Norfolk Southern 9629 leads an intermodal train as they chase the sun west past the Alto Tower next to the 17th Street overpass at Altoona, Pennsylvania as they head west on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line on November 3rd, 2021. Alto tower went vacant for the first time in over 97 years back on June 16th, 2012 when signal crews shifted the authority from the Alto control operator to a NS train dispatcher, according to a NEWSWIRE report by TRAINS Magazine. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/40, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern 9629 leads an intermodal train west past Alto Tower, Altoona, PA

Norfolk Southern 9629 leads an intermodal train as they chase the sun west past the Alto Tower next to the 17th Street overpass at Altoona, Pennsylvania as they head west on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line on November 3rd, 2021.

Alto tower went vacant for the first time in over 97 years back on June 16th, 2012 when signal crews shifted the authority from the Alto control operator to a NS train dispatcher, according to a NEWSWIRE report by TRAINS Magazine.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/40, ISO 110.

Locomotives galore sit outside the Norfolk Southern Juniata Locomotive Shops in downtown Altoona, Pennsylvania in this birds-eye view on November 3rd, 2021. The shops are just part of the large complex called Altoona Works, or Altoona Terminal on the NS Roanoke District. According to Wikipedia: Altoona Works (also known as Altoona Terminal) is a large railroad industrial complex in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It was built between 1850 and 1925 by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) to supply the railroad with locomotives, railroad cars and related equipment. For many years it was the largest railroad shop complex in the world. From the NS Website: At our Juniata locomotive shop in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Norfolk Southern regularly recycles locomotives into more efficient machines, benefiting both customers and the environment. We can strip a locomotive down to the bare frame and completely rebuild it, including the engine, alternator, wiring, cab, trucks, combos and running gear—all in 6.5 days. NS also operates our own indoor locomotive emissions-testing facility, unique among railroads, which allows us to test locomotives year-round to increase fuel efficiency and meet EPA regulations. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/120, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern Juniata Locomotive Shops in downtown Altoona, Pennsylvania

Locomotives galore sit outside the Norfolk Southern Juniata Locomotive Shops in downtown Altoona, Pennsylvania in this birds-eye view on November 3rd, 2021. The shops are just part of the large complex called Altoona Works, or Altoona Terminal.

According to Wikipedia: Altoona Works (also known as Altoona Terminal) is a large railroad industrial complex in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It was built between 1850 and 1925 by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) to supply the railroad with locomotives, railroad cars and related equipment. For many years it was the largest railroad shop complex in the world.

From the NS Website: At our Juniata locomotive shop in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Norfolk Southern regularly recycles locomotives into more efficient machines, benefiting both customers and the environment. We can strip a locomotive down to the bare frame and completely rebuild it, including the engine, alternator, wiring, cab, trucks, combos and running gear—all in 6.5 days.

NS also operates our own indoor locomotive emissions-testing facility, unique among railroads, which allows us to test locomotives year-round to increase fuel efficiency and meet EPA regulations.

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

Norfolk Southern 4041 leads an intermodal through Horseshoe Curve at Altoona, Pennsylvania as it heads west on the NS Pittsburgh Line on a beautiful fall afternoon, on September 3rd, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Horseshoe Curve is a three-track (though originally four) railroad curve on Norfolk Southern Railway's Pittsburgh Line in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The curve itself is about 2,375 feet long and 1,300 feet in diameter; it was completed in 1854 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a way to lessen the grade to the summit of the Allegheny Mountains. It eventually replaced the time-consuming Allegheny Portage Railroad, the only other route across the mountains for large vehicles. Because of the Allegheny Mountains geoform, in and around Altoona - and almost perfectly at "The Curve" - westbound traffic goes south and eastbound traffic goes north. So, in terms of final destination, the southern side of "The Curve" is where trains leave to go west, and vice versa. The rail line has been important since its opening, and during World War II the Curve was targeted by Nazi Germany in 1942 as part of Operation Pastorius. The Curve was later owned and used by Pennsylvania Railroad successors Penn Central, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern. Horseshoe Curve was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, and it became a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2004. Horseshoe Curve has long been a tourist attraction; a trackside observation park was completed in 1879. The Park was renovated and a visitor center built in the early 1990s. The Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona manages the center, which has exhibits pertaining to the curve. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100 -1 stop.

