX’s heritage locomotive fleet.

Designated CSX 1853 in recognition of the year the NYC was founded, the newest heritage unit was repainted in a special design combining the current CSX colors with the traditional gray and white of the NYC system. The NYC heritage unit has been placed into regular revenue service, proudly carrying the NYC colors across the CSX network.

All of the heritage unit paint schemes have been created at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop, where employees performed the challenging work of applying the unique designs. Click below to watch a video of CSX 1853 rolling out of the Waycross shop and hear employees describe the 22-day effort to repaint the unit.

At its height, the New York Central system encompassed more than 11,000 track miles and provided vital transportation service between New England and the Midwest. It merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad to become the Penn Central in 1968 and later became part of Conrail.

A majority of former NYC lines were acquired by CSX in 1998, and today CSX employees continue to operate trains across the primary NYC routes that have been carrying freight and supporting the U.S. economy for more than a century.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 110.