CSXT 1852, Western Maryland Heritage Unit, heads north as the mid-train DPU on X512 at Sebree, Kentucky on May 12th, 2024, northbound on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. This extra 512 actually had two heritage units as the Chesapeake & Ohio unit 1869 was the lead engine on this same train and I’ll be posting a shot of that engine crossing over Gum Lick Trestle this afternoon! DPU Stands for Distributed Power Unit, a locomotive set capable of remote-control operation in conjunction with locomotive unites at the train's head end. DPUs are placed in the middle or at the rear of heavy trains (such as coal, or grain) to help climb steep grades. From a CSX press release: April 9, 2024 - CSX has launched another addition to its locomotive fleet – the Western Maryland heritage locomotive. This new locomotive pays homage to the rich history of railroads in the Western Maryland region and symbolizes CSX's commitment to preserving and celebrating its railroad heritage. 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 CSX Western Maryland heritage locomotive features a striking design inspired by the iconic colors and markings of the historic Western Maryland Railway. With its bold red, black, and gold livery, this locomotive stands out as a tribute to the legacy of railroading in the region. “This was a smaller rail line but it is still an important part of our CSX history and we want to honor it,” shared Clyde Marshall, another CSX carman painter involved with the effort. The Western Maryland is the twelfth heritage unit released by CSX in its current series, which underscores its appreciation for its railroad history as it continues to innovate for the future. The units are crafted at the company’s mechanical shop in Waycross, Georgia. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 160. #railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #trendingphoto #csxheritageunit

CSXT 1852, Western Maryland Heritage Unit, heads north as the mid-train DPU on X512 at Sebree, Kentucky

CSXT 1852, Western Maryland Heritage Unit, heads north as the mid-train DPU on X512 at Sebree, Kentucky on May 12th, 2024, northbound on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. This extra 512 actually had two heritage units as the Chesapeake & Ohio unit 1869 was the lead engine on this same train and I’ll be posting a shot of that engine crossing over Gum Lick Trestle this afternoon!

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

From a CSX press release: April 9, 2024 – CSX has launched another addition to its locomotive fleet – the Western Maryland heritage locomotive. This new locomotive pays homage to the rich history of railroads in the Western Maryland region and symbolizes CSX’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its railroad heritage.

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 CSX Western Maryland heritage locomotive features a striking design inspired by the iconic colors and markings of the historic Western Maryland Railway. With its bold red, black, and gold livery, this locomotive stands out as a tribute to the legacy of railroading in the region.

“This was a smaller rail line but it is still an important part of our CSX history and we want to honor it,” shared Clyde Marshall, another CSX carman painter involved with the effort.

The Western Maryland is the twelfth heritage unit released by CSX in its current series, which underscores its appreciation for its railroad history as it continues to innovate for the future. The units are crafted at the company’s mechanical shop in Waycross, Georgia.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 160.

I set out last night to hopefully catch the northern lights at work and ended up with this scene at the north end of the siding at Slaughters, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on May 11th, 2024. I shot till after 10pm and while the northern lights didn’t appear for my shot while was there, I did see 7 trains, did 2 live videos and caught one shooting star, plus probably an airplane or something similar above the signals! Sometimes the plan just doesn’t come together, but you still get something nice that wasn’t even part of my plan, but someone else’s? Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 24mm, f/5, 20 seconds, ISO 2500. #railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #trending

I set out last night to hopefully catch the northern lights at Slaughters, Ky

I set out last night to hopefully catch the northern lights at work and ended up with this scene at the north end of the siding at Slaughters, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on May 11th, 2024. I shot till after 10pm and while the northern lights didn’t appear for my shot while was there, I did see 7 trains, did 2 live videos and caught one shooting star, plus probably an airplane or something similar above the signals!

Sometimes the plan just doesn’t come together, but you still get something nice that wasn’t even part of my plan, but someone else’s?

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 24mm, f/5, 20 seconds, ISO 2500.

CSXT 3305 leads a mixed freight heads north along the W&A Subdivision, as it passes under the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum line at East Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 28th, 2024. The W&A Sub is named for the Western and Atlantic Railroad which ran between Chattanooga and Terminus. Today, CSX operates this line as the W&A Sub and the mileposts carry the prefix of OWA. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 270. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #PassengerTrain #csx #TennesseeTrains

CSXT 3305 leads a mixed freight heads north along the W&A Subdivision at Chattanooga, TN

CSXT 3305 leads a mixed freight heads north along the W&A Subdivision, as it passes under the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum line at East Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 28th, 2024. The W&A Sub is named for the Western and Atlantic Railroad which ran between Chattanooga and Terminus. Today, CSX operates this line as the W&A Sub and the mileposts carry the prefix of OWA.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 270.