Norfolk Southern 4041 leads an intermodal through Horseshoe Curve at Altoona, Pennsylvania

Norfolk Southern 4041 leads an intermodal through Horseshoe Curve at Altoona, Pennsylvania as it heads west on the NS Pittsburgh Line on a beautiful fall afternoon, on November 3rd, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: Horseshoe Curve is a three-track (though originally four) railroad curve on Norfolk Southern Railway’s Pittsburgh Line in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The curve itself is about 2,375 feet long and 1,300 feet in diameter; it was completed in 1854 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a way to lessen the grade to the summit of the Allegheny Mountains. It eventually replaced the time-consuming Allegheny Portage Railroad, the only other route across the mountains for large vehicles. Because of the Allegheny Mountains geoform, in and around Altoona – and almost perfectly at “The Curve” – westbound traffic goes south and eastbound traffic goes north. So, in terms of final destination, the southern side of “The Curve” is where trains leave to go west, and vice versa.

The rail line has been important since its opening, and during World War II the Curve was targeted by Nazi Germany in 1942 as part of Operation Pastorius. The Curve was later owned and used by Pennsylvania Railroad successors Penn Central, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern. Horseshoe Curve was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, and it became a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2004.

Horseshoe Curve has long been a tourist attraction; a trackside observation park was completed in 1879. The Park was renovated and a visitor center built in the early 1990s. The Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona manages the center, which has exhibits pertaining to the curve.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100 -1 stop.

Fellow railfans Cooper Smith, Ryan Scott and I spent about 5 hours railfanning southern Indiana on October 9th, 2021, were we caught 5 different railroads operating in the area! We caught RJ Corman, Canadian Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Indiana Southern and Ryan caught BNSF for his sixth railroad after we parted company. A great day of railfanning! Here we find Norfolk Southern 167 as it begins its slow roll at East Douglas as it departs from Princeton, Indiana on the NS Southern West District, through the partially harvested farm fields. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern 167 heads east out of Princeton, Indiana with a mixed freight train

Fellow railfans Cooper Smith, Ryan Scott and I spent about 5 hours railfanning southern Indiana on October 9th, 2021, were we caught 5 different railroads operating in the area! We caught RJ Corman, Canadian Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Indiana Southern and Ryan caught BNSF for his sixth railroad after we parted company. A great day of railfanning!

Here we find Norfolk Southern 167 as it begins its slow roll at East Douglas as it departs from Princeton, Indiana on the NS Southern West District, through the partially harvested farm fields.

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

NS 148 passes the past, at Harristown, Illinois Norfolk Southern train 148 heads east past Illinois Terminal Railroad sleeper car 535 as it sits next to the Illinois Terminal Company Train Station in Harristown, Illinois on the NS Southern West District on July 21st. 2021. A web search shows the car was built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1911 as an Interurban trailer car and was renovated into a sleeper in 1930 where it operated as a sleeper until 1941. The station was built in 1910 and currently houses Sanders Harristown Depot Antiques. According to Wikipedia: The Illinois Terminal Railroad Company (reporting marks "ITC"), known as the Illinois Traction System until 1937, was a heavy duty interurban electric railroad with extensive passenger and freight business in central and southern Illinois from 1896 to 1956. When Depression era Illinois Traction was in financial distress and had to reorganize, the Illinois Terminal name was adopted to reflect the line's primary money-making role as a freight interchange link to major steam railroads at its terminal ends, Peoria, Danville, and St. Louis. Interurban passenger service slowly was reduced, ending in 1956. Freight operation continued but was hobbled by tight street running in some towns requiring very sharp radius turns. In 1956, ITC was absorbed by a consortium of connecting railroads. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 110.

NS 148 passes the past, at Harristown, Illinois

Norfolk Southern train 148 heads east past Illinois Terminal Railroad sleeper car 535 as it sits next to the Illinois Terminal Company Train Station in Harristown, Illinois on the NS Springfield-Hannibal District on July 21st. 2021.

