Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Louisville locomotive 2013 approaches the US 70 overpass, near Bremen, Kentucky as it heads north with a load of coal for the Louisville, Gas and Electric power plant, outside of Louisville, Kentucky on January 19th, 2023.
Tech Info: iPhone 14 Pro, 6.9 (24mm) Lens at 4x Zoom, f/1.8, 1/90, ISO 20, in 4K video Mode.
Saturday Edited Video from Jim Pearson Photography
In this weeks video I’m taking you on a tour of some of my favorite spots to railfan between Hanson and Slaughters, Ky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen and enjoy the trains!! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching! Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to Subscribe and Ring the Notification Bell so you won’t miss any of my future videos! Have a blessed day everyone!!
Paducah and Louisville Railway locomotive 4503 heads up a loaded Louisville, Gas and Electric coal train as they make their way out of the Warrior Coal loop after picking up a load of coal on January 30th, 2025, at Nebo, Kentucky.
Tech Info: Nikon Z30, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 560mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO 4500.
CSX I025 with CSX NC&SL Heritage Unit 1851 leading, heads south through Crofton Cut, just north of Crofton, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on January 27th, 2025.
According to a CSX Press Release: September 20, 2024 – Railroads have long played a crucial role in shaping the economic and cultural landscapes of the United States. Among these storied lines is the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis (NC&StL) Railway, a key player in the growth of the Southeast. CSX has unveiled its 19th heritage locomotive, a tribute to the NC&StL Railway, celebrating the rich legacy of a system integral to regional development.
Operating from 1851 to 1957, the NC&StL Railway was a vital freight and passenger route, connecting communities across Tennessee and other Southern states. It facilitated the movement of goods and people, boosting commerce and fostering community development along its routes. The railway’s strategic links between Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis significantly contributed to the urban and industrial growth of these cities, supporting industries such as agriculture, coal, and manufacturing.
To honor the historical significance of the NC&StL Railway, CSX introduced the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis heritage locomotive. This initiative is part of CSX’s broader program to preserve the legacy of railroads that are now part of its extensive network. Each heritage unit is carefully crafted to pay homage to the unique identity and history of its predecessor, featuring colors and designs reminiscent of the original rail lines.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.
CSX M513 heads out of Sebree, Kentucky, on January 17th, 2025, as they make their way south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
M513 has PCS Group Switcher 1144 as the third unit and an ex-Union Pacific 4669 with reporting marks of SPTX stenciled on the side of the cab, with both units dead in tow.
According to their website, “PSC Group provides turnkey solutions for safe and efficient rail switching in some of the most challenging and complex sites throughout North America. We manage more than 75 rail switching sites using our own fleet of advanced locomotives and mobile railcar movers, proven safety methods, and highly skilled personnel. By working closely with our customers, we tailor our services to their unique needs, utilizing over 80 locomotives, 30 mobile railcar movers (Trackmobiles and Shuttle Wagons), and more than 1,000 skilled employees to enhance safety, decrease cycle time, prevent derailments, and optimize railcar utilization.
Over the years, we have found that performing railcar switching alongside loading/unloading, railcar repair, and inspections, creates a safer and more efficient operating environment while simultaneously delivering considerable savings. By bundling these synergistic services together, we can provide the most value to our customers’ operations.”
However, I can’t find much information on the SPTX Reporting mark so if anyone can provide me with some, I’d appreciate it!
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130.
CSXT 3228 leads hot intermodal I026 as it passes under the highway 41 overpass at Mortons Gap, Ky, on January 9th, 2026, as it heads southbound in the late evening twilight on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 800.
Paducah and Louisville Railway 4121 heads up a coal train as they load the tail end of their train at the Warrior Coal Loop outside of Nebo, Kentucky on January 10th, 2025, during a heavy snowfall.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.
Union Pacific 6808 and 2659 lead Norfolk Southern 224 over the K&I bridge out of Louisville, Kentucky as they head west over the Ohio River into New Albany, Indiana on the NS Southern East District on April 15th, 2023.
According to Wikipedia: The Kentucky & Indiana Bridge is one of the first multi modal bridges to cross the Ohio River. It is for both railway and common roadway purposes together. By federal, state, and local law railway and streetcar, wagon-way, and pedestrian modes of travel were intended by the City of New Albany, City of Louisville, State of Kentucky, State of Indiana, the United States Congress, and the bridge owners.
