Tennessee Central 6902 runs around its train at Watertown, TN

This was my first time chasing the Tennessee Moonshine Sippin' Excursion Train from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum (TCRX), which operates out of Nashville, TN, on June 12th, 2021. While it was a hot and muggy day, me and fellow railfan Ryan Scott, of Steelrails, had a great time chasing this train from Nashville to Watertown, TN and back, along the Nashville, and Eastern Railway line. 

Here Tennessee Central Railway Museums E8 unit, 6902 runs around it's train at Watertown in preparation for their return trip to Nashville.

According to their website: EMD E8 6902 was built as New York Central 4084 in 1953. This unit would've been at the head end of many name trains of the Central's Great Steel Fleet; including the 20th Century Limited, the Empire State Express, and the Ohio State Limited, among others. The E8 (termed DPA-5e by NYC) would serve in passenger service through the Penn Central merger, and commuter service for New Jersey Transit, before settling down at the New Georgia Railroad in 1992. When the latter operation folded, a museum member purchased this unit for use on the Broadway Dinner Train, which prompted the silver and maroon colors worn today.

Since 1989, TCRM has been running passenger excursions from Nashville to points east such as Lebanon, Watertown, Baxter, Cookeville, and Monterey, Tennessee. 

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

Tennessee Central 6902 runs around its train at Watertown, TN

This was my first time chasing the Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum (TCRX), which operates out of Nashville, TN, on June 12th, 2021. While it was a hot and muggy day, me and fellow railfan Ryan Scott, of Steelrails, had a great time chasing this train from Nashville to Watertown, TN and back, along the Nashville, and Eastern Railway line.

Here Tennessee Central Railway Museums E8 unit, 6902 runs around it’s train at Watertown in preparation for their return trip to Nashville.

According to their website: EMD E8 6902 was built as New York Central 4084 in 1953. This unit would’ve been at the head end of many name trains of the Central’s Great Steel Fleet; including the 20th Century Limited, the Empire State Express, and the Ohio State Limited, among others. The E8 (termed DPA-5e by NYC) would serve in passenger service through the Penn Central merger, and commuter service for New Jersey Transit, before settling down at the New Georgia Railroad in 1992. When the latter operation folded, a museum member purchased this unit for use on the Broadway Dinner Train, which prompted the silver and maroon colors worn today.

Since 1989, TCRM has been running passenger excursions from Nashville to points east such as Lebanon, Watertown, Baxter, Cookeville, and Monterey, Tennessee.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CST P001 heading over the Ohio River Bridge at Henderson, KY

The nice evening light on the Henderson Subdivision bathes the scene as the CSX President’s Passenger train P001 starts its run across the Ohio River Bridge at Henderson, KY. CSX GEVO units 3310, 3271 leads with CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000 ft long. CSX had problems with PTC on CSXT 1 & 2 and that’s why they GEVOS led the train on June 10th, 2021.

CSX has repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on this business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio's blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395). The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CST P001 heading over the Ohio River Bridge at Henderson, KY

The nice evening light on the Henderson Subdivision bathes the scene as the CSX President’s Passenger train P001 starts its run across the Ohio River Bridge at Henderson, KY. CSX GEVO units 3310, 3271 leads with CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000 ft long. CSX had problems with PTC on CSXT 1 & 2 and that’s why they GEVOS led the train on June 10th, 2021.

CSX has repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on this business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio’s blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395). The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CSX J801-06 loads at Warrior Coal Mine Loop, Nebo, Kentucky

CSXT 3322 and 322 lead as CSX J801-06 creeps along as it starts to load at the Warrior Coal mine loop, just outside of Nebo, Kentucky on June 7th, 2021 under stormy skies. This train comes out of CSX Atkinson Yard in Madisonville, Ky where it will return to after loading and be combined with another loaded coal train of similar length before heading south on the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

CSX J801-06 loads at Warrior Coal Mine Loop, Nebo, Kentucky

CSXT 3322 and 322 lead as CSX J801-06 creeps along as it starts to load at the Warrior Coal mine loop, just outside of Nebo, Kentucky on June 7th, 2021 under stormy skies. This train comes out of CSX Atkinson Yard in Madisonville, Ky where it will return to after loading and be combined with another loaded coal train of similar length before heading south on the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