A web search shows the car was built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1911 as an Interurban trailer car and was renovated into a sleeper in 1930 where it operated as a sleeper until 1941. The station was built in 1910 and currently houses Sanders Harristown Depot Antiques.

According to Wikipedia: The Illinois Terminal Railroad Company (reporting marks “ITC”), known as the Illinois Traction System until 1937, was a heavy duty interurban electric railroad with extensive passenger and freight business in central and southern Illinois from 1896 to 1956.

When Depression era Illinois Traction was in financial distress and had to reorganize, the Illinois Terminal name was adopted to reflect the line’s primary money-making role as a freight interchange link to major steam railroads at its terminal ends, Peoria, Danville, and St. Louis. Interurban passenger service slowly was reduced, ending in 1956.

Freight operation continued but was hobbled by tight street running in some towns requiring very sharp radius turns. In 1956, ITC was absorbed by a consortium of connecting railroads.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 110.

July 23, 2021 – BNSF local with EMRY 6403 at West Paducah, Ky and NS 110 at Mount Vernon, IL.

July 23, 2021 – Newly refurbished Eastern Maine Railway (EMRY) 6403, Owned by the New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR), trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it pulls north at Chiles Junction in West Paducah, Kentucky with BNSF 7901 and 6147 leading the way. Then we catch Norfolk Southern 110 as it heads north across the Union Pacific Diamond at Mount Vernon, Illinois on the NS Southern West District on the same day.

#trainvideo #railroadvideo #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography

Tech Info: Shot on an iPhone 11pro and edited using Adobe Premiere Pro.

NS 148 arrives at Decatur, Illinois as it passes the old Wabash Station Running elephant style, NS 9524, 3630, 1078 and 9598 lead train 148 (Avondale Yard - Kansas City, MO to East Yard - Decatur IL) as it passes the old Wabash Station on July 21st, 2021 on the NS Brooklyn District, as it arrives at Decatur, Illinois and approaches the Wabash/IC Crossover, before entering the yard, finishing its daily run. According to Wikipedia: The Decatur station, also known as the Wabash Railroad Station and Railway Express Agency, is a historic railway station located at 780 East Cerro Gordo Street in Decatur, Illinois. Built in 1901, the station served trains on the Wabash Railroad, the most economically significant railroad through Decatur. Architect Theodore Link designed the Classical Revival building. Amtrak discontinued service to the station in the 1983, and it has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Restored in 2002, it is now houses the Wabash Depot Antique Mall and sits close to the WABIC (Wabash - Illinois Central) railroad crossover. During its peak in 1907 there were 72 daily passenger trains, today, there are none that stop here. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

NS 148 arrives at Decatur, Illinois as it passes the old Wabash Station

Running elephant style, NS 9524, 3630, 1078 and 9598 lead train 148 (Avondale Yard – Kansas City, MO to East Yard – Decatur IL) as it passes the old Wabash Station on July 21st, 2021 on the NS Brooklyn District, as it arrives at Decatur, Illinois and approaches the Wabash/IC Crossover, before entering the yard, finishing its daily run.

According to Wikipedia: The Decatur station, also known as the Wabash Railroad Station and Railway Express Agency, is a historic railway station located at 780 East Cerro Gordo Street in Decatur, Illinois. Built in 1901, the station served trains on the Wabash Railroad, the most economically significant railroad through Decatur. Architect Theodore Link designed the Classical Revival building. Amtrak discontinued service to the station in the 1983, and it has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Restored in 2002, it is now houses the Wabash Depot Antique Mall and sits close to the WABIC (Wabash – Illinois Central) railroad crossover. During its peak in 1907 there were 72 daily passenger trains, today, there are none that stop here.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern meet at Winslow, Indiana Norfolk Southern 77J, a loaded Duke Energy coal train pulls west from the Charger mine at the HBD-DED Ayrshire just outside Winslow, Indiana as NS 224, a daily Louisville to St. Louis train, waits on the NS Southern East-West District main for it to clear Hatfield Junction on May 1st, 2021. The lash-up on 224 is Norfolk Southern NS 4096 GE AC44C6M DC to AC Rebuilt (C40-9), NS 1844 EMD SD70ACU DC to AC Rebuilt (SD70), and NS 1068 EMD SD70ACe Erie Heritage Unit and runs daily from Louisville to St. Louis. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern meet at Winslow, IN

