CSX loaded military train S850 sits in the siding at the north end of Rankin, Kentucky as they meet a southbound I025 on the Henderson Subdivision on August 4th, 2022. I'm told that lately this intermodal has been running with these autoracks loaded with Teslas on their way south. Today's train had 25 autoracks. The cars range in price from $46,000 - $120,000, depending on the model. Military Humvees cost around $70,000 each. Upgraded humvee variants, called armored or up-armored Humvees, carry higher price tags that range from $160,000 to $220000. A lot of money being moved here, not even including the intermodal shipments! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/3000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSX loaded military train S850 meets I025 at Rankin, KY on the Henderson Subdivision

CSX loaded military train S850 sits in the siding at the north end of Rankin, Kentucky as they meet a southbound I025 on the Henderson Subdivision on August 4th, 2022. I’m told that lately this intermodal has been running with these autoracks loaded with Teslas on their way south. Today’s train had 25 autoracks. The cars range in price from $46,000 – $120,000, depending on the model.

Military Humvees cost around $70,000 each. Upgraded humvee variants, called armored or up-armored Humvees, carry higher price tags that range from $160,000 to $220000. A lot of money being moved here, not even including the intermodal shipments!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/3000, ISO 100.

CSX L382 puts out a bit of smoke as it pulls away from WF Ware after picking up a cut of grain cars at Trenton, Kentucky on July 12th, 2022, on the Henderson Subdivision. L382 is the local that runs between Casky yard in Hopkinsville and Guthrie, Ky and here we catch it as it starts its run back to Casky. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 220mm, f/5.3, 1/1250, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSX L382 puts out a bit of smoke as it pulls away from WF Ware at Trenton, KY

CSX L382 puts out a bit of smoke as it pulls away from WF Ware after picking up a cut of grain cars at Trenton, Kentucky on July 12th, 2022, on the Henderson Subdivision. L382 is the local that runs between Casky yard in Hopkinsville and Guthrie, Ky and here we catch it as it starts its run back to Casky.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 220mm, f/5.3, 1/1250, ISO 200.

CSX M512 approaches the bridge replacement area, just south of Hanson, Kentucky

CSX M512 approaches the bridge replacement area, just south of Hanson, Kentucky as it heads north on the Henderson Subdivision under stormy skies on August 2nd, 2022. Fortunately, we here in Western Kentucky have not seen the massive flood waters like they have in the eastern park of the state. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Ex-Dynegy switcher 9344, that is now lettered GMTX 527 with, at Paducah, Kentucky

When I was on photo assignment for the Paducah and Louisville Railway on July 8th, 2022, at Paducah, Ky I was given permission to photograph this ex-Dynegy switcher 9344, that is now lettered GMTX 527, as it sat in the north end of the yard for Progress Rail to pick it up. Not sure what’s being done to it or for who, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to photograph it.

From what I can find online: Dynegy Inc. was an electric company based in Houston, Texas, in the United States. It owned and operated several power stations in the U.S., all of which were natural gas-fueled or coal-fueled, until merging with Vistra Corp on April 9, 2018. I’m not a power guy, but I understand that it is a SW1500 with relco remote control added. It was built as PRR 7925 (SW1200) on 12/1957 and has a frame number of 4414-26.

If you have any other information, please share it in the comments!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110.

Paducah & Louisville Railway 35th Anniversary units, 2021 and 1986 work at the north end of the yard in this Infrared photo from July 8th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky. The two engines have been painted in colors and scheme closely matching the original PAL paint scheme from 1986 and are in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Paducah and Louisville Railway. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 24mm, f/7.1, 1/250, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #infraredtrainphotography #infraredphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #irphotography

Paducah & Louisville Railway 35th Anniversary units, 2021 and 1986 at Paducah, Ky in Infrared

Paducah & Louisville Railway 35th Anniversary units, 2021 and 1986 work at the north end of the yard in this Infrared photo from July 8th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky.

The two engines have been painted in colors and scheme closely matching the original PAL paint scheme from 1986 and are in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Paducah and Louisville Railway.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 10-24 @ 24mm, f/7.1, 1/250, ISO 200.