CN U72481-05 shadow move at West Paducah, KY

Canadian National U72481-05 heads southbound over the Ohio River bridge between Metropolis, IL and West Paducah, KY carrying a load of Iron ore from Keenan, MN to Convent, LA on the CN Bluford Subdivision as it and the bridge cast long and deep shadows on the waters below on May 7th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: The Mesabi Iron Range is a mining district in northeastern Minnesota following an elongate trend containing large deposits of iron ore. It is the largest of four major iron ranges in the region collectively known as the Iron Range of Minnesota. First described in 1866, it is the chief iron ore mining district in the United States. The district is located largely in Itasca and Saint Louis counties. It has been extensively worked since 1892 and has seen a transition from high-grade direct shipping ores through gravity concentrates to the current industry exclusively producing iron ore (taconite) pellets.

There are three iron ranges in northern Minnesota, the Cuyuna, the Vermilion, and the Mesabi. Most of the world's iron ore, including that contained in northern Minnesota, was formed during the middle Precambrian period.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CN U72481-05 shadow move at West Paducah, KY

Canadian National U72481-05 heads southbound over the Ohio River bridge between Metropolis, IL and West Paducah, KY carrying a load of Iron ore from Keenan, MN to Convent, LA on the CN Bluford Subdivision as it and the bridge cast long and deep shadows on the waters below on May 7th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: The Mesabi Iron Range is a mining district in northeastern Minnesota following an elongate trend containing large deposits of iron ore. It is the largest of four major iron ranges in the region collectively known as the Iron Range of Minnesota. First described in 1866, it is the chief iron ore mining district in the United States. The district is located largely in Itasca and Saint Louis counties. It has been extensively worked since 1892 and has seen a transition from high-grade direct shipping ores through gravity concentrates to the current industry exclusively producing iron ore (taconite) pellets.

There are three iron ranges in northern Minnesota, the Cuyuna, the Vermilion, and the Mesabi. Most of the world’s iron ore, including that contained in northern Minnesota, was formed during the middle Precambrian period.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern meet at Winslow, Indiana

Norfolk Southern 77J, a loaded Duke Energy coal train pulls west from the Charger mine at the HBD-DED Ayrshire just outside Winslow, Indiana as NS 224, a daily Louisville to St. Louis train, waits on the NS Southern East-West District main for it to clear Hatfield Junction on May 1st, 2021.

The lash-up on 224 is Norfolk Southern NS 4096 GE AC44C6M DC to AC Rebuilt (C40-9), NS 1844 EMD SD70ACU DC to AC Rebuilt (SD70), and NS 1068 EMD SD70ACe Erie Heritage Unit and runs daily from Louisville to St. Louis. 

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern meet at Winslow, IN

A loaded Norfolk Southern Duke Energy coal train pulls west from the Charger mine at the HBD-DED Ayrshire just outside Winslow, Indiana as NS 224, a daily Louisville to St. Louis train, waits on the NS Southern East-West District main for it to clear Hatfield Junction on May 1st, 2021.

The lash-up on 224 is Norfolk Southern NS 4096 GE AC44C6M DC to AC Rebuilt (C40-9), NS 1844 EMD SD70ACU DC to AC Rebuilt (SD70), and NS 1068 EMD SD70ACe Erie Heritage Unit and runs daily from Louisville to St. Louis.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.

CSX President's Special P001 southbound at Sullivan, IN

CSX President's Passenger train P001 heads south as it passes under the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad coaling towers at Sullivan, IN, on the CE&D Subdivision, with CSX GEVO units 3310, 3271 leading and CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000ft long southbound on June 10th, 2021. They were leading due to issues with the DPU on the F units, which have since been fixed.

CSX repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on its business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio's blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395. The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CSX President’s Special P001 southbound at Sullivan, IN

CSX President’s Passenger train P001 heads south as it passes under the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad coaling towers at Sullivan, IN, on the CE&D Subdivision, with CSX GEVO units 3310, 3271 leading and CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000ft long southbound on June 10th, 2021. They were leading due to issues with the DPU on the F units, which have since been fixed.

