Aerial/Drone Photography – Page 3 – Jim Pearson Photography

Members of the Henderson Fire Department work on putting out a tie fire at Henderson, Ky

Members of the Henderson Fire Department work on putting out a tie fire on the bridge that spans the Ohio River on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Henderson, Kentucky as a fire boat works from below. Several ties were involved in the fire on the afternoon of 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. I’ll be posting shots with M648 with the CE&I heritage unit leading across the bridge this afternoon, so stay tuned!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/2000, ISO 110.

East Broad Top (EBT) 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 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 mixed freight through the early morning fog

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a mixed freight through the early morning fog as they head to Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, during the museum’s Friends of the East Broad top event.

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, 1/400, ISO 120.

Reading Blue Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 passes a farmer mowing his grass…

Reading Blue Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 passes a farmer mowing his grass as they approach the Church Road crossing at Barnesville on their way to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, on October 5th, 2024.

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: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Reading Blue Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 leads a passenger train

Reading Blue Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 leads a passenger train as it approaches a crossing at Molino, Pennsylvania, on October 5th, 2024 as they head for Jim Thorpe during one of their fall excursions.

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: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 200.

CSXT 85 leads S991 as they cross the Gum Lick Trestle on a depressed flatbed at Kelly, Kentucky

CSXT 85 leads S991 as they cross the Gum Lick Trestle on a depressed flatbed at Kelly, Kentucky with an oversized load heading south on October 16th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The load is traveling on KRL 204041, a Schnabel car with Red and Ready KRL 073 caboose trailing.

According to Wikipedia: A Schnabel car or Schnabel wagon is a specialized type of railroad freight car. It is designed to carry heavy and oversized loads in such a way that the load makes up part of the car. The load is suspended between the two ends of the cars by lifting arms; the lifting arms are connected to an assembly of span bolsters that distribute the weight of the load and the lifting arm over many wheels.

When a Schnabel car is empty, the two lifting arms are connected to one another and the car can usually operate at normal freight train speeds. Some Schnabel cars include hydraulic equipment that will either lift or horizontally shift the load while in transit (at very low speeds) to clear obstructions along the car’s route.

That is the case with this car as there was a crew on the caboose that shifted the load whenever necessary on meets or areas with close clearance. It was traveling at 25 mph on the mains and much slower through turnouts and switches.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 140.

SXT 85 leads S991 as they wait in the siding for CSX I128 with the Seaboard System Heritage Unit trailing…

CSXT 85 leads S991 as they wait in the siding for CSX I128 with the Seaboard System Heritage Unit trailing second to pass them at the north end of Crofton, Ky, on October 16th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. CSX S991 has a depressed flatbed with an oversized load traveling on KRL 204041, a Schnabel car with Red and Ready KRL 073 caboose trailing.

According to Wikipedia: A Schnabel car or Schnabel wagon is a specialized type of railroad freight car. It is designed to carry heavy and oversized loads in such a way that the load makes up part of the car. The load is suspended between the two ends of the cars by lifting arms; the lifting arms are connected to an assembly of span bolsters that distribute the weight of the load and the lifting arm over many wheels.

When a Schnabel car is empty, the two lifting arms are connected to one another and the car can usually operate at normal freight train speeds. Some Schnabel cars include hydraulic equipment that will either lift or horizontally shift the load while in transit (at very low speeds) to clear obstructions along the car’s route.

That is the case with this car as there was a crew on the caboose that shifted the load whenever necessary on meets or areas with close clearance. It was traveling at 25 mph on the mains and much slower through turnouts and switches.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 140.

Canadian National 89 pulls from its passenger train at the Strasburg Railroad Depot…

Canadian National 89 pulls from its passenger train at the Strasburg Railroad Depot to run around the train in preparation for another departure from the depot at Ronks, PA, on October 7th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: The Strasburg Rail Road (reporting mark SRC) is a heritage railroad and the oldest continuously operating standard-gauge railroad in the western hemisphere, as well as the oldest public utility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Chartered in 1832, the Strasburg Rail Road Company is today a heritage railroad offering excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives on 4.02 mi of track in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, as well as providing contract railroad mechanical services, and freight service to area shippers. The railroad’s headquarters are outside Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

