Norfolk Southern Railroad – Page 2 – Jim Pearson Photography

Norfolk Southern 9905 leads Triple Crown RoadRailer train NS 256 Eastbound at Sidney, Illinois

Norfolk Southern 9905 leads Triple Crown RoadRailer train as it stretches across the southern Illinois landscape running as eastbound NS 256 outside of Sidney, Illinois under cloudy weather along the NS Lafayette District on August 17th, 2024. The RoadRailer trains will become a thing of the past as of the weekend of 24-25th of August 2024, as the service will be discontinued and transitioned fully to standard double-stack trains.

According to Wikipedia: A RoadRailer is a trailer or semi-trailer that can be hauled on roads by a tractor unit and then by way of a fifth wheel coupling, operate in a unit train on railway lines. The RoadRailer system allows trailers to be pulled by locomotives without the use of flatcars, instead attaching trailers directly to bogies.

Triple Crown, a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway, remains a user of RoadRailer transportation as of 2022. However, on August 12th, 2024, they announced the last RoadRailer Trains would be running the weekend of August 24 and 25, 2024. The RoadRailer trains will be replaced temporarily with Trailer on Flat Car (TOFC) service before transitioning fully to a standard double-stack container trains.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 220.

Norfolk Southern 9800 leads NS 255 Triple Crown RoadRailer train westbound at Shadeland, Indiana

Norfolk Southern 9800 leads NS 255 Triple Crown RoadRailer train westbound at Shadeland, Indiana on the NS Lafayette District on August 17th, 2024. The RoadRailer trains will become a thing of the past as of the 24-25th of August 2024 as the service will be discontinued and transitioned fully to standard double-stack trains.

According to Wikipedia: A RoadRailer is a trailer or semi-trailer that can be hauled on roads by a tractor unit and then by way of a fifth wheel coupling, operate in a unit train on railway lines. The RoadRailer system allows trailers to be pulled by locomotives without the use of flatcars, instead attaching trailers directly to bogies.

Triple Crown, a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway, remains a user of RoadRailer transportation as of 2022. However on August 12th, 2024 they announced the last RoadRailer Trains would be running the weekend of August 24 and 25, 2024. The RoadRailer trains will be replaced temporarily with Trailer on Flat Car (TOFC) service before transitioning fully to a standard double-stack container trains.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, Sigma 150-600 @ 155mm, f/23, 1/800, ISO 1800.

NS 255 Triple Crown RoadRailer train westbound at Sidney, Illinois on the Lafayette District

Norfolk Southern 9800 leads NS 255 Triple Crown RoadRailer train westbound as it passes through the curve outside of Sidney, Illinois on the NS Lafayette District on August 17th, 2024. The RoadRailer trains will become a thing of the past as of the 24-25th of August 2024 as the service will be discontinued and transitioned fully to standard double-stack trains.

According to Wikipedia: A RoadRailer is a trailer or semi-trailer that can be hauled on roads by a tractor unit and then by way of a fifth wheel coupling, operate in a unit train on railway lines. The RoadRailer system allows trailers to be pulled by locomotives without the use of flatcars, instead attaching trailers directly to bogies.

Triple Crown, a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway, remains a user of RoadRailer transportation as of 2022. However on August 12th, 2024 they announced the last RoadRailer Trains would be running the weekend of August 24 and 25, 2024. The RoadRailer trains will be replaced temporarily with Trailer on Flat Car (TOFC) service before transitioning fully to a standard double-stack container trains.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/25, 1/350, ISO 1400.

Norfolk Southern 3603 leads B231 northbound as it passes the north end of Robards, Kentucky

Norfolk Southern 3603 leads B231 northbound as it passes the north end of Robards, Kentucky, on April 20th, 2024, on the Henderson Subdivision. B231 is a loaded phosphate train that runs from Mulberry, FL to Bensenville, IL (CPKC). G413 is a loaded grain train that runs from Evansville, IN to S&N Yard at Montgomery, AL.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 120.

Norfolk Southern 4199 leads a northbound autorack train on the NS CNO&TP Third District at Spring City, TN

Norfolk Southern 4199 leads a northbound autorack train on the NS CNO&TP Third District as they pass the old depot in downtown Spring City, Tennessee on April 28th, 2024.

According to https://theclio.com website: The restored railroad depot was built In 1900 by the Queen and Crescent Railroad Company that extended out of Cincinnati Ohio built for the purposes of extending travel and commerce to the south.

In addition to it’s function of providing access to the southern areas of the United States, the Depot eventually became a museum that chronicled the story of a group of female rebels dubbed “The Rhea County Spartans.” During the course of the Civil War these Women Served as spies for the Confederate Army. However they were eventually caught and as a result of their actions they were arrested and sent 54 miles to the Market Street in Chattanooga. It was there that they were forced to swear allegiance to the Union before being sent back home on foot.