CSXT 911 leads a northbound empty coke train B420, on May 15th, 2022, as it pulls away from Arklow at Madisonville, Kentucky with an empty coke train after dropping off its load at Calvert City Terminal at Calvert City, Ky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway. CSXT 911 is one of several specialty painted units that CSX has painted in the last few years and this unit honors First Responders. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 330mm, f/5.6, 1/640, ISO 250. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

CSXT 911 leads a northbound empty coke train B420, on May 15th, 2022 at Madisonville, Kentucky

CSXT 911 leads a northbound empty coke train B420, on May 15th, 2022, as it pulls away from Arklow at Madisonville, Kentucky with an empty coke train after dropping off its load at Calvert City Terminal at Calvert City, Ky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway.

CSXT 911 is one of several specialty painted units that CSX has painted in the last few years and this unit honors First Responders.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 330mm, f/5.6, 1/640, ISO 250.

Paducah and Louisville Railways' (PAL) newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 2021 and 1986, work in the north end of the yard on July 8th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky. 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 1986. Flown and access with permission from the Paducah and Louisville Railway. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ 35th Anniversary engines 2021 and 1986 working at Paducah, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ (PAL) newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 2021 and 1986, work in the north end of the yard on July 8th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky.

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 1986.

Flown and access with permission from the Paducah and Louisville Railway.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 130.

Several firsts for me in this drone image from June 24th, 2022, showing the whole loop at Warrior Coal outside Nebo, Kentucky! On this Norfolk Southern coal train, we find NS Illinois Terminal Heritage Unit 1072 leading with Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotive, 4522 trailing, as they prepare to load an empty coal drag, with NS Southern Heritage Unit 8114 bringing up the rear. This was my first time catching a coal train with a heritage unit leading and as a DPU on the rear, plus doing so on the Paducah and Louisville Railway with one of the University of Kentucky units in the consist was pretty cool! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1500, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

NS Illinois Terminal Heritage Unit 1072 leading with Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotive, 4522 trailing and NS Southern Heritage Unit 8114 as DPU

Several firsts for me in this drone image from June 24th, 2022, showing the whole loop at Warrior Coal outside Nebo, Kentucky! On this Norfolk Southern coal train, we find NS Illinois Terminal Heritage Unit 1072 leading with Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotive, 4522 trailing, as they prepare to load an empty coal drag, with NS Southern Heritage Unit 8114 bringing up the rear.

This was my first time catching a coal train with a heritage unit leading and as a DPU on the rear, plus doing so on the Paducah and Louisville Railway with one of the University of Kentucky units in the consist was pretty cool!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1500, ISO 130.

UP 5970 leads CSX S988 as it heads south through the S Curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with two new Brightline Green and Pink commuter train sets, as they head for Florida, on the Henderson Subdivision on July 16th, 2022. These train sets were built by Siemens in Sacramento, California and are destined for service along Brightline’s routes in Florida. According to Wikipedia: Brightline is a privately run intercity rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida that runs on track owned by Florida East Coast Railway. An extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport is expected to open in 2023. Brightline is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. Its development started 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 and the route opened in January 2018. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSX S988 as it heads south through the S Curve at Nortonville, Kentucky

UP 5970 leads CSX S988 as it heads south through the S Curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with two new Brightline Green and Pink commuter train sets, as they head for Florida, on the Henderson Subdivision on July 16th, 2022.

These train sets were built by Siemens in Sacramento, California and are destined for service along Brightline’s routes in Florida.

According to Wikipedia: Brightline is a privately run intercity rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida that runs on track owned by Florida East Coast Railway. An extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport is expected to open in 2023.

Brightline is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. Its development started 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 and the route opened in January 2018.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

CSX S988 heads south over Gum Lick Trestle, just north of Kelly, Kentucky with two new Brightline Green and Pink commuter train sets, with UP 5970 leading, as they head for Florida, on the Henderson Subdivision on July 16th, 2022. The “Gum Lick” name comes from the fact that the valley here is named Gum Lick Hollow and it sits between Crofton and Kelly Kentucky where it crosses over the West Fork of Pond River, and it is the highest trestle on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. These train sets were built by Siemens in Sacramento, California and are destined for service along Brightline’s routes in Florida. According to Wikipedia: Brightline is a privately run inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida that runs on track owned by Florida East Coast Railway. An extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport is expected to open in 2023. Brightline is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. Its development started 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 and the route opened in January 2018. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSX S988 heads south over Gum Lick Trestle, just north of Kelly, Kentucky with two new Brightline train sets

CSX S988 heads south over Gum Lick Trestle, just north of Kelly, Kentucky with two new Brightline Green and Pink commuter train sets, with UP 5970 leading, as they head for Florida, on the Henderson Subdivision on July 16th, 2022.