Canadian National 89 pulls a passenger train across the only overpass on the Strasburg Railroad

Canadian National 89 pulls a passenger train across the only overpass on the Strasburg Railroad as It heads back to the depot at Ronks, PA, on October 7th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: The Strasburg Rail Road (reporting mark SRC) is a heritage railroad and the oldest continuously operating standard-gauge railroad in the western hemisphere, as well as the oldest public utility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Chartered in 1832, the Strasburg Rail Road Company is today a heritage railroad offering excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives on 4.02 mi of track in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, as well as providing contract railroad mechanical services, and freight service to area shippers. The railroad’s headquarters are outside Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

East Broad Top (EBT) 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.

East Broad Top steam locomotive #16 pulls a mixed freight through the early morning fog

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a mixed freight through the early morning fog as they head to Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 5th, 2024, during the museum’s Friends of the East Broad top event.

This is my first post from a week-long trip I took with Bryan Burton (Photography) where we traveled 2,800 miles and covered steam operations at Reading and Blue Northern Railway (2102), East Broad Top Railroad, Strasburg Railroad and then a two-day photo charter by Dak Dillion Photography at the Valley Railroad in Essex, CT. It was a long, but fun and exciting trip for sure! You’ll see a lot of steam action over the coming weeks!

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, 1/400, ISO 100.

BNSF 8057, NS 8068 and BNSF 5177 lead an eastbound train through the famous Tehachapi Loop

September 18th, 2024, BNSF 8057, NS 8068 and BNSF 5177 lead an eastbound train through the famous Tehachapi Loop on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision at Keene, California.

According to Wikipedia: The Tehachapi Loop is a 3,779-foot-long (0.72 mi; 1.15 km) spiral, or helix, on the Union Pacific Railroad Mojave Subdivision through Tehachapi Pass, of the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern County, south-central California. The line connects Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley to Mojave in the Mojave Desert.

Rising at a steady two-percent grade, the track gains 77 feet (23 m) in elevation and makes a 1,210-foot-diameter (370 m) circle. Any train that is more than 3,800 feet (1,200 m) long—about 56 boxcars—passes over itself going around the loop. At the bottom of the loop, the track passes through Tunnel 9, the ninth tunnel built as the railroad was extended from Bakersfield.

The line averages about 36 freight trains each day. Passenger trains such as Amtrak’s San Joaquin are banned from the loop, although the Coast Starlight can use it as a detour. Its frequent trains and scenic setting make the Tehachapi Loop popular with railfans. In 1998, it was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It is also designated as California Historical Landmark #508.

One of the engineering feats of its day, the Loop was built by Southern Pacific Railroad to ease the grade over Tehachapi Pass. Construction began in 1874, and the line opened in 1876.

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

BNSF 7115, 9128 and Ferromex 4050 lead an southbound train out of Tehachapi, CA

September 18th, 2024, BNSF 7115, 9128 and Ferromex 4050 lead an southbound train as they head toward Tehachapi Loop on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision at from Tehachapi, California.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 110.

BNSF freight train heads north through the mountains after passing through the Tehachapi the loop

September 19th, 2024, BNSF freight train heads north through the mountains after passing through the Tehachapi the loop at Woodford, California, on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

A BNSF northbound train works its way out of the horseshoe curve on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision

September 18th, 2024, A BNSF northbound train works its way out of the horseshoe curve on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision at Caliente, California, starting their climb up through the Tehachapi Pass.

According to Wikipedia: Established in the 1870s, Caliente was originally named Allens Camp for a cattle rancher and settler named Gabriel Allen. Later, the name Agua Caliente, coming from hot springs in the area, was proposed and may have been used. This name conflicted with the community of the same name in Sonoma County. With the railroad’s arrival in 1875, the shortened name Caliente was adopted.

Caliente prospered during Southern Pacific Railroad’s construction of Tehachapi Pass line. For a time, the Telegraph Stage Line and the Cerro Gordo Freighting Co. also ran through Caliente and its full-time population grew to 200. There were approximately 60 buildings, including 20 or more saloons.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

BNSF 4441 leads an northbound freight train after they skirt around tunnel 10 from Tehachapi Loop

September 18th, 2024, BNSF 4441 leads an northbound freight train after they skirt around tunnel 10 from Tehachapi Loop on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision at, Woodford, California.