A loaded Norfolk Southern Duke Energy coal train pulls west from the Charger mine at the HBD-DED Ayrshire just outside Winslow, Indiana as NS 224, a daily Louisville to St. Louis train, waits on the NS Southern East-West District main for it to clear Hatfield Junction on May 1st, 2021.

The lash-up on 224 is Norfolk Southern NS 4096 GE AC44C6M DC to AC Rebuilt (C40-9), NS 1844 EMD SD70ACU DC to AC Rebuilt (SD70), and NS 1068 EMD SD70ACe Erie Heritage Unit and runs daily from Louisville to St. Louis.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern 4334 and 4433 Southbound at Monarch, Madisonville, Ky Thanks to a heads up from good friend Bill Grady I found out this southbound NS empty coal train was coming out of Louisville, Ky and heading down the Paducah and Louisville Railway to pickup a load of coal from Warrior Coal at Madisonville, Ky. It left Louisville around midnight and I wasn't sure if I'd catch it on its way to the loadout, but I was fortunate enough to catch it passing over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Monarch in Madisonville, Ky on April 20th, 2021. I was surprised to see it arrive with a single unit leading the train and the two units on the rear acting as DPUs. They do this from time to time when the train is empty and after it loads, what was the DPUs on the Southbound run become the lead units when it heads back north. One of these days I'll catch a scene here with trains on both tracks! I'm still working on it! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern 4334 and 4433 Southbound at Monarch, Madisonville, Ky

Thanks to a heads up from good friend Bill Grady I found out this southbound NS empty coal train was coming out of Louisville, Ky and heading down the Paducah and Louisville Railway to pickup a load of coal from Warrior Coal at Madisonville, Ky.

It left Louisville around midnight and I wasn’t sure if I’d catch it on its way to the loadout, but I was fortunate enough to catch it passing over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Monarch in Madisonville, Ky on April 20th, 2021.

I was surprised to see it arrive with a single unit leading the train and the two units on the rear acting as DPUs. They do this from time to time when the train is empty and after it loads, what was the DPUs on the Southbound run become the lead units when it heads back north.

One of these days I’ll catch a scene here with trains on both tracks! I’m still working on it!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

NS 224 WB meets NS 167 WB at East Junction, Princeton, Indiana Norfolk Southern Intermodal NS 224 heads east as it passes westbound NS 167 at East Junction as the two trains meet in Princeton, Indiana on April 21st, 2021 on the NS Southern East/West District. BUGX 1752, a former Canadian National FP9A unit, which was recently sold by Pioneer RailCorp affiliate Keokuk Junction Railway, trails as the last of 7 units 167 after it worked at the Princeton Yard, dropping off and picking up. BUGX 1752 was on the final leg of its journey to a new home at the Ohio River Scenic Railway in Tell City, Indiana, where it will power their tourist line trains that run through Perry and Spencer Counties in southern Indiana and I'm told that its first revenue run on the tourist line will be on April 24th, 2021 at 1pm. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 100.

NS 224 WB meets NS 167 EB at East Junction, Princeton, Indiana

Norfolk Southern Intermodal NS 224 heads west as it passes eastbound NS 167 at East Junction as the two trains meet in Princeton, Indiana on April 21st, 2021 on the NS Southern East/West District.

BUGX 1752, a former Canadian National FP9A unit, which was recently sold by Pioneer RailCorp affiliate Keokuk Junction Railway, trails as the last of 7 units 167 after it worked at the Princeton Yard, dropping off and picking up.

BUGX 1752 was on the final leg of its journey to a new home at the Ohio River Scenic Railway in Tell City, Indiana, where it will power their tourist line trains that run through Perry and Spencer Counties in southern Indiana and I’m told that its first revenue run on the tourist line will be on April 24th, 2021 at 1pm.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 100.