CSX repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on its business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio’s blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395. The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CN FUPD local heads into the PAL yard at Paducah, Ky

The daily Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local, led by CN 8887 and 5485 rounds the curve leading into the north end of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard at Paducah, KY under stormy skies on June 29th, 2021, to do its interchange work.

Many people put their cameras away when the clouds roll in and skies get dark, but for me that’s just when things get interesting! I love how they add drama to the scene and don’t forget, trains operate 24/7 in all kinds of weather! Just because it isn’t sunny and the lights not on the right side of the train, doesn’t mean there isn’t great photos to be had! Personally, I keep a large golf umbrella in the back of my SUV just for bad weather days! Get out there!!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CN FUPD local heads into the PAL yard at Paducah, KY

The daily Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local, led by CN 8887 and 5485 rounds the curve leading into the north end of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard at Paducah, KY under stormy skies on June 29th, 2021, to do its interchange work.

Many people put their cameras away when the clouds roll in and skies get dark, but for me that’s just when things get interesting! I love how they add drama to the scene and don’t forget, trains operate 24/7 in all kinds of weather! Just because it isn’t sunny and the lights not on the right side of the train, doesn’t mean there isn’t great photos to be had! Personally, I keep a large golf umbrella in the back of my SUV just for bad weather days! Get out there!!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 NB on BNSF local from Paducah, Ky

Newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) 6401 trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it passes over the CN flyover at the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard in Paducah, Ky on June 30th, 2021, with PRLX switcher 1308 trailing behind it. 

Locomotive 6401 is 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 from what I understand. The other two units in the consist were BN 1706 leading (more photos to come on this unit) and HLCX 3889.

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.

Tech Info for each image is in that images caption: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 110.

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 NB on BNSF local from Paducah, Ky

Newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) 6401 trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it passes over the CN flyover at the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard in Paducah, Ky on June 30th, 2021, with PRLX switcher 1308 trailing behind it.

Locomotive 6401 is 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 from what I understand. The other two units in the consist were BN 1706 leading (more photos to come on this unit) and HLCX 3889.

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.

Tech Info for each image is in that images caption: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 110.

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 at Paducah & Louisville Railway, Paducah, Ky

Todays post is a bit different for me as I normally post only one picture a day, but today I'm submitting 12 images for your enjoyment of the newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) tied down in the north end of the yard at the Paducah and Louisville Railway in Paducah, Ky with PRLX switcher 1308. Give me your thoughts on which image you like the best and why. Click on each thumbnail to view the full picture.

I considered posting these as just one a day but felt that folks would enjoy seeing the different views of this locomotive that was refurbished at the Progress Rail shops in Mayfield, Ky all at once. Locomotive 6401 is 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 from what I understand.

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.

Together with its sister company Eastern Maine Railway (reporting mark EMRY), NBSR and EMRY form a continuous 189.5 mi (305.0 km) main line connecting Saint John, New Brunswick Canada, with Brownville Junction, Maine. NBSR also operates an additional 41.7 mi (67.1 km) of branch lines in New Brunswick.

NBSR was established as a corporate entity in November 1994 by J.D. Irving Ltd. to purchase 131.7 miles of physical railway assets of the Canadian Pacific Railway within the province of New Brunswick; these being the 84.4 mile McAdam Subdivision, the 5.6 mile section of the Mattawamkeag Subdivision within Canada, as well as the West Saint John Spur, Milltown Spur, and the St. Stephen Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 110

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 at Paducah & Louisville Railway, Paducah, Ky

Todays post is a bit different for me as I normally post only one picture a day, but today I’m submitting 12 images for your enjoyment of the newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) tied down in the north end of the yard at the Paducah and Louisville Railway in Paducah, Ky with PRLX switcher 1308. Give me your thoughts on which image you like the best and why. Click on each thumbnail to view the full picture.

