Indiana Railroads – Page 14 – Jim Pearson Photography

SavaTrans (SVTX) 1982 and Evansville Western Railway 4519 wait…

October 3, 2020 – SavaTrans (SVTX) 1982 and Evansville Western Railway 4519 wait for a fresh crew as they head up an empty coal train after unloading at the Dock at West Franklin, Indiana. The Chris Cline Group are owners of the company “Savatrans” which purchased three ES44AC locomotives numbered to represent the Penn State Championship football years # 1912, 1982, & 1986. The company operates from Sugar Camp Mine in Akin, IL to Abee, IN near Mount Vernon/West Franklin, IN area.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern Conrail Heritage Unit at Francisco, IN

October 3, 2020 – Norfolk Southern Conrail Heritage Unit (8098) sits idling on the Francisco Mine lead at Francisco, Indiana, as it waits for a new crew to take the loaded coal train from the mine westbound on the NS Southern East/West District to Duke Energy’s Gibson Plant near Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

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

NS 167 and 168 meet at Princeton, IN

October 3, 2020 – Seems like myself and several other railfans waited forever for NS 167 to finish its work at Princeton, Indiana and finally begin to move east and to our delight its counterpart 168 westbound showed up just in time for me to capture this meet with my drones camera. It wasn’t planned, as we weren’t sure how long before 168 would arrive, but I’ll take it!

In the past I could never get this shot as it’s way too far from either crossing that’s close to this point. I am totally loving the new look the camera on the drone gives me these days and the spots it allows me to shoot from! As I tell my fellow railfans, we can railfan anywhere as everywhere is new for me!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 100.

CSX Q683 heads over the Patoka River at Patoka, Indiana

September 12, 2020 – CSX Q683 heads over the Patoka River at Patoka, Indiana as it heads south on the CSX CE&D Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 100.

Evansville Western Railway 6001 and 6002…

October 3, 2020 – Evansville Western Railway 6001 and 6002 lead a local freight past the siding at Abee, Indiana as they approach the Wildeman Road Crossing on their way back to Mount Vernon, IN after doing interchange work with CSX at Howell Yard in Evansville, IN.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

NS Pennsylvania Heritage unit 8102 at Princeton, IN

September 13, 2020 – I got word from a fellow railfan out of Louisville, Austin Bell, that Norfolk Southern 168 was headed west from Louisville, Kentucky with NS Pennsylvania Heritage unit 8102 leading on the NS Southern East District. He knew it was one of three that I still needed to fill my collection of the 20 Heritage Paint Units that NS has put out. (Now I need NS 1065 and NS 1700)

I typically don’t railfan Sundays as I do church and edit the videos from the live stream in the afternoon and update our web locations with the same. However, I answered the call this afternoon and made the 1.5 hour drive to Princeton, Indiana to capture this shot of the train as it heads west through the yard at Princeton with my drone!

I actually caught it starting at west end of Ashire, Indiana and chased it to Princeton and was able to catch it at several spots along the route with my D800 and the drone, but in this case the drone won out because of the new angle it gives me!

I also met up with a lot of railfan friends that were trackside for the same train and got to finally meet Railfan Julian (6 year old railfan that loves trains) and his mom!

If you want to encourage young railfans I invite you to give his page a like here on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/railfan.julian.5

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/100, ISO 100.

Engine 465 leads a afternoon passenger train…

August 1, 2020 – Engine 465 leads a afternoon passenger train as it approaches the switch at milepost 74 as it heads for the Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway through one of many tunnels of trees.

According to their website: The Indiana Railway Museum is a tourist railway located in French Lick, Indiana. The Museum was founded in 1961 in the town of Westport, Indiana where the railroad operated a tourist excursion, utilizing one small locomotive, three passenger cars, and about twenty volunteers. Ridership was estimated at about 500 passengers in 1962. The museum and railway remained in Westport until a move was necessitated in 1971. The organization relocated to Greensburg, Indiana where it operated until 1976 when it again, it changed locations. The Museum was relocated to French Lick in 1978 after an agreement with the Southern Railway Company. They deeded the Museum a total of sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden, Indiana, approximately one mile north of French Lick, to a small village named Dubois, to the south.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway operating passenger trains over twenty-five miles of this track from French Lick to Jasper.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 550mm, f/6.3, 1/500, ISO 450.

NS 124-31 meets NS 376-01 at Taswell, Indiana

Norfolk Southern 4194 glides downhill as it leads NS 124-31 westbound, with an all Autorack train, as it meets NS 376-01 led by NS 9626, a eastbound mix freight train, across the street from the Taswell Community Church at Taswell, Indiana on the NS Southern-East District.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 195mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO 1400.

WEB-07.21.20 CSX K815-19 SB with CP 7021 arrives Howell Yard, Evansville, IN

CSX K815-19, with CP 7021 arrives at Evansville, IN

July 21, 2020 – CSX K815-19, with CP 7021, pulls under the signal bridge at the north end of Howell Yard in Evansville, Indiana, as it arrives with a loaded phosphate train.

Canadian Pacific unveiled 5 of these specially painted locomotives in November of 2019 on Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the U.S. honoring the culture and history of the armed forces. The five Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACUs will take the message of military pride across the CP system.