According to Wikipedia: The Tehachapi Loop is a 3,779-foot-long (0.72 mi; 1.15 km) spiral, or helix, on the Union Pacific Railroad Mojave Subdivision through Tehachapi Pass, of the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern County, south-central California. The line connects Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley to Mojave in the Mojave Desert.

Rising at a steady two-percent grade, the track gains 77 feet (23 m) in elevation and makes a 1,210-foot-diameter (370 m) circle. Any train that is more than 3,800 feet (1,200 m) long—about 56 boxcars—passes over itself going around the loop. At the bottom of the loop, the track passes through Tunnel 9, the ninth tunnel built as the railroad was extended from Bakersfield.

The line averages about 36 freight trains each day. Passenger trains such as Amtrak’s San Joaquin are banned from the loop, although the Coast Starlight can use it as a detour. Its frequent trains and scenic setting make the Tehachapi Loop popular with railfans. In 1998, it was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It is also designated as California Historical Landmark #508.

One of the engineering feats of its day, the Loop was built by Southern Pacific Railroad to ease the grade over Tehachapi Pass. Construction began in 1874, and the line opened in 1876.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150.

Union Pacific 5533 leads an southbound intermodal train as they exit tunnel 10 and head into Tehachapi Loop

September 18th, 2024, Union Pacific 5533 leads an southbound intermodal train as they exit tunnel 10 and head into Tehachapi Loop on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision at Woodford, California.

According to Wikipedia: The Tehachapi Loop is a 3,779-foot-long (0.72 mi; 1.15 km) spiral, or helix, on the Union Pacific Railroad Mojave Subdivision through Tehachapi Pass, of the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern County, south-central California. The line connects Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley to Mojave in the Mojave Desert.

Rising at a steady two-percent grade, the track gains 77 feet (23 m) in elevation and makes a 1,210-foot-diameter (370 m) circle. Any train that is more than 3,800 feet (1,200 m) long—about 56 boxcars—passes over itself going around the loop. At the bottom of the loop, the track passes through Tunnel 9, the ninth tunnel built as the railroad was extended from Bakersfield.

The line averages about 36 freight trains each day. Passenger trains such as Amtrak’s San Joaquin are banned from the loop, although the Coast Starlight can use it as a detour. Its frequent trains and scenic setting make the Tehachapi Loop popular with railfans. In 1998, it was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It is also designated as California Historical Landmark #508.

One of the engineering feats of its day, the Loop was built by Southern Pacific Railroad to ease the grade over Tehachapi Pass. Construction began in 1874, and the line opened in 1876.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 110.

BNSF tank train heads south through the mountains toward Tehachapi the loop…

September 19th, 2024, BNSF tank train heads south through the mountains toward Tehachapi the loop at Woodford, California, on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 200.

BNSF mixed freight heads north through the mountains toward Tehachapi, California

September 18th, 2024, BNSF mixed freight heads north through the mountains toward Tehachapi, California, on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision on a beautiful summer evening.

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

A BNSF northbound train works its way out of the horseshoe curve on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision…

September 18th, 2024, A BNSF northbound train works its way out of the horseshoe curve on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision at Caliente, California, starting their climb up through the Tehachapi Pass.

According to Wikipedia: Established in the 1870s, Caliente was originally named Allens Camp for a cattle rancher and settler named Gabriel Allen. Later, the name Agua Caliente, coming from hot springs in the area, was proposed and may have been used. This name conflicted with the community of the same name in Sonoma County. With the railroad’s arrival in 1875, the shortened name Caliente was adopted.

Caliente prospered during Southern Pacific Railroad’s construction of Tehachapi Pass line. For a time, the Telegraph Stage Line and the Cerro Gordo Freighting Co. also ran through Caliente and its full-time population grew to 200. There were approximately 60 buildings, including 20 or more saloons.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

BNSF intermodal heads north out of Tehachapi, California

September 19th, 2024, BNSF intermodal heads north out of Tehachapi, California, on the Union Pacific Mojave Subdivision on a beautiful summer evening.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150.