I considered posting these as just one a day but felt that folks would enjoy seeing the different views of this locomotive that was refurbished at the Progress Rail shops in Mayfield, Ky all at once. Locomotive 6401 is 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 that are ex-Norfolk Southern. Below is the list from what I’ve found.

• NBSR 6401 – ex-NS 2659

• NBSR 6402 – ex-NS 2779 (NS 2650)

• NBSR 6403 – ex-NS 2777

• NBSR 6404 – ex-NS 2666

• NBSR 6405 – ex-NS 2674

• NBSR 6406 – ex-NS 2715

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.

Together with its sister company Eastern Maine Railway (reporting mark EMRY), NBSR and EMRY form a continuous 189.5 mi (305.0 km) main line connecting Saint John, New Brunswick Canada, with Brownville Junction, Maine. NBSR also operates an additional 41.7 mi (67.1 km) of branch lines in New Brunswick.

NBSR was established as a corporate entity in November 1994 by J.D. Irving Ltd. to purchase 131.7 miles of physical railway assets of the Canadian Pacific Railway within the province of New Brunswick; these being the 84.4 mile McAdam Subdivision, the 5.6 mile section of the Mattawamkeag Subdivision within Canada, as well as the West Saint John Spur, Milltown Spur, and the St. Stephen Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 110

CSX K442-19 and Q513 pass each other at Nortonville, Kentucky

I love the play of shadows and the lines in this shot of CSX K442-19 and Q513 as they pass each other at Nortonville, Kentucky. CSX K442 was running with a rainbow of power consisting of Canadian Pacific 8519, 9359, Kansas City Southern 4699 and Ferromex 4054 on April 20th, 2021, along the Henderson Subdivision and prompted me to give chase.

K442 was a combined empty ethanol train, heading back north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision with a length of 12,500 feet and with that length, there were only a few places along the line between Nashville, TN, and Evansville, IN where they could meet other trains, and the two-track main between Romney and Oak Hill is one of them.

I had been following the progress of this train for a couple days and thanks to a heads up from fellow railfan Reed Reding about it being north of Nashville and then another railfan, Steve Miller that it was passing through Hopkinsville, Ky I decided it was time to get dressed (about 7:30am) and head south to find this interesting move! About 20 miles later I found it waiting in the siding at Kelly in plenty of time to catch it and then chase it back to Madisonville, catching it a few more times!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CSX K442-19 and Q513 pass each other at Nortonville, Kentucky

I love the play of shadows and the lines in this shot of CSX K442-19 and Q513 as they pass each other at Nortonville, Kentucky. CSX K442 was running with a rainbow of power consisting of Canadian Pacific 8519, 9359, Kansas City Southern 4699 and Ferromex 4054 on April 20th, 2021, along the Henderson Subdivision and prompted me to give chase.

K442 was a combined empty ethanol train, heading back north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision with a length of 12,500 feet and with that length, there were only a few places along the line between Nashville, TN, and Evansville, IN where they could meet other trains, and the two-track main between Romney and Oak Hill is one of them.

I had been following the progress of this train for a couple days and thanks to a heads up from fellow railfan Reed Reding about it being north of Nashville and then another railfan, Steve Miller that it was passing through Hopkinsville, Ky I decided it was time to get dressed (about 7:30am) and head south to find this interesting move! About 20 miles later I found it waiting in the siding at Kelly in plenty of time to catch it and then chase it back to Madisonville, catching it a few more times!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CSX K443 southbound at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision

BNSF 5202 and KCS 4677 lead CSX K443, a loaded ethanol train, southbound past the north end of Kelly Siding on the Henderson Subdivision at Kelly, Ky on April 22nd, 2021.

I tried catching this train at the south end of Slaughters, Hanson and at Nortonville, but ended up arriving at each of my spots as the train was passing through them! It seemed like every traffic light was red and every car that drove 10mph under the speed limit was between me and my next spot!! It happens sometimes and while I didn’t get the shots I wanted at each of those locations, I did at several others such as this one at Kelly! Sometimes you must be persistent in your pursuit of photos! 

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

CSX K443 southbound at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision

BNSF 5202 and KCS 4677 lead CSX K443, a loaded ethanol train, southbound past the north end of Kelly Siding on the Henderson Subdivision at Kelly, Ky on April 22nd, 2021.