May 4th, 2024 – Episode 70Saturday Edited Video from Jim Pearson Photography

This week we catch the Paducah and Louisville Local at Madisonville, Ky and then a lot of rail action on the Henderson Subdivision, including a 4-way meet at Crofton, Ky and a Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost leading at Kelly, Ky. Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen, enjoy and please like, share, subscribe, and thanks for watching!

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south as it approaches the middle of Casky Yard at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567 heads south at Casky Yard, Hopkinsville, Ky

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south as it approaches the middle of Casky Yard at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south through the Crofton Cut at Crofton, Kentucky on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567 southbound at Crofton Cut, Crofton, Ky

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south through the Crofton Cut at Crofton, Kentucky on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

In this week’s Saturday Infrared Photo, we catch CSXT 7201 as it leads hot intermodal I025 south through the cut approaching the Cavanaugh Road overpass just north of Kelly, Kentucky, on April 13th, 2024, on the Henderson Subdivision. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 20mm, f/5.6, 1/450, ISO 400.

Infrared Photo, we catch CSXT 7201 leads I025 south at Kelly, Kentucky

In this week’s Saturday Infrared Photo, we catch CSXT 7201 as it leads hot intermodal I025 south through the cut approaching the Cavanaugh Road overpass just north of Kelly, Kentucky, on April 13th, 2024, on the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 20mm, f/5.6, 1/450, ISO 400.

CSX M500 heads north at Mortons Gap, Kentucky, as they make their way north on a beautiful spring evening, on April 15th, 2024, along the CSX Henderson Subdivision. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 160.

CSX M500 northbound at Mortons Gap, Kentucky

CSX M500 heads north at Mortons Gap, Kentucky, as they make their way north on a beautiful spring evening, on April 15th, 2024, along the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 160.

A Loram Badger Ditcher Machine, DC-2, heads north out of the siding at Crofton, Kentucky as W055-13, on April 12th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. According to their website: Loram’s Badger Ditcher is a self-propelled ditch cleaner that can move 1,000 tons of material every hour, excavating at up to 22 feet from the center of the track. The Loram ditch cleaner creates a properly sloped ditch that intercepts and diverts water away from the track. The ditcher’s high-speed, high-performance ditching wheel digs in and picks up mud and water. As the wheel digs the ditch, water begins to flow. The Badger Ditcher helps manage, remedy, and prevent the damaging effects from a host of penetrating water sources, including direct precipitation, groundwater migration, springs and trapped water, saturation, and seepage. Ditch maintenance best practices using the Badger Ditcher lets railroads improve vital drainage for the subgrade, lower the water table, control run-off, and promote free flow from the ballast section that can extend the effective duration of undercutting and ballast cleaning cycles. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 240.

A Loram Badger Ditcher Machine, DC-2, heads north out of the siding at Crofton, Kentucky as W055-13

A Loram Badger Ditcher Machine, DC-2, heads north out of the siding at Crofton, Kentucky as W055-13, on April 12th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

According to their website: Loram’s Badger Ditcher is a self-propelled ditch cleaner that can move 1,000 tons of material every hour, excavating at up to 22 feet from the center of the track. The Loram ditch cleaner creates a properly sloped ditch that intercepts and diverts water away from the track. The ditcher’s high-speed, high-performance ditching wheel digs in and picks up mud and water. As the wheel digs the ditch, water begins to flow.

The Badger Ditcher helps manage, remedy, and prevent the damaging effects from a host of penetrating water sources, including direct precipitation, groundwater migration, springs and trapped water, saturation, and seepage. Ditch maintenance best practices using the Badger Ditcher lets railroads improve vital drainage for the subgrade, lower the water table, control run-off, and promote free flow from the ballast section that can extend the effective duration of undercutting and ballast cleaning cycles.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 240.

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south across Red River Trestle at Adams, Tennessee, on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, heads south across Red River Trestle, Adams, TN

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south across Red River Trestle at Adams, Tennessee, on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south as it passes under US 41 at Mortons Gap, Kentucky on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CSX B647 with KCS Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and NS 9649 leading at Mortons Gap, Ky

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south as it passes under US 41 at Mortons Gap, Kentucky on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

A Loram Badger Ditcher Machine, DC-2, heads north past Arklow at Madisonville, Kentucky, as W055-13, on April 12th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. According to their website: Loram’s Badger Ditcher is a self-propelled ditch cleaner that can move 1,000 tons of material every hour, excavating at up to 22 feet from the center of the track. The Loram ditch cleaner creates a properly sloped ditch that intercepts and diverts water away from the track. The ditcher’s high-speed, high-performance ditching wheel digs in and picks up mud and water. As the wheel digs the ditch, water begins to flow. The Badger Ditcher helps manage, remedy, and prevent the damaging effects from a host of penetrating water sources, including direct precipitation, groundwater migration, springs and trapped water, saturation, and seepage. Ditch maintenance best practices using the Badger Ditcher lets railroads improve vital drainage for the subgrade, lower the water table, control run-off, and promote free flow from the ballast section that can extend the effective duration of undercutting and ballast cleaning cycles. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 150. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #csxt #dronephoto #trainsfromadrone #trending #csxhendersonsubdivision #trainsfromadrone

