October 28, 2021 – Drone Livestream from Hanson, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Paducah and Louisville loaded coal northbound at Pond River, Madisonville, KY
The DPU end of Paducah and Louisville Railway Louisville Gas and Electric loaded coal train brings up the rear as it heads north past Pond Rivers siding on October 25th, 2021, with the entire train in view from this drone viewpoint on a stormy fall afternoon, east of Madisonville, Ky.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.
Paducah and Louisville Railway LGE loaded coal train northbound at Monarch, Madisonville, KY
X marks the spot! I keep returning to this location known as Monarch, where the CSX Henderson Subdivision passes under the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Madisonville, KY, as someday I’ll catch a train on both lines at the same time! It’s just a matter of patience, determination, and a lot of luck! It hasn’t happened yet, but it will!
Here we find Paducah and Louisville Railway’s (PAL) Louisville Gas and Electric loaded coal train as it heads north with PAL 2013, University of Louisville locomotive leading the way, on October 25th, 2021, passing over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Arklow, as the fall color begins to show in the trees.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 100.
CSX loaded grain train G390 heads south on the Henderson Subdivision at Mortons Gap, KY
The fall harvests have started moving south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision as with many other railroads around the country. Here I caught CSX G390 as the late evening light rakes across the landscape with a Grain Express unit train, headed up by CSXT 5213, 3021 and 9010 as they approach Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Kentucky, on October 13th, 2021.
To the right is the cutoff track that bypasses downtown Earlington and Madisonville, Ky allowing dispatch to run trains past each other, and the grain train is on the mainline that goes through the towns. In the past there has been movements to double-track the cutoff and pull up the track in the two towns for a rails to trails, but the money for such an venture has never been raised.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 130.
Paducah and Louisville Railway 4518 heads south with a load of coal at Dawson Springs, KY
Paducah and Louisville Railway 4518 leads a southbound load of coal over the Tradewater River at Dawson Springs, Kentucky, with a splash of fall color beginning to show in the surrounding trees.
According to Wikipedia: The Paducah & Louisville Railway is a Class II railroad that operates freight service between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky. The line is located entirely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The 270-mile line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August of 1986.
The 270-mile (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August 1986 and the 223-mile (359 km) main route runs between Paducah and Louisville, with branch lines from Paducah to Kevil and Mayfield, Kentucky, and another from Cecilia to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The PAL interchanges with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and Canadian National (CN), formerly Illinois Central Railroad, in Paducah
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100.
CSXT 3398 leads CSX 513 as it passes windmill parts train W986 at Hanson, Kentucky
CSXT 3398 leads CSX 513 as it passes windmill parts train W986 tied down in the siding at Hanson, Kentucky, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision, with a 10,980-foot train, as the fall colors begin to show in the landscape on October 21st, 2021.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 100.
Norfolk Southern 167 heads east across the Indiana Southern Railway at Oakland City, IN
Norfolk Southern 167 passes through downtown Oakland City, Indiana as it crosses over the Indiana Southern line at the diamond, on its way east along the NS Southern East District with five locomotives and NS 4452 leading the charge on October 9th, 2021!
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.
CSX G390 grain train southbound at Rahm, Indiana on the Henderson Subdivision
It’s that time of the year when the fall harvests begin moving south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision as with many other railroads around the country. Here I caught CSX G390, a Grain Express unit train, headed up by CSXT 5213, 3021 and 9010, as they head south up the viaduct to the Ohio River between Rahm, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky, on October 13th, 2021.
During the rainy season these fields fill up with the overflow from the Ohio River, which is the reason this viaduct was built by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110.
Indiana Southern Railroad passes Kent Grain as it heads south at Plainville, Indiana
Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3371, 3388, 3372 and 3387, lead an empty coal train north, past Kent Grain in Plainville, Indiana on October 9th, 2021. The crew will take the train to Elnora, IN where they tie it down for the Indiana Railroad (INRD) to pick up. The INRD crew will then take the train on their railroad to Bear Run Mine near Dugger, IN for another load of coal for the Petersburg Generating Station at Petersburg, IN.
According to Wikipedia: The Indiana Southern Railroad (reporting mark ISRR) is a short line or Class III railroad operating in the United States state of Indiana. It began operations in 1992 as a RailTex property and was acquired by RailAmerica in 2000. RailAmerica was itself acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in December 2012. They operate 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville, Indiana.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 100.
CSX W989 with Union Pacific 2603 leading a brand new Brightline Inter-City Trainset at Robards, KY
CSX W989 with Union Pacific 2603 leading a brand new Brightline Inter-City Trainset, passes a northbound empty coal train at Robards, Kentucky, as it heads south as on the Henderson Subdivision to Florida on October 8th, 2021.