Today it houses the Spring City History Museum.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 160.

Norfolk Southern 890 passes the old mine loadout at Revelo outside Sterns, Kentucky

Norfolk Southern 890 passes the old mine loadout at Revelo outside Sterns, Kentucky as they head southbound with a load of coal on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Subdivision, on April 30th, 2024. The coal was picked up at Warrior Coal mine on the Paducah and Louisville Railway, outside of Nebo, Kentucky and is headed for the TVA power plant at Kingston, Ky under stormy skies.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

Union Pacific 5760 and 9788 lead Norfolk Southern 224 through the location known as Revilo, at Sterns, Ky

Union Pacific 5760 and 9788 lead Norfolk Southern 224 through the location known as Revilo, at Sterns, Ky, through a light rain as they head northbound on the CNO&TP 2nd District.

According to American-rails.com, It used to be called the Rathole Division when it was the Southern Railway and is often remembered as a road with relatively flat and tangent main lines due to the region in which it operated. However, the system did feature its share of steep, circuitous main lines such as Saluda Grade in western North Carolina and its famed “Rathole Division” through Kentucky and Tennessee that reached as far north as Cincinnati.

Technically, this stretch of the Southern main line was known as the 2nd District of subsidiary Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific (CNO&TP), which was plagued for years by numerous tunnels resulting in its famous nickname by the crews which operated over it.

Over the years the Southern worked to daylight or bypass these obstacles as the route saw significant freight tonnage, a task finally completed during the 1960s. Today, the Rathole remains an important artery in Norfolk Southern’s vast network.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 95mm, f/5, 1/400, ISO 64.

Norfolk Southern 229 runs along the Emory River at Harriman, TN

Norfolk Southern 229 runs along the Emory River at Harriman, TN, on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) as it heads north on April 28th, 2024.

According to American-rails.com, It used to be called the Rathole Division when it was the Southern Railway and is often remembered as a road with relatively flat and tangent main lines due to the region in which it operated. However, the system did feature its share of steep, circuitous main lines such as Saluda Grade in western North Carolina and its famed “Rathole Division” through Kentucky and Tennessee that reached as far north as Cincinnati.

Technically, this stretch of the Southern main line was known as the 2nd District of subsidiary Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific (CNO&TP), which was plagued for years by numerous tunnels resulting in its famous nickname by the crews which operated over it.

Over the years the Southern worked to daylight or bypass these obstacles as the route saw significant freight tonnage, a task finally completed during the 1960s. Today, the Rathole remains an important artery in Norfolk Southern’s vast network.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 220.

Norfolk Southern 219 heads south at Keno cut at Tateville, Kentucky

Norfolk Southern 219 heads south at Keno cut on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Second District south of Tateville, Kentucky, on April 30th, 2024. This was my first time shooting from this location and really love it! A big shout out to Andrew Stephenson and Matt Murphy for help during my trip along the Second District!! Because of you it was a very successful trip!

I didn’t make it all the way to Danville, Ky like I had planned on this trip, as the time caught up with me, so I guess that means another trip down the road!! Stay tuned as I have a lot of photos and videos, I’m working on to share with everyone!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 370.

Norfolk Southern 4413 and 9783 lead 29F at Revelo outside Sterns, Kentucky

Norfolk Southern 4413 and 9783 lead 29F as they pass the old mine loadout at Revelo outside Sterns, Kentucky with their train, which includes 10 flats loaded with John Deere Tractors behind the power, as they head south on NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Subdivision, on April 30th, 2024. stormy skies.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 120.

Norfolk Southern 167 makes their way across the New River Bridge at New River, TN

Norfolk Southern 167 makes their way across the New River Bridge under stormy skies as they head southbound on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Second District at New River, Tennessee. On April 30th, 2024.

According to the Historic Bridges website: This bridge is a very large high level deck cantilever truss bridge. It was constructed in 1963 and as such is a late example of its type, but still noteworthy as an uncommon structure type and for its size. Typical of 1960s truss bridges, the bridge still has riveted built-up beams, but v-lacing and lattice are absent in the built-up beams, and truss connections are bolted instead of riveted. It is 1,622.0 Feet (494.4 Meters) long, with 3 Main Span(s) and 6 Approach Span(s) is over 300 feet above the river.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 140.

Norfolk Southern engines lead NS 168 NB at New River, TN

A set of Norfolk Southern engines lead NS 168 as they make their way across the New River Bridge northbound on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Subdivision at New River, Tennessee. On April 29th, 2024.

According to the Historic Bridges website: This bridge is a very large high level deck cantilever truss bridge. It was constructed in 1963 and as such is a late example of its type, but still noteworthy as an uncommon structure type and for its size. Typical of 1960s truss bridges, the bridge still has riveted built-up beams, but v-lacing and lattice are absent in the built-up beams, and truss connections are bolted instead of riveted. It is 1,622.0 Feet (494.4 Meters) long, with 3 Main Span(s) and 6 Approach Span(s) is over 300 feet above the river.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 160.