Loram Badger Ditcher Machine, DC-2, northbound at Madisonville, Kentucky

A Loram Badger Ditcher Machine, DC-2, heads north past Arklow at Madisonville, Kentucky, as W055-13, on April 12th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

According to their website: Loram’s Badger Ditcher is a self-propelled ditch cleaner that can move 1,000 tons of material every hour, excavating at up to 22 feet from the center of the track. The Loram ditch cleaner creates a properly sloped ditch that intercepts and diverts water away from the track. The ditcher’s high-speed, high-performance ditching wheel digs in and picks up mud and water. As the wheel digs the ditch, water begins to flow.

The Badger Ditcher helps manage, remedy, and prevent the damaging effects from a host of penetrating water sources, including direct precipitation, groundwater migration, springs and trapped water, saturation, and seepage. Ditch maintenance best practices using the Badger Ditcher lets railroads improve vital drainage for the subgrade, lower the water table, control run-off, and promote free flow from the ballast section that can extend the effective duration of undercutting and ballast cleaning cycles.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 150.

CSX intermodal, I128, passes under the US 41 bridge as it heads north at Mortons Gap, Ky on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 140.

CSX intermodal, I128, northbound at Mortons Gap, Ky

CSX intermodal, I128, passes under the US 41 bridge as it heads north at Mortons Gap, Ky on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 140.

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B621 with Norfolk Southern 4025, 3603 and CSXT 5481 on main 1 heads south through the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky, on April 12th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Hookers Point - Tampa, FL, as needed. Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @150mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 160. #railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography

CSX B621 with Norfolk Southern 4025, 3603 and CSXT 5481 southbound at Nortonville, Ky

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B621 with Norfolk Southern 4025, 3603 and CSXT 5481 on main 1 heads south through the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky, on April 12th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Hookers Point – Tampa, FL, as needed.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @150mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 160.

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south across the Sulfur Fork Creek Trestle at Springfield, Tennessee, on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 southbound at Springfield, Tennessee

A loaded southbound ethanol train, CSX B647 with Kansas City Southern Gray Ghost 4567, KCS 4162 and Norfolk Southern 9649 leading, heads south across the Sulfur Fork Creek Trestle at Springfield, Tennessee, on April 15th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

The Henderson Subdivision sees foreign power quite often and this train is one example of it. This train runs from Bensenville, IL (CPKC) to Lawrenceville, GA, as needed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

April 21, 2024, As many of you know I've been working on a landscapes photo challenge I've titled 7-Minutes till Sunset, but I fudged on this one and it was shot at 10 minutes till Sunset. - During this challenge have been photographing a landscape daily from the air at 7 minutes till sunset, but today I was planning on shooting Gum Lick Trestle, just north of Kelly, Ky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on April 21st, 2024. However, I was blessed with two trains here at sunset today and this is the one closest to my 7 minute mark, which was shot about 3 minutes early, as loaded grain train CSX G413 heads south across it. I really didn't expect a train at this spot at sunset, let along two about 15 minutes apart! The first train was a northbound empty coal train which I'll post later in the week as it was about 30 minutes before sunset. I threw up a prayer on my way to Gum Lick from my home in Richland letting the good Lord know it'd be nice if I had a train on the trestle at Sunset, I think he provided nicely even though I didn't expect an answer so breathtakingly, as this line sees very few trains at this time of the day through here! You just never know. Exposure was for the sun and then I brought up the mid-tones and shadows in the RAW file processing. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

G413 southbound at Gum Lick Trestle at Sunset, Kelly, Ky

April 21, 2024, As many of you know I’ve been working on a landscapes photo challenge I’ve titled 7-Minutes till Sunset, but I fudged on this one and it was shot at 10 minutes till Sunset. – During this challenge have been photographing a landscape daily from the air at 7 minutes till sunset, but today I was planning on shooting Gum Lick Trestle, just north of Kelly, Ky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on April 21st, 2024.

However, I was blessed with two trains here at sunset today and this is the one closest to my 7 minute mark, which was shot about 3 minutes early, as loaded grain train CSX G413 heads south across it. I really didn’t expect a train at this spot at sunset, let along two about 15 minutes apart! The first train was a northbound empty coal train which I’ll post later in the week as it was about 30 minutes before sunset.

I threw up a prayer on my way to Gum Lick from my home in Richland letting the good Lord know it’d be nice if I had a train on the trestle at Sunset, I think he provided nicely even though I didn’t expect an answer so breathtakingly, as this line sees very few trains at this time of the day through here! You just never know.

Exposure was for the sun and then I brought up the mid-tones and shadows in the RAW file processing.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.