According to Wikipedia: Brightline is a privately run inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. Brightline began operating over its current route in January 2018 and the company is currently building an extension to the Orlando International Airport which is expected to enter service in 2022.
As of August 2020, it is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. The line was developed starting in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries, a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014 on stations and improvements to tracks owned by the Florida East Coast Railway, which at the start of construction, was also owned by Fortress (it was sold in January 2018).
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.
Norfolk Southern 167 heads east out of Princeton, Indiana with a mixed freight train
Fellow railfans Cooper Smith, Ryan Scott and I spent about 5 hours railfanning southern Indiana on October 9th, 2021, were we caught 5 different railroads operating in the area! We caught RJ Corman, Canadian Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Indiana Southern and Ryan caught BNSF for his sixth railroad after we parted company. A great day of railfanning!
Here we find Norfolk Southern 167 as it begins its slow roll at East Douglas as it departs from Princeton, Indiana on the NS Southern West District, through the partially harvested farm fields.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.
Northbound CSX K442 at Princeton, Indiana with Canadian Pacific 8637 leading
Fellow railfans Cooper Smith, Ryan Scott and I spent about 5 hours railfanning southern Indiana on October 9th, 2021 and were fortunate enough to catch 5 different railroads operating in the area! We caught RJ Corman, Canadian Pacific, (Cooper and I), CSX, Norfolk Southern, Indiana Southern and Ryan caught BNSF for a sixth railroad after we parted company. A great day of railfanning!
Here we find Canadian Pacific Railway 8637 passing the Virtual Railfan Cameras at the restored CE&I and L&N Depot in Princeton, Indiana as it leads CSX K442 north on the CSX CE&D Subdivision.
According to The Gibson County Website: Constructed in 1875 and beautifully restored, the Princeton Depot is the only remaining depot structure in Gibson County. Once housing the C&EI and L&N railways, it was the lifeline of commerce and transportation for the county. Passenger service was discontinued from the depot in late 1960. Today the depot stands as a nostalgic reminder of the importance railroads have played in Gibson Countys history.
The Princeton Train Depot is now home to the Gibson County Visitors Center and features a railway museum with a restored train caboose.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 200.
Trackside in Southern Indiana with UP Dave on the CSX Henderson Subdivision
On October 13th, 2021, I spent most of the day trackside with Virtual Railfan Moderator UP Dave, (David Siteman) showing him around some of my favorite spots in Western Kentucky and southern Indiana. We both had a great day trackside, and it was finally great to meet him in person! If youre not already a member, check out Virtual Railfan Live and Virtual Railfan Lounge here on Facebook!
Here we find CSXT 5110 as it leads empty coal train CSX E300-12, a Stilesboro, GA (Plant Bowen) to Effingham, IL (CN) train, across the Ohio River bridge from Henderson, KY on the way north to Evansville, IN on the Henderson Subdivision. This bridge was originally built by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and was intended to be double tracked eventually, but it never happened.
According to Wikipedia: The Bridge spans the Ohio River between Henderson, Kentucky and Vanderburgh County, Indiana. The bridge is owned by the CSX Transportation.
The original bridge was constructed in 1884 to 1885 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad at a cost of $2,000,000. The single-tracked bridge was approximately 3,686 feet (1,123 m) long, and its longest span, at 525 feet (160 m), was reputed to be the longest trestle span in the world at that time. The bridge ran from the northern edge of Main Street in Henderson to the low water mark on the Indiana side, resting on 15 stone piers. It was designed to carry two 118,000-pound (54,000 kg) engines followed by 60,000-pound (27,000 kg) coal tenders, and its maximum uniform load capacity was 2,500 pounds per foot (3,700 kg/m). A crowd of 8,000 watched the first train cross the bridge on July 13, 1885.
Prior to the opening of the bridge, railroad passengers and freight had to be transferred to a ferry for the river crossing. The bridge reduced the travel time by several hours.
By 1930 the volume and weight of train traffic were taxing the capabilities of the original bridge. Construction of a new bridge just upstream of the old one began in May 1931. The new bridge, costing over $3,000,000, opened on December 31, 1932. Including its approaches, It is 12,123 feet (3,695 m) long, and its span over the main channel is 648 feet (198 m) long. The demolition of the old bridge, using dynamite, was completed on December 11, 1933.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.
CSX W989 with Union Pacific 2603 leading a Florida Brightline Trainset at Nortonville, KY
CSX W989 with Union Pacific 2603 leading snakes through the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with a brand new Brightline inter-city Trainset as it heads south as on the Henderson Subdivision to Florida on October 8th, 2021.
According to Wikipedia: Brightline is a privately run inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. Brightline began operating over its current route in January 2018 and the company is currently building an extension to the Orlando International Airport which is expected to enter service in 2022.