Union Pacific 5954, leads a southbound Norfolk Southern Intermodal off the Tennbridge at Chattanooga, TN

Union Pacific 5954, sporting their new paint scheme, leads a southbound Norfolk Southern Intermodal off the Tennbridge, over the Tennessee River at sunset, on the CNO&TP Third District, at East Chattanooga, TN.

According to Wikipedia: Tenbridge is a vertical-lift railroad bridge over the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It has a main span of 310 feet (94 m).

The original span was a swing span with a center pivot that was originally built in ca. 1879/1880. It was replaced by a vertical lift span in 1917, but the lift towers and machinery were not installed until 1920. It remains a very busy crossing on the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway, a major subsidiary of the Norfolk Southern Railway. The bridge carries two mainline tracks across the river.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 290.

Norfolk Southern intermodal 28C heads northbound across High Bridge at Highbridge, Kentucky

Norfolk Southern intermodal 28C heads northbound across High Bridge on June 8th, 2024, crossing the Kentucky River on the NS CNO&TP First District at Highbridge, Kentucky.

According to Wikipedia: The High Bridge is a railroad bridge crossing the Kentucky River Palisades, that rises approximately 275 feet from the river below and connects Jessamine and Mercer counties in Kentucky. Formally dedicated in 1879, it is the first cantilever bridge constructed in the United States. It has a three-span continuous under-deck truss used by Norfolk Southern Railway to carry trains between Lexington and Danville. It has been designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

In 1851, the Lexington & Danville Railroad, with Julius Adams as chief engineer, retained John A. Roebling to build a railroad suspension bridge across the Kentucky River for a line connecting Lexington and Danville, Kentucky west of the intersection of the Dix and Kentucky rivers. In 1855, the company ran out of money and the project was resumed by Cincinnati Southern Railroad in 1873 following a proposal by C. Shaler Smith for a cantilever design using stone towers designed by John A. Roebling (who designed the Brooklyn Bridge).

The bridge was erected using a cantilever design with a three-span continuous under-deck truss and was opened in 1877 on the Cincinnati Southern Railway. It was 275 feet (84 m) tall and 1,125 feet (343 m) long: the tallest bridge above a navigable waterway in North America and the tallest railroad bridge in the world until the early 20th century. Construction was completed using 3,654,280 pounds of iron at a total cost of $404,373.31. In 1879 President Rutherford B. Hayes and Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman attended the dedication.

After years of heavy railroad use, the bridge was rebuilt by Gustav Lindenthal in 1911. Lindenthal reinforced the foundations and rebuilt the bridge around the original structure. To keep railroad traffic flowing, the track deck was raised by 30 feet during construction and a temporary trestle was constructed. In 1929, an additional set of tracks was built to accommodate increased railroad traffic and the original limestone towers were removed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 160.

Norfolk Southern 3603 leads B231 northbound as it passes grain train G413 at Robards, Kentucky

Norfolk Southern 3603 leads B231 northbound as it passes grain train G413 at Robards, Kentucky, on April 20th, 2024, on the Henderson Subdivision. B231 is a loaded phosphate train that runs from Mulberry, FL to Bensenville, IL (CPKC). G413 is a loaded grain train that runs from Evansville, IN S&N Yard at Montgomery, AL.

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

June 15th, 2024 – Episode 76 – Saturday Edited Video from Jim Pearson Photography

This week we’re chasing trains on the CSX Chattanooga Subdivision and the Norfolk Southern CNO/TP Divisions (Rathole) over a period of 3 days! Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen, enjoy twelve trains! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching!

For more information on the Cowan Railroad Museum visit: http://www.cowanrailroadmuseum.org/

Norfolk Southern 168 passes 174 in the NS Yard at Burnside, Kentucky

Norfolk Southern 168 passes 174 in the NS Yard at Burnside, Kentucky during the golden hour as it heads north on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Second District on June 7th, 2024.

According to American-rails.com, It used to be called the Rathole Division when it was the Southern Railway and is often remembered as a road with relatively flat and tangent main lines due to the region in which it operated. However, the system did feature its share of steep, circuitous main lines such as Saluda Grade in western North Carolina and its famed “Rathole Division” through Kentucky and Tennessee that reached as far north as Cincinnati.

Technically, this stretch of the Southern main line was known as the 2nd District of subsidiary Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific (CNO&TP), which was plagued for years by numerous tunnels resulting in its famous nickname by the crews which operated over it.

Over the years the Southern worked to daylight or bypass these obstacles as the route saw significant freight tonnage, a task finally completed during the 1960s. Today, the Rathole remains an important artery in Norfolk Southern’s vast network.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/200, ISO 450.