The “Gum Lick” name comes from the fact that the valley here is named Gum Lick Hollow and it sits between Crofton and Kelly Kentucky where it crosses over the West Fork of Pond River, and it is the highest trestle on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

These train sets were built by Siemens in Sacramento, California and are destined for service along Brightline’s routes in Florida.

According to Wikipedia: Brightline is a privately run inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida that runs on track owned by Florida East Coast Railway. An extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport is expected to open in 2023.

Brightline is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. Its development started 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 and the route opened in January 2018.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 120.

What could be better than the light at dusk and five beautiful BNSF units leading a northbound loaded potash and empty ethanol combined train? Well, actually I can think of a lot of things, but still a nice picture! I first caught this CSX B207 as it headed across the CR Drawbridge in downtown Nashville, Tennessee as it began its trip north on July 12th, 2022. That was about 4pm in the afternoon and I had no idea I’d catch up with it as it was about 5:30 before I left town, and traffic was pretty congested all the way to Clarksville, TN! But here I was, ahead of it at Mortons Gap, KY almost 4 hours later, on the Henderson Subdivision, getting this nice light shot at 7pm! There was also two CSX units on it as mid train DPUs. The power was: BNSF 3687, 8028, 4397, 6714, 5992 leading with CSXT 3430 and 3387 as mid train DPUs. Actually, they were also heading up the empty ethanol train. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/4, 1/320, ISO 1100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #regionalrailroad

CSX B207 northbound at Mortons Gap, Ky on the Henderson Subdivision with five BNSF units

What could be better than the light at dusk and five beautiful BNSF units leading a northbound loaded potash and empty ethanol combined train? Well, actually I can think of a lot of things, but still a nice picture!

I first caught this CSX B207 as it headed across the CR Drawbridge in downtown Nashville, Tennessee as it began its trip north on July 12th, 2022. That was about 4pm in the afternoon and I had no idea I’d catch up with it as it was about 5:30 before I left town, and traffic was pretty congested all the way to Clarksville, TN! But here I was, ahead of it at Mortons Gap, KY almost 4 hours later, on the Henderson Subdivision, getting this nice light shot at 7pm! There was also two CSX units on it as mid train DPUs.

The power was: BNSF 3687, 8028, 4397, 6714, 5992 leading with CSXT 3430 and 3387 as mid train DPUs. Actually, they were also heading up the empty ethanol train.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/4, 1/320, ISO 1100.

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 2021 and 1986 at Paducah, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ (PAL) newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 2021 and 1986, sit in the wye next the locomotive shop on July 8th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky. Both units were done by Progress Rails shops in Mayfield, KY.

I’m told the two engines have been painted in colors and scheme closely matching the original PAL paint scheme from 1986 and are in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Paducah and Louisville Railway.

Flown and access with permission from the Paducah and Louisville Railway.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ (PAL) newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 2021 and 1986, work out of the north end of the yard on July 8th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky as they build a train. The two engines have been painted in colors and scheme closely matching the original PAL paint scheme from 1986 and are in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Paducah and Louisville Railway. Currently these two engines are only seeing yard service at Paducah while they are put through their paces before taking to the road. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 2021 and 1986 work Paducah, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ (PAL) newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 2021 and 1986, work out of the north end of the yard on July 8th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky as they build a train.