BUGX on the move! BUGX 1752, a former Canadian National FP9A unit, which was recently sold by Pioneer RailCorp affiliate Keokuk Junction Railway, trails as the last unit on Norfolk Southern Railways train 167 as it sits at "Smoot" just west of Princeton, Indiana on April 21st, 2021, waiting to meet two eastbound trains on the NS Southern East/West District. The unit was on the final leg of its journey to a new home at the Ohio Scenic Railway in Tell City, Indiana, where it will power their tourist line trains that runs through Perry and Spencer Counties in southern Indiana. This was without a doubt the longest and shortest chase I've done in a long time! I started from my home in Richland, KY to travel to Princeton, IN to meet up with fellow railfan Ryan Scott to catch this train. Well, after the 1.5hr drive and hoping I hadn't missed it, I finally linked up with Ryan, who had been sitting a couple hours west of Princeton, waiting to catch it also! Well, needless to say, we were worried that we'd missed it somehow as it was last reported around Centralia, IL at 8am and the trip to Princeton normally takes a couple hours and by the time I linked up with Ryan it had been close to 4! Ryan jumped in with me (I like to drive) and we decided to head west looking for the train and low and behold, we found it in the siding at Smoot, just west of town! Well, it sat there for two west bounds before it headed into the yard for a crew change at Ohio Street. After the crew change, they had to do their work, where they dropped off one engine, picked up three more and then two exceptionally long stings of cars! Needless to say, it was 6pm before they finished their work, moved to East Junction where they where they had to wait for two more west bounds!! A total of 6 hours to move about 6 miles, but finally they made their way out of town to Huntingburg where they dropped of the FP9A unit for a local to take it to Tell City. Some days railfanning is like this! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

BUGX on the move!

BUGX 1752, a former Canadian National FP9A unit, which was recently sold by Pioneer RailCorp affiliate Keokuk Junction Railway, trails as the last unit on Norfolk Southern Railways train 167 as it sits at “Smoot” just west of Princeton, Indiana on April 21st, 2021, waiting to meet two eastbound trains on the NS Southern East/West District.

The unit was on the final leg of its journey to a new home at the Ohio River Scenic Railway in Tell City, Indiana, where it will power their tourist line trains that runs through Perry and Spencer Counties in southern Indiana.

This was without a doubt the longest and shortest chase I’ve done in a long time!

I started from my home in Richland, KY to travel to Princeton, IN to meet up with fellow railfan Ryan Scott to catch this train. Well, after the 1.5hr drive and hoping I hadn’t missed it, I finally linked up with Ryan, who had been sitting a couple hours west of Princeton, waiting to catch it also!

Well, needless to say, we were worried that we’d missed it somehow as it was last reported around Centralia, IL at 8am and the trip to Princeton normally takes a couple hours and by the time I linked up with Ryan it had been close to 4!

Ryan jumped in with me (I like to drive) and we decided to head west looking for the train and low and behold, we found it in the siding at Smoot, just west of town!

Well, it sat there for two west bounds before it headed into the yard for a crew change at Ohio Street. After the crew change, they had to do their work, where they dropped off one engine, picked up three more and then two exceptionally long stings of cars! Needless to say, it was 6pm before they finished their work, moved to East Junction where they where they had to wait for two more west bounds!! A total of 6 hours to move about 6 miles, but finally they made their way out of town to Huntingburg where they dropped of the FP9A unit for a local to take it to Tell City. Some days railfanning is like this!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

NS 8173 leads loaded coal train across the Wabash River I was about 14 degrees, with an even colder wind chill, as Norfolk Southern 8173 crossed over the Wabash River coming into Mt. Carmel, Illinois with load of coal for the Gibson Generating Station (Duke Energy) on February 13th, 2021 on the NS Southern West District. Today was probably the coldest day I've flown my DJI Air 2 since I bought it last year and it handled the weather just fine. I did seem to notice that the flight time on the battery was less, but I expected that to be the case. Also, the gray color of the drone against the gray snowy skies is a little harder to keep track of in the air, but not flying it too far from my position helped! Any of my drone friends ever use any of the orange props? If so does it help with visibility? What other things do you do to help with visibility? Strobe lights? If so, what do you recommend? Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

NS 8173 leads loaded coal train across the Wabash River

I was about 14 degrees, with an even colder wind chill, as Norfolk Southern 8173 crossed over the Wabash River coming into Mt. Carmel, Illinois with load of coal for the Gibson Generating Station (Duke Energy) on February 13th, 2021 on the NS Southern West District.

