LORAM Railgrinder 305 waits in the siding at Crofton, Kentucky as they wait on B211 to clear so they can continue to grind their way south on March 24th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. According to Wikipedia: A railgrinder (or rail grinder) is a maintenance of way vehicle or train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend its life and to improve the ride of trains using the track. Rail grinders were developed to increase the lifespan of the tracks being serviced for rail corrugation. Rail grinding is a process that is done to stop deformation due to use and friction on railroad tracks by removing deformations and corrosion. Railroad tracks that experience continual use are more likely to experience corrugation and overall wear. Rail grinders are used to grind the tracks when rail corrugation is present, or before corrugation begins to form on the tracks. Major freight train tracks use rail grinders for track maintenance based on the interval of tonnage, rather than time. Transit systems and subways in major cities continue to use scheduled rail grinding processes to combat the corrugation common to heavily used tracks. Rail-grinding equipment may be mounted on a single self-propelled vehicle or on a dedicated rail-grinding train which, when used on an extensive network, may include crew quarters. The grinding wheels, of which there may be more than 100, are set at controlled angles to restore the track to its correct profile. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 140. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromadrone #csxhendersonsubdivision #onecsx #loram #railgrinder

LORAM Railgrinder 305 waits in the siding at Crofton, Kentucky as they wait on B211 to clear

LORAM Railgrinder 305 waits in the siding at Crofton, Kentucky as they wait on B211 to clear so they can continue to grind their way south on March 24th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

According to Wikipedia: A railgrinder (or rail grinder) is a maintenance of way vehicle or train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend its life and to improve the ride of trains using the track. Rail grinders were developed to increase the lifespan of the tracks being serviced for rail corrugation. Rail grinding is a process that is done to stop deformation due to use and friction on railroad tracks by removing deformations and corrosion.

Railroad tracks that experience continual use are more likely to experience corrugation and overall wear. Rail grinders are used to grind the tracks when rail corrugation is present, or before corrugation begins to form on the tracks. Major freight train tracks use rail grinders for track maintenance based on the interval of tonnage, rather than time.

Transit systems and subways in major cities continue to use scheduled rail grinding processes to combat the corrugation common to heavily used tracks. Rail-grinding equipment may be mounted on a single self-propelled vehicle or on a dedicated rail-grinding train which, when used on an extensive network, may include crew quarters. The grinding wheels, of which there may be more than 100, are set at controlled angles to restore the track to its correct profile.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 140.

CSX loaded rail train W471 pulls slowly while dropping rail as they pass the site where the last wooden bridge was located on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on Davis Road, north of Crofton, Kentucky on February 27th, 2025. CSX built a new road for residents to access their homes on the right side of this shot and have since torn down the old wooden bridge that used to cross over the tracks at this location. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromadrone #flooding #csxhendersonsubdivision #onecsx

CSX loaded rail train W471 pulls slowly while dropping rail

CSX loaded rail train W471 pulls slowly while dropping rail as they pass the site where the last wooden bridge was located on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on Davis Road, north of Crofton, Kentucky on February 27th, 2025. CSX built a new road for residents to access their homes on the right side of this shot and have since torn down the old wooden bridge that used to cross over the tracks at this location.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

A CSX ballaster works on the recently repaired track from the M501 derailment site on the cutoff track for the CSX Henderson Subdivision, just outside of Mortons Gap, Ky, on March 3rd, 2025. The derailment happened in the early morning hours on March 2nd, 2025, as the train was approaching Mortons Junction, after R&B Enterprises out of Mississippi worked on removing the cars and repairing the tracks. I’m told that a broken drawbar was likely what caused the derailment, but that’s not official. No one was injured in this event. The track is currently back open with a speed restriction. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 120. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromadrone #trainderailment #csxhendersonsubdivision #onecsx

A CSX ballaster works on the recently repaired track from the M501 derailment site at Mortons Gap, Ky

A CSX ballaster works on the recently repaired track from the M501 derailment site on the cutoff track for the CSX Henderson Subdivision, just outside of Mortons Gap, Ky, on March 3rd, 2025. The derailment happened in the early morning hours on March 2nd, 2025, as the train was approaching Mortons Junction, after B&P Enterprises out of Mississippi worked on removing the cars and repairing the tracks.

I’m told that a broken drawbar was likely what caused the derailment, but that’s not official. No one was injured in this event. The track is currently back open with a speed restriction.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 120.

CSXT 3122 leads M647 as it passes loaded rail train W471, being led by CSXT 5403 at Romney, Nortonville, Kentucky as they both make their way south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on February 27th, 2025. Once passed, the rail train continued their work of dropping rail between Romney and Crofton, Ky. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromadrone #flooding #csxhendersonsubdivision #onecsx

CSXT 3122 leads M647 as it passes loaded rail train W471 at Nortonville, Kentucky