The K & I Bridge connects Louisville, Kentucky to New Albany, Indiana. Constructed from 1881 to 1885 by the Kentucky and Indiana Bridge Company, the original K&I Bridge opened in 1886. It included a single standard gauge track and two wagon ways, allowing wagons and other animal powered vehicles to cross the Ohio River by a method other than ferry for the first time. At the time motorized vehicles were virtually nonexistent.
The K&I Bridge company also owned a ferry boat operation during both the 1st and 2nd bridge; eventually that operation was sold as the bridge’s success largely outmoded boat usage.
In 1910 the bridge company was renamed the Kentucky & Indiana Terminal Railroad Co. From 1910 to 1912, a new, heavier bridge was built on new piers just upstream from the original one, after which the old bridge was demolished. The new bridge was double tracked to handle increasingly heavier train and now automobile traffic, eventually receiving the U.S. 31W designation.
The bridge also featured a rotating swing span opening for the passage of ships in high water. The bridge was only opened four times, twice for testing in 1913 and 1915, then in 1916 for the passage of the steamer “Tarascon” and in 1920 for passage of the Australian convict ship “Success”. In 1948 it refused opening of the span for passage of the steamer “Gordon C. Greene” citing inconvenience and costs of cutting power and communication lines, an action for which K&I and LG&E both paid damages to that ship’s company. In 1955 the K&I sought and received permission to permanently tie down the swing span from the Corps of Engineers. In 1952, the creosoted wood block roadways of the second bridge were eliminated and replaced by a steel gridwork roadway.
On February 1, 1979, an overweight dump truck caused a small segment of the steel grate roadway on the bridge to sag about 1 foot (0.30 m). A quick survey promised to reopen the roadway, but automotive traffic was banned thereafter by the railroad.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2500 sec, ISO 130.
Northbound CSX M648 passes under the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Monarch at Madisonville, Kentucky with the CSXT 911, Honoring First Responders locomotive leading, on the Henderson Subdivision on March 9th, 2023.
CSXT 911 is painted in vibrant red with white and gold striped accents along with the logo of program partners First Responders Children’s Foundation and Operation Gratitude. It also features generic police, fire and emergency medical services logos.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 170.
CSXT 3194 Honoring Law Enforcement Locomotive, leads loaded coal train, C321 through the rain, as it sits on track one at Nortonville, Kentucky, as the Casky Yard Turn passes on track two, heading north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on March 3rd, 2023.
CSX C321 would go on to eventually tie down at this location due to heavy rains and winds that passed through the region causing havoc on the Henderson Subdivision between Hopkinsville, Ky and Nashville, TN with MOW crews having to clear over 130 trees from the right-of-way before thru trains would start moving again the next day.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 230mm, f/5.6, 1/250, ISO 360.
This week’s Saturday Infrared photo is of newly painted and refurbished RJ Corman units 2645 and 2648, along with GMTX 9059, as they sit at Nugent Sand Yard in Louisville, Ky on Saturday afternoon, April 15th, 2023. These first two units were recently acquired by the company from Norfolk Southern and are SD70M locomotives, which are beginning to see road service after coming out of the shops.
Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @10mm, f/9, 1/250, ISO 400.
In this weeks video I’m taking you on a tour of some of my favorite spots to railfan around Madisonville, Ky in the snow on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen and enjoy the trains!! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching!
CSXT 5371 leads empty coal train E040 northbound as they climb up out of the valley at Kelly, Kentucky, on January 11th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision after an overnight snowfall. The 600mm focal length on this shot really compresses everything and makes the track appear much worse than they are. Either way it makes for a great shot from my perspective!
Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/1600, ISO 320.
Southbound CSX M513 waits at Romney, south of Nortonville, Kentucky as CSX northbound Intermodal I128 passes them on track 2, on January 17th, 2025, on the Henderson Subdivision.
M513 has PCS Group Switcher 1144 as the third unit and an ex-Union Pacific 4669 with reporting marks of SPTX stenciled on the side of the cab, with both units dead in tow.