The two engines have been painted in colors and scheme closely matching the original PAL paint scheme from 1986 and are in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Paducah and Louisville Railway. Currently these two engines are only seeing yard service at Paducah while they are put through their paces before taking to the road.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

For me, this is a rare and unknown, catch of this switcher #13 operating at the Arkema plant in the industrial area in Calvert City, Kentucky on July 6th, 2022. Rare and unknown is because after 20 years of photographing around the Calvert City industrial area I’ve never seen or knew this unit even existed! I have always assumed that the Paducah and Louisville Railway worked this plant, as it does many others in the area. It’s possible it’s fairly new at the plant, as when I look at the earth view on Google Maps, I don’t see it anywhere on the property. It’s always nice to stumble on something different in my travels, as myself and fellow railfan Ryan Scott found on our trip to Paducah, Ky yesterday to photograph their 35th Anniversary locomotives! I don’t have any lineage on this unit at all, and I’m not a power guy, so all I know is it is at the Arkema plant in Calvert City. It is a specialty chemicals and advanced materials company headquartered in Colombes, near Paris, France, which is organized into three business segments: Coating Solutions, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 230mm, f/3.5, 1/1000, ISO 250. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Switcher #13 operating at the Arkema plant in the industrial area in Calvert City, Kentucky

For me, this is a rare and unknown, catch of this switcher #13 operating at the Arkema plant in the industrial area in Calvert City, Kentucky on July 6th, 2022.

Rare and unknown is because after 20 years of photographing around the Calvert City industrial area I’ve never seen or knew this unit even existed! I have always assumed that the Paducah and Louisville Railway worked this plant, as it does many others in the area. It’s possible it’s fairly new at the plant, as when I look at the earth view on Google Maps, I don’t see it anywhere on the property.

It’s always nice to stumble on something different in my travels, as myself and fellow railfan Ryan Scott found on our trip to Paducah, Ky yesterday to photograph their 35th Anniversary locomotives!

I don’t have any lineage on this unit at all, and I’m not a power guy, so all I know is it is at the Arkema plant in Calvert City. It is a specialty chemicals and advanced materials company headquartered in Colombes, near Paris, France, which is organized into three business segments: Coating Solutions, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 230mm, f/3.5, 1/1000, ISO 250.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railways' (PAL) newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 1986 and 2021, work in the yard on July 6th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky. The two engines have been painted in the original PAL paint scheme from 1986 and were in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Paducah and Louisville Railway. Currently these two engines are only seeing yard service at Paducah while they are put through their paces before taking to the road, which I’m told they will do before long. I had hoped for a better side view so you can see both engines, but PAL doesn’t allow drones over their yard without permission now and the engines didn’t come south through the yard enough for a good side view shot. I hope to have some better images by next week, as PAL has asked me to come to the yard and photograph them for their PR department. Stay tuned! Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 560. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ (PAL) newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 1986 and 2021 at Paducah, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railways’ (PAL) newly painted 35th Anniversary engines 1986 and 2021, work in the yard on July 6th, 2022, at Paducah, Kentucky. The two engines have been painted in the original PAL paint scheme from 1986 and were in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Paducah and Louisville Railway. Currently these two engines are only seeing yard service at Paducah while they are put through their paces before taking to the road, which I’m told they will do before long.

I had hoped for a better side view so you can see both engines, but PAL doesn’t allow drones over their yard without permission now and the engines didn’t come south through the yard enough for a good side view shot. I hope to have some better images by next week, as PAL has asked me to come to the yard and photograph them for their PR department. Stay tuned!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 560.

Several firsts for me in this latest drone image from June 24th, 2022, at Warrior Coal Loop outside Nebo, Kentucky! On this Norfolk Southern coal train, we find NS Illinois Terminal Heritage Unit 1072 leading with Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotive, 4522 trailing, as they prepare to load an empty coal drag, with NS Southern Heritage Unit 8114 bringing up the rear as the DPU. This was my first time catching a coal train with a heritage unit leading and as a DPU on the rear, plus doing so on the Paducah and Louisville Railway with one of the University of Kentucky units in the consist! Pretty cool! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

NS Illinois Terminal Heritage Units 1072 and 8114 at Warrior Coal, Nebo, Kentucky

Several firsts for me in this latest drone image from June 24th, 2022, at Warrior Coal Loop outside Nebo, Kentucky! On this Norfolk Southern coal train, we find NS Illinois Terminal Heritage Unit 1072 leading with Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotive, 4522 trailing, as they prepare to load an empty coal drag, with NS Southern Heritage Unit 8114 bringing up the rear as the DPU.

This was my first time catching a coal train with a heritage unit leading and as a DPU on the rear, plus doing so on the Paducah and Louisville Railway with one of the University of Kentucky units in the consist! Pretty cool!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.