Norfolk Southern New York Central Heritage unit 1066 leads NS 167 as it heads south at Keno cut…

Norfolk Southern New York Central Heritage unit 1066 leads NS 167 as it heads south at Keno cut on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Second District, south of Tateville, Kentucky, on June 7th, 2024.

This was my second trip to chase the Rathole and again didn’t make it all the way to Danville, Ky like I had planned as me and fellow railfan Ryan Scott (SteelRails) decided to go to High Bridge, Ky instead and then ran out of time shooting there! We’re already panning another trip to chase north from Danville.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, Sigma 150-600 @ 350mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 320.

Norfolk Southern 1145 leads 178 as they make their way north across the New River Bridge on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Second District at New River, Tennessee. On June 7th, 2024.

According to the Historic Bridges website: This bridge is a very large high level deck cantilever truss bridge. It was constructed in 1963 and as such is a late example of its type, but still noteworthy as an uncommon structure type and for its size. Typical of 1960s truss bridges, the bridge still has riveted built-up beams, but v-lacing and lattice are absent in the built-up beams, and truss connections are bolted instead of riveted. It is 1,622.0 Feet (494.4 Meters) long, with 3 Main Span(s) and 6 Approach Span(s) is over 300 feet above the river.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 130.

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

Norfolk Southern 1145 leads 279 as they make their way north across the New River Bridge, Ky

Norfolk Southern 1145 leads 279 as they make their way north across the New River Bridge on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Second District at New River, Tennessee. On June 7th, 2024.

According to the Historic Bridges website: This bridge is a very large high level deck cantilever truss bridge. It was constructed in 1963 and as such is a late example of its type, but still noteworthy as an uncommon structure type and for its size. Typical of 1960s truss bridges, the bridge still has riveted built-up beams, but v-lacing and lattice are absent in the built-up beams, and truss connections are bolted instead of riveted. It is 1,622.0 Feet (494.4 Meters) long, with 3 Main Span(s) and 6 Approach Span(s) is over 300 feet above the river.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 130.

Norfolk Southern intermodal 28C heads northbound across High Bridge on June 8th, 2024 at High Bridge, Ky

Norfolk Southern intermodal 28C heads northbound across High Bridge on June 8th, 2024, crossing the Kentucky River on the NS CNO&TP First District at Highbridge, Kentucky.

According to Wikipedia: The High Bridge is a railroad bridge crossing the Kentucky River Palisades, that rises approximately 275 feet from the river below and connects Jessamine and Mercer counties in Kentucky. Formally dedicated in 1879, it is the first cantilever bridge constructed in the United States. It has a three-span continuous under-deck truss used by Norfolk Southern Railway to carry trains between Lexington and Danville. It has been designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

In 1851, the Lexington & Danville Railroad, with Julius Adams as chief engineer, retained John A. Roebling to build a railroad suspension bridge across the Kentucky River for a line connecting Lexington and Danville, Kentucky west of the intersection of the Dix and Kentucky rivers. In 1855, the company ran out of money and the project was resumed by Cincinnati Southern Railroad in 1873 following a proposal by C. Shaler Smith for a cantilever design using stone towers designed by John A. Roebling (who designed the Brooklyn Bridge).

The bridge was erected using a cantilever design with a three-span continuous under-deck truss and was opened in 1877 on the Cincinnati Southern Railway. It was 275 feet (84 m) tall and 1,125 feet (343 m) long: the tallest bridge above a navigable waterway in North America and the tallest railroad bridge in the world until the early 20th century. Construction was completed using 3,654,280 pounds of iron at a total cost of $404,373.31. In 1879 President Rutherford B. Hayes and Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman attended the dedication.

After years of heavy railroad use, the bridge was rebuilt by Gustav Lindenthal in 1911. Lindenthal reinforced the foundations and rebuilt the bridge around the original structure. To keep railroad traffic flowing, the track deck was raised by 30 feet during construction and a temporary trestle was constructed. In 1929, an additional set of tracks was built to accommodate increased railroad traffic and the original limestone towers were removed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 160.

Norfolk Southern 9758 leads 29F as they make their way south across the New River Bridge at New River, TN

Norfolk Southern 9758 leads 29F as they make their way south across the New River Bridge on the NS CNO&TP (Rathole) Second District at New River, Tennessee. On June 7th, 2024.

According to the Historic Bridges website: This bridge is a very large high level deck cantilever truss bridge. It was constructed in 1963 and as such is a late example of its type, but still noteworthy as an uncommon structure type and for its size. Typical of 1960s truss bridges, the bridge still has riveted built-up beams, but v-lacing and lattice are absent in the built-up beams, and truss connections are bolted instead of riveted. It is 1,622.0 Feet (494.4 Meters) long, with 3 Main Span(s) and 6 Approach Span(s) is over 300 feet above the river.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.