I tried catching this train at the south end of Slaughters, Hanson and at Nortonville, but ended up arriving at each of my spots as the train was passing through them! It seemed like every traffic light was red and every car that drove 10mph under the speed limit was between me and my next spot!! It happens sometimes and while I didn’t get the shots I wanted at each of those locations, I did at several others such as this one at Kelly! Sometimes you must be persistent in your pursuit of photos!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

Northbound CSX 648 with Metra #97 passing L&N Depot at Madisonville, Ky

The late afternoon sunlight rakes across the scene as newly refurbished Metra passenger engine #97 trails behind CSXT 749 and 345 on CSX Q648 passes the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad Depot in downtown Madisonville, as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on June 14th, 2021.

This depot was originally dedicated in 1929 and last saw passenger service about 1968 when L&N built an office at Atkinson Yard in Madisonville and the passenger train service was moved to that location. Currently the station is owned by the city of Madisonville and houses one of the hubs of the Kentucky Innovation Stations, which helps courageous entrepreneurs, creative business founders, high-growth startups, and savvy investors star in their own success stories. 

According to Wikipedia: Metra (reporting mark METX) is a commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area serving the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs via the Union Pacific and BNSF Railways. The system operates 242 stations on 11 rail lines. It is the fourth busiest commuter rail system in the United States by ridership and the largest and busiest commuter rail system outside the New York City metropolitan area.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

Northbound CSX 648 with Metra #97 passing L&N Depot at Madisonville, Ky

The late afternoon sunlight rakes across the scene as newly refurbished Metra passenger engine #97 trails behind CSXT 749 and 345 on CSX Q648 passes the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad Depot in downtown Madisonville, as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on June 14th, 2021.

This depot was originally dedicated in 1929 and last saw passenger service about 1968 when L&N built an office at Atkinson Yard in Madisonville and the passenger train service was moved to that location. Currently the station is owned by the city of Madisonville and houses one of the hubs of the Kentucky Innovation Stations, which helps courageous entrepreneurs, creative business founders, high-growth startups, and savvy investors star in their own success stories.

According to Wikipedia: Metra (reporting mark METX) is a commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area serving the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs via the Union Pacific and BNSF Railways. The system operates 242 stations on 11 rail lines. It is the fourth busiest commuter rail system in the United States by ridership and the largest and busiest commuter rail system outside the New York City metropolitan area.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

CST P001 heading south on the Henderson Subdivision from Evansville, IN

CSX President's Passenger train P001 heads south up the viaduct as they approach the bridge over the Ohio River to Henderson, Ky from Evansville, IN, with CSX GEVO units 3310, 3271 leading and CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000 ft long. I heard they had problems with PTC on CSXT 1 & 2 and that's why they GEVOS led the train on June 10th, 2021.

CSX has repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on this business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio's blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395). The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CSX P001 heading south on the Henderson Subdivision from Evansville, IN

CSX President’s Passenger train P001 heads south up the viaduct as they approach the bridge over the Ohio River to Henderson, Ky from Evansville, IN, with CSX GEVO units 3310, 3271 leading and CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000 ft long. I heard they had problems with PTC on CSXT 1 & 2 and that’s why they GEVOS led the train on June 10th, 2021.

CSX has repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on this business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio’s blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395). The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CSX President’s Special P001 southbound at Nortonville, Ky

CSX Presidents Passenger train P001 heads south as it passes through the S curve at Nortonville, Ky on the Henderson Subdivision, with CSX Gevo units 3310, 3271 leading and CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000ft long. 

From what I'm told they had problems with PTC on CSXT 1 & 2 and that's why they had to put the Gevos on the front during their run back south on June 10th, 2021.

CSX repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on its business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio's blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395) but can't really confirm it for sure. The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 100.

CSX President’s Special P001 southbound at Nortonville, Ky

CSX President’s Passenger train P001 heads south as it passes through the S curve at Nortonville, Ky on the Henderson Subdivision, with CSX Gevo units 3310, 3271 leading and CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000ft long.