CSXT 3122 leads M647 as it passes loaded rail train W471, being led by CSXT 5403 at Romney, Nortonville, Kentucky as they both make their way south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on February 27th, 2025. Once passed, the rail train continued their work of dropping rail between Romney and Crofton, Ky.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 as they pass the grain facility at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on October 20th, 2024. From what I can find on the FRA Website, DOTX-218 is a Gage Restraint Measurement Vehicle and DOTX-220 Track Geometry Car. DOTX 218 Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS) vehicle procured in May 2004, is a state-of-the-art deployable GRMS vehicle which utilizes a 5th split railroad axle to laterally load the head of both adjacent rails of railroad track in order to measure rail motion under a combined vertical and later load for the detection of weak ties and fasteners. It has a unique suspension system which maintains alignment and apply continuous loads perpendicular to the rails regardless of the roll, pitch or vertical movement of the carbody on its suspension, or the curvature of the track; lifts and lowers split axle for testing and stowage; and orients split axle so that wheels are tangent to rails as track curvature varies. DOTX 220 measures track geometry parameters, i.e., track gage, alignment, track surface (cross level, warp, profile) and calculate limiting train speed in curves. Fully equipped with non-contact sensors, the TGMS computes track geometry parameters at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. Data can be processed to 200 miles per hour. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/3200, ISO 100. #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 at Hopkinsville, Kentucky

CSXT 4758 leads W008 with two FRA inspection cars, DOTX 218 and DOTX 220 as they pass the grain facility at Hopkinsville, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on November 20th, 2024.

From what I can find on the FRA Website, DOTX-218 is a Gage Restraint Measurement Vehicle and DOTX-220 Track Geometry Car.

DOTX 218 Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS) vehicle procured in May 2004, is a state-of-the-art deployable GRMS vehicle which utilizes a 5th split railroad axle to laterally load the head of both adjacent rails of railroad track in order to measure rail motion under a combined vertical and later load for the detection of weak ties and fasteners. It has a unique suspension system which maintains alignment and apply continuous loads perpendicular to the rails regardless of the roll, pitch or vertical movement of the carbody on its suspension, or the curvature of the track; lifts and lowers split axle for testing and stowage; and orients split axle so that wheels are tangent to rails as track curvature varies.

DOTX 220 measures track geometry parameters, i.e., track gage, alignment, track surface (cross level, warp, profile) and calculate limiting train speed in curves. Fully equipped with non-contact sensors, the TGMS computes track geometry parameters at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. Data can be processed to 200 miles per hour.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/5, 1/3200, ISO 100.

 

August 8, 2009 – During one of my many trips over the years to Summer Rail I caught CSXT 154 & 395 as it led a maintenance of way train, with two switches in gondolas, as it crossed over the Ohio River at Covington, Kentucky as it headed south off the C&O Railroad bridge from Cincinnati, Ohio. Tech Info: Nikon D700, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 200mm, f/8, 1/500. ISO 640. #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #trendingphoto

CSXT 154 & 395 as it led a maintenance of way train, with two switches in gondolas…

August 8, 2009 – During one of my many trips over the years to Summer Rail I caught CSXT 154 & 395 as it led a maintenance of way train, with two switches in gondolas, as it crossed over the Ohio River at Covington, Kentucky as it headed south off the C&O Railroad bridge from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tech Info: Nikon D700, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 200mm, f/8, 1/500. ISO 640.

The sun has set, and dusk has arrived over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Crofton, Kentucky on July 19th, 2024, and a parade of track working equipment, and men have began working their way south through town during the first week of a three-week work curfew on the line. CSX has been running most of their trains during daylight hours to allow track workers to replace ties, crossings and other types of maintenance work on the subdivision. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/15, ISO 140, -2.0 exposure compensation for the highlights. #railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #trendingphoto #csxt #trainsfromadrone #trainsatnight

The sun has set, and dusk has arrived over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Crofton, Kentucky

The sun has set, and dusk has arrived over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Crofton, Kentucky on July 19th, 2024, and a parade of track working equipment, and men have began working their way south through town during the first week of a three-week work curfew on the line. CSX has been running most of their trains during daylight hours to allow track workers to replace ties, crossings and other types of maintenance work on the subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/15, ISO 140, -2.0 exposure compensation for the highlights.

CSX G366 pulls northbound approaching Anaconda at Robards, Kentucky on July 5th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. G366 is normally just an empty grain train, here it was hauling a long string of maintenance of way equipment which will be used in an upcoming CSX work curfew that is scheduled to begin on the subdivision in the next week or so. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150. #railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography

CSX G366 pulls northbound approaching Anaconda at Robards, Kentucky

CSX G366 pulls northbound approaching Anaconda at Robards, Kentucky on July 5th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. G366 is normally just an empty grain train, here it was hauling a long string of maintenance of way equipment which will be used in an upcoming CSX work curfew that is scheduled to begin on the subdivision in the next week or so.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150.

CSX I025 meets G366 at Anaconda, just north of Sebree, Kentucky as it heads south on July 5th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. G366 is normally just an empty grain train, but today it was hauling a long string of maintenance of way equipment which will be used in an upcoming CSX work curfew that is scheduled to begin on the subdivision in the next week or so. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 110. #railroad #railroads #train #trains #bestphoto #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailway #bestphotograph #photographyoftrains #trainphotography #JimPearsonPhotography #trendingphoto #csxt #trainsfromadrone #csxoperationlifesaver

CSX I025 meets G366 at Anaconda, just north of Sebree, Kentucky

CSX I025 meets G366 at Anaconda, just north of Sebree, Kentucky as it heads south on July 5th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. G366 is normally just an empty grain train, but today it was hauling a long string of maintenance of way equipment which will be used in an upcoming CSX work curfew that is scheduled to begin on the subdivision in the next week or so.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 110.