Today was probably the coldest day I’ve flown my DJI Air 2 since I bought it last year and it handled the weather just fine. I did seem to notice that the flight time on the battery was less, but I expected that to be the case. Also, the gray color of the drone against the gray snowy skies is a little harder to keep track of in the air, but not flying it too far from my position helped!

Any of my drone friends ever use any of the orange props? If so does it help with visibility? What other things do you do to help with visibility? Strobe lights? If so, what do you recommend?

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

NS 7586 takes a Roller Coaster ride at Hatfield Junction One of my favorite things to photograph on the railroad with my long lens is places where the lay of and comes into full view with the long end of my zoom and Hatfield Junction is one such place! Here we see NS 167, led by NS 7586, on January 28th, 2021 as it starts it's climb back up hill as it takes a roller coaster ride coming east out of Hatfield Junction, just east of Oakland City, Indiana on the Southern East District. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @460mm f/6, 1/1600, ISO 800.

NS 7586 takes a Roller Coaster ride at Hatfield Junction

One of my favorite things to photograph on the railroad with my long lens is places where the lay of and comes into full view with the long end of my zoom and Hatfield Junction is one such place!

Here we see NS 167, led by NS 7586, on January 28th, 2021 as it starts it’s climb back up hill as it takes a roller coaster ride coming east out of Hatfield Junction, just east of Oakland City, Indiana on the Southern East District.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @460mm f/6, 1/1600, ISO 800.

Norfolk Southern Sonic Bonnets at Ramsey, Indiana With a winter wonderland scene and warm evening light we find Norfolk Southern 4004 and 1800, the Black and Yellow "Sonic Bonnets" leading empty autorack train 124 as they make their way west at Ramsey, Indiana on the NS Southern-East District on January 28th, 2021. I passed this spot when I was on my way to setup for this same train as it passed through the cut at Tunnel Hill Road, about 4 miles to the east of this crossing. I loved the look of the snow on the trees and was hoping I'd be able to make it the four miles back to this spot before the train got there, after catching it at the cut. Well, needless to say I made it, but probably not more than 10 seconds to spare. Enough time to grab the D800 with my 10-20mm lens, step into position and fire off a burst of about 5 shots before the lead unit was through the crossing. This is my favorite! Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm DX lens @15mm f/4, 1/640, ISO 320.

Norfolk Southern Sonic Bonnets at Ramsey, Indiana

With a winter wonderland scene and warm evening light we find Norfolk Southern 4004 and 1800, the Black and Yellow “Sonic Bonnets” leading empty autorack train 124 as they make their way west at Ramsey, Indiana on the NS Southern-East District on January 28th, 2021.

I passed this spot when I was on my way to setup for this same train as it passed through the cut at Tunnel Hill Road, about 4 miles to the east of this crossing. I loved the look of the snow on the trees and was hoping I’d be able to make it the four miles back to this spot before the train got there, after catching it at the cut.

Well, needless to say I made it, but probably not more than 10 seconds to spare. Enough time to grab the D800 with my 10-20mm lens, step into position and fire off a burst of about 5 shots before the lead unit was through the crossing. This is my favorite!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm DX lens @15mm f/4, 1/640, ISO 320.

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Norfolk Southern Sonic Bonnets at Taswell, Indiana Norfolk Southern 1800 the Yellow Sonic Bonnets trails behind the black 4004 version, as they lead NS empty autorack train 124 west as they slowly pull into the siding at Taswell, Indiana to meet eastbound NS 168, on the NS Southern-East District on January 28th, 2021 at dusk. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 200.