From what I’m told they had problems with PTC on CSXT 1 & 2 and that’s why they had to put the Gevos on the front during their run back south on June 10th, 2021.

CSX repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on its business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio’s blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395) but can’t really confirm it for sure. The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 100.

Northbound CSX 648 with Metra #97 trailing at Mortons Gap, Ky

The late afternoon sunlight rakes across the landscape a newly refurbished Metra passenger engine #97 trails behind CSXT 749 and 345 on CSX Q648 as it heads north through Mortons Junction on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Mortons Gap, Ky on June 14th, 2021.

One of the many things I enjoy about railfanning the Henderson Subdivision is all interesting and unusual moves we get through here, such as this Metra unit. The subdivision currently sees about 20-30 trains a day, with foreign power mixed in, such as CP, CN, rebuilds, BNSF, KCS and from time to time even NS.

According to Wikipedia: Metra (reporting mark METX) is a commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area serving the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs via the Union Pacific and BNSF Railways. The system operates 242 stations on 11 rail lines. It is the fourth busiest commuter rail system in the United States by ridership and the largest and busiest commuter rail system outside the New York City metropolitan area.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

Northbound CSX 648 with Metra #97 trailing at Mortons Gap, Ky

The late afternoon sunlight rakes across the landscape a newly refurbished Metra passenger engine #97 trails behind CSXT 749 and 345 on CSX Q648 as it heads north through Mortons Junction on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Mortons Gap, Ky on June 14th, 2021.

One of the many things I enjoy about railfanning the Henderson Subdivision is all interesting and unusual moves we get through here, such as this Metra unit. The subdivision currently sees about 20-30 trains a day, with foreign power mixed in, such as CP, CN, rebuilds, BNSF, KCS and from time to time even NS.

According to Wikipedia: Metra (reporting mark METX) is a commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area serving the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs via the Union Pacific and BNSF Railways. The system operates 242 stations on 11 rail lines. It is the fourth busiest commuter rail system in the United States by ridership and the largest and busiest commuter rail system outside the New York City metropolitan area.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

CSXT 3194 Spirit of our Law Enforcement unit eastbound at Trace Creek, Waverly, Tennessee

CSXT 3194 (Spirit of our Law Enforcement) crosses over Trace Creek as it makes its way through the hills of Tennessee, at Waverly, TN, as it led Q125-05 (Memphis, TN - East Savannah, GA) east on the CSX Bruceton Subdivision. 

From CSX Press Releases - CSX Transportation's "Spirit of our Law Enforcement" commemorative locomotive CSXT 3194 is being renamed to honor our nation's police officers who dedicate their lives to serve and protect communities across our network.

CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans "To Protect and Serve" and "Honoring Our Law Enforcement." It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

CSXT 3194 Spirit of our Law Enforcement unit eastbound at Trace Creek, Waverly, Tennessee

CSXT 3194 (Spirit of our Law Enforcement) crosses over Trace Creek as it makes its way through the hills of Tennessee, at Waverly, TN, as it led Q125-05 (Memphis, TN – East Savannah, GA) east on the CSX Bruceton Subdivision.

From CSX Press Releases – CSX Transportation’s “Spirit of our Law Enforcement” commemorative locomotive CSXT 3194 is being renamed to honor our nation’s police officers who dedicate their lives to serve and protect communities across our network.

CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

Tennessee Moonshine Sippin' Excursion Train

Today was my first time chasing the Tennessee Moonshine Sippin' Excursion Train train from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum (TCRX), which operates out of Nashville, TN on June 12th, 2021. While it was a hot and muggy day, myself and fellow railfan Ryan Scott, of Steelrails, had a great time chasing this train from Nashville to Watertown, TN and back, along the Nashville, and Eastern Railway line. Once restoration is complete Nashville Steam's Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway steam locomotive No. 576 will lead trains along this same route!

Here Louisville and Nashville #405 (GP7 405) lead the Tennessee Moonshine Sippin' Excursion Train through the curve at Cherry Valley, TN as they approach their turn-around point of Watertown, TN on the Nashville & Eastern railway with, L&N F7B 715 & 719, plus TCRX E8A 6902 trailing.