As of August 2020, it is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. The line was developed starting in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries, a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014 on stations and improvements to tracks owned by the Florida East Coast Railway, which at the start of construction, was also owned by Fortress (it was sold in January 2018).
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.
Indiana Southern Railroad empty coal train southbound at Washington Township, Indiana
Fellow railfans Cooper Smith, Ryan Scott and I spent about 5 hours railfanning southern Indiana on October 9th, 2021 and were fortunate enough to catch 5 different railroads operating in the area! We caught RJ Corman, Canadian Pacific, (Cooper and I), CSX, Norfolk Southern, Indiana Southern and Ryan caught BNSF for his fifth railroad. A great day of railfanning!
Here we find Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) 3371, 3388, 3372 and 3387, as they lead an empty coal train north, past Thomas Siding at Washington Township, Indiana, as the crew takes the train to Elnora, IN where they tied it down for the Indiana Railroad (INRD) to pick up. The INRD crew will then take the train on their railroad to Bear Run Mine at Carlisle, IN for another load of coal for the Petersburg Generating Station at Petersburg, IN.
According to Wikipedia: The Indiana Southern Railroad (reporting mark ISRR) is a short line or Class III railroad operating in the United States state of Indiana. It began operations in 1992 as a RailTex property and was acquired by RailAmerica in 2000. RailAmerica was itself acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in December 2012. They operate 186 miles of track from Indianapolis to Evansville, Indiana.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 110.
Union Pacific 2603 leads a brand new Brightline Commuter Trainset south at Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Union Pacific 2603 leads a brand new Brightline inter-city Trainset as it heads south as CSX W989 on the Henderson Subdivision at John Rivers Road Crossing at CSX Casky yard in Hopkinsville, Kentucky as it heads south to Florida on October 8th, 2021.
According to Wikipedia: “Brightline is a privately run inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. Brightline began operating over its current route in January 2018 and the company is currently building an extension to the Orlando International Airport which is expected to enter service in 2022.
As of August 2020, it is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. The line was developed starting in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries, a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014 on stations and improvements to tracks owned by the Florida East Coast Railway, which at the start of construction, was also owned by Fortress (it was sold in January 2018).”
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.
Brightline inter-city Trainset southbound at CSX Casky Yard, Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Union Pacific 2603 leads a brand new Brightline inter-city Trainset as it heads south as CSX W989 on the Henderson Subdivision at CSX Casky yard in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on its way south to Florida on October 8th, 2021.
According to Wikipedia: “Brightline is a privately run inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. Brightline began operating over its current route in January 2018 and the company is currently building an extension to the Orlando International Airport which is expected to enter service in 2022.
As of August 2020, it is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. The line was developed starting in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries, a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014 on stations and improvements to tracks owned by the Florida East Coast Railway, which at the start of construction, was also owned by Fortress (it was sold in January 2018).
In late 2018, it was announced that Virgin Group would become a minority investor in the railroad and would provide rights to rebrand the service as Virgin Trains USA. In August 2020 they reverted to the Brightline name, ending the branding deal, claiming that Virgin had not provided the agreed investment money.”
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.
Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4522 LGE coal train Northbound at Madisonville, KY
Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4522 (UK paint scheme) roll across Interstate 69 at Madisonville, Kentucky as they head north with their loaded coal train, bound for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky on October 5th, 2021.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 120.
Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local arrives at Paducah, Kentucky
The daily Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local, led by CN 8887 and 5485 passes newly refurbished NB Southern 6401 at the north end of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard at Paducah, KY on June 29th, 2021, to do its interchange work.
Locomotive 6401 was the first of six units that are being refurbished by Progress Rail for NBSR out of Saint John, NB, Canada. The other units are 6402-6406 and they are all SD70M-2 units.
According to Wikipedia: The New Brunswick Southern Railway Company Limited (reporting mark NBSR) is a 131.7 mi (212.0 km) Canadian short line railway owned by the New Brunswick Railway Company Limited, a holding company that is part of “Irving Transportation Services”, a division within the industrial conglomerate J.D. Irving Limited.
Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 loaded coal train at Eastview, Kentucky
I spent the afternoon of August 17th, 2021, chasing the Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 loaded coal train from Madisonville to Eastview, Kentucky. The latter was my goal for this chase as hadn’t photographed the cut at Eastview before and it has been on my list for a while.
I got to the location about 10 minutes before the train and checked out the scene with my Nikon first as the cut is right up against the bridge on Meeting Creek Road and I wasnt sure I wanted or even needed to use the drone at this location. After consideration I decided to launch the drone as I felt it could give me the best platform for a shot that would offer the best perspective that was different from other photos Ive seen taken from here.
With the drone in place, it was a short wait as I captured Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead the Louisville Gas & Electric loaded coal train as it started its way north through the cut at Eastview, Kentucky.
Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.