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.

CSX M648 with the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad (CE&I) heritage unit leading heads north across the Ohio River from Henderson, Kentucky, after members of the Henderson Fire Department finished putting out an initial tie fire on the bridge that spans the river on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Henderson, Kentucky on October 26th, 2024, and fortunately except for the ties, the bridge is made out of steel.

The fire did disrupt traffic on the CSX Henderson Subdivision for a couple hours and while CSX M648 did make it across after being delayed about 30 minutes and after the ties were first put out, afterwards the ties reignited and delayed hot intermodal I025 on the Evansville, IN, side of the river for almost two hours, till the ties were completely extinguished.

According to the CSX Website: July 26, 2024 – CSX has unveiled its 17th heritage locomotive, paying tribute to the historic Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad. This locomotive is part of CSX’s ongoing series celebrating the rich legacy of America’s railroads.

The C&EI was established in 1877, initially serving as a regional line connecting Chicago with southern Illinois, St. Louis, Mo. and Evansville, Ind. Over time, it expanded its reach, becoming an important link between the Midwest and the southern United States. The C&EI played a vital role in transporting coal, agricultural products, and manufactured goods, significantly contributing to the region’s economic development.

In 1967, the C&EI was absorbed by the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. In the 1980s, as CSX expanded its network, it acquired various lines and assets from other railroads, including parts of former C&EI lines that had been integrated into the Missouri Pacific. This indirect acquisition process allowed CSX to incorporate the historic routes and legacy of the C&EI into its expansive system.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/1250,