CP 7021 wears the sand colour that the Canadian and U.S. armies apply to fighting vehicles and equipment serving in arid climates.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/4.5, 1/500, ISO 2500.

It’s a hot and steamy summer night…

August 1, 2020 – It’s a hot and steamy summer night as the headlights of CSX Q513 illuminates the tracks at the south end of Howell Yard in Evansville, Indiana as it makes a pickup before continues its way south along the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikkor 70-300 @112mm, f/4.8, 1/30, ISO 3,200.

Norfolk Southern 9573 leads a autorack train…

July 17, 2020 – Norfolk Southern 9573 leads a autorack train east as it passes through the cut at Tunnel Hill road overpass, just west of Ramsey, Indiana, on the NS Southern-East District. This cut was constructed to bypass the original tunnel through this area, which I’m told it can still be seen via Google Earth Maps.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/6.3, 1/800, ISO 1100.

Indiana Railroads 9007 leads (SAHW) at Linton, IN

August 4, 2020 – Indiana Railroads 9007 leads (SAHW) the Indianapolis to Jasonville, Indiana evening train as it passes over the diamond at Linton, Indiana as it heads south into the setting sun on the Indianapolis Subdivision as it crosses over the INRD Chicago Subdivision.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 350mm, f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 220.

French Lick Scenic Railway Engine 465 at French Lick, Indiana

August 1, 2020 – French Lick Scenic Railway Engine 465 (GP-9) a EMD GP9 ex SP, with a Northern Pacific-inspired two tone green paint scheme, leads the afternoon passenger train as it passes the old Twin City Lumber Company at French Lick, Indiana on the old Southern Line.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway passenger trains over twenty-five miles of track between French Lick and Jasper, Indiana on the old Monon and Southern tracks.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 110.

Indiana Railroad PAUT1-04 rolls past the Marathon Refinery

August 4, 2020 – Indiana Railroad PAUT1-04 rolls past the Marathon Refinery on the Indianapolis Subdivision at Robinson, Illinois as it heads back to the yard at Palestine, IL after finishing its morning work in the Robinson area.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, Sigma 150-600 @ 185mm, f/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200.

Engine 465 (GP-9) leads the afternoon passenger train…

August 1, 2020 – Engine 465 (GP-9) leads the afternoon passenger train as it passes through the Indiana countryside on its way to Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway passenger trains over twenty-five miles of track between French Lick and Jasper, Indiana on the old Monon and Southern tracks.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11, 1/500, ISO 280.

French Lick Scenic Railway

August 1, 2020 – Engine 465 leads the afternoon passenger train as it approaches the Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway under stormy skies. Despite the COVID19 restrictions the train had a good number of passengers on the train, all wearing masks and separated according the CDC guidelines.

According to their website: The Indiana Railway Museum is a tourist railway located in French Lick, Indiana. The Museum was founded in 1961 in the town of Westport, Indiana where the railroad operated a tourist excursion, utilizing one small locomotive, three passenger cars, and about twenty volunteers. Ridership was estimated at about 500 passengers in 1962. The museum and railway remained in Westport until a move was necessitated in 1971. The organization relocated to Greensburg, Indiana where it operated until 1976 when it again, it changed locations. The Museum was relocated to French Lick in 1978 after an agreement with the Southern Railway Company. They deeded the Museum a total of sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden, Indiana, approximately one mile north of French Lick, to a small village named Dubois, to the south.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway operating passenger trains over twenty-five miles of this track from French Lick to Jasper.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11, 1/500, ISO 220.

The conductor on CSX Q513 shines a light on the track ahead from the nose of New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPD) 2005 as it and 2004 are backed into Howell Yard in Evansville, Indiana to perform a pickup before continuing its trip on south along the Henderson Subdivision on a wet and cool summer night.

According to a press release from The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), it is in the process of upgrading its locomotive fleet with eight new locomotives to replace aging engines, improve efficiency, and lower overall emissions. Recognizable by their bright blue color, the new locomotives will provide reliable service and support the short-line railroads commitment to integrating more sustainable business and operational practices.

The new EPA-classified Tier One locomotives will allow NOPB to reduce its fleet size by 46 percent, from 15 locomotives to eight. Fuel consumption will be reduced by 25 percent, and emission reductions include a 40 percent reduction in nitrous oxide (NOx), which pollutes the ozone layer and creates smog, along with a 50 percent reduction in particulate emissions.

In addition to fuel and emissions savings, the new leasing structure allows NOPB to achieve significant operational and capital savings.

These are two of their new locomotives that are dead-in-tow on Q513 heading south to their new home.

According to Wikipedia: The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (reporting mark NOPB) is a Class III railroad, and a subsidiary of the Port of New Orleans. It connects with six Class I railroads serving the city, and provides switching and haulage service. It is estimated that one-third of the United States' east-west rail freight crosses the Mississippi on the Huey P. Long Bridge segment of the railroad.