According to their website: The Tennessee Central Railway Museum is a volunteer, non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve, restore, interpret, and operate historic railroad equipment to educate our guests about America's railroads.

We have a growing collection of historic equipment, but TCRM is much more than a static museum. Our specialty is operating historic trains, providing a unique opportunity to rediscover vintage rail travel through beautiful Middle Tennessee.

Since 1989, TCRM has been running passenger excursions from Nashville to points east such as Lebanon, Watertown, Baxter, Cookeville, and Monterey, Tennessee. 

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography 

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train

Today was my first time chasing the Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train train from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum (TCRX), which operates out of Nashville, TN on June 12th, 2021. While it was a hot and muggy day, myself and fellow railfan Ryan Scott, of Steelrails, had a great time chasing this train from Nashville to Watertown, TN and back, along the Nashville, and Eastern Railway line. Once restoration is complete Nashville Steam’s Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway steam locomotive No. 576 will lead trains along this same route!

Here Louisville and Nashville #405 (GP7 405) lead the Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train through the curve at Cherry Valley, TN as they approach their turn-around point of Watertown, TN on the Nashville & Eastern railway with, L&N” F7B 715 & 719, plus TCRX E8A 6902 trailing.

According to their website: The Tennessee Central Railway Museum is a volunteer, non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve, restore, interpret, and operate historic railroad equipment to educate our guests about America’s railroads.

We have a growing collection of historic equipment, but TCRM is much more than a static museum. Our specialty is operating historic trains, providing a unique opportunity to rediscover vintage rail travel through beautiful Middle Tennessee.

Since 1989, TCRM has been running passenger excursions from Nashville to points east such as Lebanon, Watertown, Baxter, Cookeville, and Monterey, Tennessee.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CSX J801-06 travels the Warrior Coal Mine Loop, Nebo, Kentucky


CSXT 3322 and 322 lead as CSX J801-06 creeps along as it begins loading at the Warrior Coal mine loop, just outside of Nebo, Kentucky on June 7th, 2021 under stormy skies. This train comes out of CSX Atkinson Yard in Madisonville, Ky where it will return to after loading and be combined with another loaded coal train of similar length before heading south on the Henderson Subdivision.


Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

CSX J801-06 travels the Warrior Coal Mine Loop, Nebo, Kentucky

CSXT 3322 and 322 lead as CSX J801-06 creeps along as it begins loading at the Warrior Coal mine loop, just outside of Nebo, Kentucky on June 7th, 2021 under stormy skies. This train comes out of CSX Atkinson Yard in Madisonville, Ky where it will return to after loading and be combined with another loaded coal train of similar length before heading south on the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

CSX President’s Special southbound on the Henderson Subdivision

CSX President’s Passenger train P001 heads south up the viaduct approaching the bridge over the Ohio River at Henderson, Ky from Evansville, IN, with CSX Gevo units 3310, 3271 leading and CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000 ft long. Not sure, but I heard they had problems with PTC on CSXT 1 & 2 and that’s why they had to put the Gevos on the front on June 10th, 2021.

CSX has repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on its business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio's blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395) but can’t really confirm it for sure. The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CSX President’s Special southbound on the Henderson Subdivision

CSX President’s Passenger train P001 heads south up the viaduct approaching the bridge over the Ohio River at Henderson, Ky from Evansville, IN, with CSX Gevo units 3310, 3271 leading and CSXT 1 & 2 trailing as they pull 11 cars at a little over 1,000 ft long. Not sure, but I heard they had problems with PTC on CSXT 1 & 2 and that’s why they had to put the Gevos on the front on June 10th, 2021.

CSX has repainted two of its F40PH locomotives, to be used on its business train, into predecessor Baltimore & Ohio’s blue, gray, and black paint scheme. CSX1 is former 9998 (former Amtrak 288) and from what I can find out CSXT 2 is the former F40PH 9993 (former Amtrak 395) but can’t really confirm it for sure. The other F40s are expected to be painted in the same scheme in the coming months as they are cycled through the shops.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.