Norfolk Southern Sonic Bonnets at Taswell, Indiana

Norfolk Southern 1800 the Yellow Sonic Bonnets trails behind the black 4004 version, as they lead NS empty autorack train 124 west as they slowly pull into the siding at Taswell, Indiana to meet eastbound NS 168, on the NS Southern-East District on January 28th, 2021 at dusk.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 200.

Click Here to Buy A Print Today!

Norfolk Southern Sonic Bonnets at Taswell, Indiana Norfolk Southern 4004 and 1800, the Black and Yellow "Sonic Bonnets" lead NS empty autorack train 124 west as they slowly pull through the siding at Taswell, Indiana to meet eastbound NS 168, on the NS Southern-East District on January 28th, 2021. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 200.

Norfolk Southern Sonic Bonnets at Taswell, Indiana

Norfolk Southern 4004 and 1800, the Black and Yellow “Sonic Bonnets” lead NS empty autorack train 124 west as they slowly pull through the siding at Taswell, Indiana to meet eastbound NS 168, on the NS Southern-East District on January 28th, 2021.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 200.

Norfolk Southern Sonic Bonnets on the move Norfolk Southern 4004 and 1800, the Black and Yellow "Sonic Bonnets" lead NS empty autorack train 124 west as they chase the setting sun through the cut at Tunnel Hill Road, just west of Ramsey, Indiana as the light snowfall from the day before provides a nice dusting for this peaceful winter scene on the NS Southern-East District. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 100.

Norfolk Southern Sonic Bonnets on the move

Norfolk Southern 4004 and 1800, the Black and Yellow “Sonic Bonnets” lead NS empty autorack train 124 west as they chase the setting sun through the cut at Tunnel Hill Road, just west of Ramsey, Indiana as the light snowfall from the day before provides a nice dusting for this peaceful winter scene on the NS Southern-East District on January 28, 2021.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 100.

Eastbound NS freight at Lyles Station, Indiana A Norfolk Southern mixed freight passes the Consolidation Grain and Barge Company complex at Lyles Station, as it heads east toward Princeton, Indiana. According to Wikipedia: "Lyles Station is an unincorporated community in Patoka Township, Gibson County, Indiana. The community dates from 1849, although its early settlers first arrived in the 1830s, and it was formally named Lyles Station in 1886 to honor Joshua Lyles, a free African American who migrated with his family from Tennessee to Indiana around 1837. Lyles Station is one of Indiana's early black rural settlements and the only one remaining. The rural settlement reached its peak in the years between 1880 and 1912, when major structures in the community included the railroad depot, a post office, a lumber mill, two general stores, two churches, and a school. By the turn of the twentieth century, Lyles Station had fifty-five homes, with a population of more than 800 people. The farming community never fully recovered from the Great Flood of 1913, which destroyed much of the town. Most of its residents left for economic reasons, seeking opportunities for higher paying jobs and additional education in larger cities. By 1997 approximately fifteen families remained at Lyles Station, nearly all of them descended from the original settlers." Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

Eastbound NS freight at Lyles Station, Indiana

A Norfolk Southern mixed freight passes the Consolidation Grain and Barge Company complex at Lyles Station, as it heads east toward Princeton, Indiana.

According to Wikipedia: “Lyles Station is an unincorporated community in Patoka Township, Gibson County, Indiana. The community dates from 1849, although its early settlers first arrived in the 1830s, and it was formally named Lyles Station in 1886 to honor Joshua Lyles, a free African American who migrated with his family from Tennessee to Indiana around 1837.

Lyles Station is one of Indiana’s early black rural settlements and the only one remaining. The rural settlement reached its peak in the years between 1880 and 1912, when major structures in the community included the railroad depot, a post office, a lumber mill, two general stores, two churches, and a school. By the turn of the twentieth century, Lyles Station had fifty-five homes, with a population of more than 800 people.

The farming community never fully recovered from the Great Flood of 1913, which destroyed much of the town. Most of its residents left for economic reasons, seeking opportunities for higher paying jobs and additional education in larger cities. By 1997 approximately fifteen families remained at Lyles Station, nearly all of them descended from the original settlers.”

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.