The impetus for the NOPB came at the start of the 20th century era when multiple railroads terminating locally created both congestion at the Port of New Orleans and safety problems on city streets. The railroad began operation in 1908 with the intention of giving the major railroads "uniform and impartial" access to the port.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikkor 50mm, f/1.4, 1/30, ISO 3,600.

New Orleans Public Belt Railroad 2005 and 2004 at Evansville, IN

August 1, 2020 – The conductor on CSX Q513 shines a light on the track ahead from the nose of New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPD) 2005 as it and 2004 are backed into Howell Yard in Evansville, Indiana to perform a pickup before continuing its trip on south along the Henderson Subdivision on a wet and cool summer night.

According to a press release from – The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), it is in the process of upgrading its locomotive fleet with eight new locomotives to replace aging engines, improve efficiency, and lower overall emissions. Recognizable by their bright blue color, the new locomotives will provide reliable service and support the short-line railroad’s commitment to integrating more sustainable business and operational practices.

The new EPA-classified Tier One locomotives will allow NOPB to reduce its fleet size by 46 percent, from 15 locomotives to eight. Fuel consumption will be reduced by 25 percent, and emission reductions include a 40 percent reduction in nitrous oxide (NOx), which pollutes the ozone layer and creates smog, along with a 50 percent reduction in particulate emissions.

In addition to fuel and emissions savings, the new leasing structure allows NOPB to achieve significant operational and capital savings.

These are two of their new locomotives that are dead-in-tow on Q513 heading south to their new home.

According to Wikipedia: The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (reporting mark NOPB) is a Class III railroad, and a subsidiary of the Port of New Orleans. It connects with six Class I railroads serving the city, and provides switching and haulage service. It is estimated that one-third of the United States’ east-west rail freight crosses the Mississippi on the Huey P. Long Bridge segment of the railroad.

The impetus for the NOPB came at the start of the 20th century era when multiple railroads terminating locally created both congestion at the Port of New Orleans and safety problems on city streets. The railroad began operation in 1908 with the intention of giving the major railroads “uniform and impartial” access to the port.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikkor 50mm, f/1.4, 1/30, ISO 3,600.

CSX K815-19 with CP 7021 at Howell Yard, Evansville, IN

July 21, 2020 – CSX K815-19 with CP 7021 has it stopped at Howell Yard in Evansville, Indiana with a potash train, where it dropped off all its cars, changed crews and picked up a load of mixed freight before continuing it’s run south on the Henderson Subdivision. This was my first catch of one of these units!

Canadian Pacific unveiled 5 of these specially painted locomotives in November of 2019 on Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the U.S. honoring the culture and history of the armed forces. The five Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACUs will take the message of military pride across the CP system.

CP 7020 wears North Atlantic Treaty Organization green, which the Canadian and U.S. armies apply to fighting vehicles and equipment serving in temperate climates.

CP 7021 wears the sand colour that the Canadian and U.S. armies apply to fighting vehicles and equipment serving in arid climates.

CP 7022 wears the grey, red and black colour pattern of modern Canadian and American warships.

CP 7023 wears a two-tone gray paint scheme designed after the livery applied to Canadian and American fighter jets.

CP 6644 wears the camouflage colours applied to Royal Canadian Air Force “Spitfire” fighter planes flown at the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 350mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 400.

Northbound INRD 9001 at Switz City, Indiana

July 21, 2020 – Indiana Railroad (INRD) 9001 leads northbound daily train from Jasonville to Indianapolis, Indiana train (HWSA), with engineer Travis Collins at the controls as it approaches the county road 800, south of Switz City, Indiana. He will meet his southbound counterpart (SAHW) at the north end of the siding in Switz City, where they will trade trains and continue to their respective destinations on the INRD Indianapolis Subdivision.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, Sigma 150-600 @ 480mm, f/6, 1/1250, ISO 560.

Stormy weather over the CSX CE&D Subdivision at Princeton, IN

July 21, 2020 – A storm moves to the northeast across southern Indiana as signals on the CSX CE&D Subdivision glow at “middle King” siding at Princeton, Indiana after a southbound had just passed through.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11, 30 seconds, ISO 2000.

Indiana Railroad Palestine Utility train 1 at Palestine, IL

July 21, 2020 – Indiana Railroad (INRD) 301 and 3001 power the Palestine Utility train 1 (PAUT-1), as it passes through granaries at Palestine, Illinois, on it’s way north back to INRD’s Palestine Yard, after doing its work between the Marathon Refinery in Robinson, Illinois and Palestine on the INRD Indianapolis Subdivision.

According to Wikipedia: The Indiana Rail Road (reporting mark INRD) is a United States Class II railroad, originally operating over former Illinois Central Railroad trackage from Newton, Illinois, to Indianapolis, Indiana, a distance of 155 miles (249 km).

This line, now known as the Indiana Rail Road’s Indianapolis Subdivision, comprises most of the former IC line from Indianapolis to Effingham, Illinois; Illinois Central successor Canadian National Railway retains the portion from Newton to Effingham. INRD also owns a former Milwaukee Road line from Terre Haute, Indiana, to Burns City, Indiana (site of the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center), with trackage rights extending to Chicago, Illinois.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Nikkor 70-300 @ 80mm, f/4.5, 1/1250, ISO 125.