According to their website, “PSC Group provides turnkey solutions for safe and efficient rail switching in some of the most challenging and complex sites throughout North America. We manage more than 75 rail switching sites using our own fleet of advanced locomotives and mobile railcar movers, proven safety methods, and highly skilled personnel. By working closely with our customers, we tailor our services to their unique needs, utilizing over 80 locomotives, 30 mobile railcar movers (Trackmobiles and Shuttle Wagons), and more than 1,000 skilled employees to enhance safety, decrease cycle time, prevent derailments, and optimize railcar utilization.
Over the years, we have found that performing railcar switching alongside loading/unloading, railcar repair, and inspections, creates a safer and more efficient operating environment while simultaneously delivering considerable savings. By bundling these synergistic services together, we can provide the most value to our customers’ operations.”
However, I can’t find much information on the SPTX Reporting mark so if anyone can provide me with some, I’d appreciate it!
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 270.
CSX S710 hooks up to their first string of military equipment on the Fort Campbell Wye from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on November15th, 2024.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/100, ISO 120.
CSX M503 takes the siding at the north end of the siding at Kelly, Kentucky after a snow fall on January 11th, 2024, as they make their way south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.
Paducah and Louisville Railway 2104 leads a southbound local as they pass PAL 2012 in the siding with a empty coal train at West Yard, Madisonville, Ky, on a cold, snowy winter day.
Tech Info: Nikon 810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 100.
Paducah and Louisville Railway 4121 heads up a coal train as they load the tail end of their train at the Warrior Coal Loop outside of Nebo, Kentucky on January 10th, 2025, during a heavy snowfall.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.
It’s not very often that I catch a train that has two interesting moves at the same time, but March 26th, 2021 was one of those days when I caught CSX Q513 heading south on the Henderson Subdivision!
Up front behind the first engine was a GMTX 192 switcher (ex-Kansas City Southern Unit) passing through Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Ky, which I’m told is headed for St. Marys Railroad Company, located in St. Marys, Georgia.
On the rear of the train was Mid-America Railcar Leasing (MRLX) 1226, which appears to be an ex-Amtrak baggage car that I’m also told is headed for the Georgia coastal railway at St. Marys, Georgia. I’m also told that it will be converted to a gift shop for their excursion trains. Here it’s passing through the crossing at the north end of the siding at Kelly, Ky, behind the DPU on the rear of the train as they head south on the Henderson Subdivision.
St. Marys Railroad (reporting marks SM) is a standard gauge, Class III, common carrier railroad based out of St. Marys, Georgia. Interchange is made with the First Coast Railroad in Kingsland, Georgia and gives customers easy access to Jacksonville, Florida railroads CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway and Florida East Coast Railway.
Mid America Railcar Leasing is a limited liability company that leases private passenger railroad cars, most of which can be pulled on the end of Amtrak trains.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800 & 1/1250, ISO 100.
It’s not very often that I catch a train that has two interesting moves at the same time, but March 26th, 2021 was one of those days when I caught CSX Q513 heading south on the Henderson Subdivision!
Up front behind the first engine was a GMTX 192 switcher (ex-Kansas City Southern Unit) passing through Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Ky, which I’m told is headed for St. Marys Railroad Company, located in St. Marys, Georgia.
On the rear of the train was Mid-America Railcar Leasing (MRLX) 1226, which appears to be an ex-Amtrak baggage car that I’m also told is headed for the Georgia coastal railway at St. Marys, Georgia. I’m also told that it will be converted to a gift shop for their excursion trains. Here it’s passing through the crossing at the north end of the siding at Kelly, Ky, behind the DPU on the rear of the train as they head south on the Henderson Subdivision.
St. Marys Railroad (reporting marks SM) is a standard gauge, Class III, common carrier railroad based out of St. Marys, Georgia. Interchange is made with the First Coast Railroad in Kingsland, Georgia and gives customers easy access to Jacksonville, Florida railroads CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway and Florida East Coast Railway.
Mid America Railcar Leasing is a limited liability company that leases private passenger railroad cars, most of which can be pulled on the end of Amtrak trains.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800 & 1/1250, ISO 100.
In this week’s Saturday Infrared Photo, CSXT 3261 leads intermodal train, I128, around the curve at the north end of Kelly, Kentucky, on the Henderson Subdivision as they head north on March 3rd, 2024.
Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @ 110mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 400.