Music City Star train 156 westbound to downtown Nashville, TN On March 19th, 2021 Nashville's Music City Star train #156 makes its reverse move, as it passes under the Shelby Bottoms bridge and rolls through a shaft of sunlight as it also passes the George Reyer Pumping Station on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. The Music City Star uses the Nashville and Eastern Railroad trackage that runs between Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee and is currently owned and operated by R.J. Corman. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1250, ISO 220.

Music City Star train 156 westbound to downtown Nashville, TN

On March 19th, 2021 Nashville’s Music City Star train #156 makes its reverse move, as it passes under the Shelby Bottoms bridge and rolls through a shaft of sunlight as it also passes the George Reyer Pumping Station on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Music City Star uses the Nashville and Eastern Railroad trackage that runs between Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee and is currently owned and operated by R.J. Corman.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1250, ISO 220.

August 29, 2020 - Amtrak 393 (The Illini) pulls into the old Illinois Central (IC) Depot in downtown Mattoon, Illinois with 4624 leading the Sunday evening southbound train from Chicago to Carbondale, Illinois as the last bit of sunlight lights up the scene. According to the Amtrak App the train was running out of Chicago at 44% capacity during this COVID-19 days. According to Wikipedia, The Mattoon station is housed in the former Illinois Central Railroad Depot. The depot was completed in 1918 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. At its height, the building housed a power plant, mail room, luggage room, and restaurant, in addition to the main hall where passengers waited to board trains. As many as ten trains a day departed the depot in the 1950s. During 2010, a $3 million restoration project, paid for from a mix of private, state, and federal funding, was undertaken, replacing paint, flooring, and other interior fixtures. The station currently serves as a stop for the Illini, Saluki, and City of New Orleans passenger trains. The tracks themselves, formerly part of the Illinois Central Railroad, are now owned by the Canadian National Railway (CN). Freight trains run by CN pass through frequently as this is on the CN Champaign Subdivision. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Fuji 18-55mm @ 18mm, f/8, 1/180, ISO 800.

Amtrak 393 pulls into the old Illinois Central Depot in downtown Mattoon, Illinois

August 29, 2020 – Amtrak 393 (The Illini) pulls into the old Illinois Central (IC) Depot in downtown Mattoon, Illinois with 4624 leading the Sunday evening southbound train from Chicago to Carbondale, Illinois as the last bit of sunlight lights up the scene. According to the Amtrak App the train was running out of Chicago at 44% capacity during this COVID-19 days.


According to Wikipedia, The Mattoon station is housed in the former Illinois Central Railroad Depot. The depot was completed in 1918 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. At its height, the building housed a power plant, mail room, luggage room, and restaurant, in addition to the main hall where passengers waited to board trains. As many as ten trains a day departed the depot in the 1950s.


During 2010, a $3 million restoration project, paid for from a mix of private, state, and federal funding, was undertaken, replacing paint, flooring, and other interior fixtures.

The station currently serves as a stop for the Illini, Saluki, and City of New Orleans passenger trains. The tracks themselves, formerly part of the Illinois Central Railroad, are now owned by the Canadian National Railway (CN). Freight trains run by CN pass through frequently as this is on the CN Champaign Subdivision.


Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Fuji 18-55mm @ 18mm, f/8, 1/180, ISO 800.

August 1, 2020 - Engine 465 leads a afternoon passenger train as it approaches the switch at milepost 74 as it heads for the Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway through one of many tunnels of trees. According to their website: The Indiana Railway Museum is a tourist railway located in French Lick, Indiana. The Museum was founded in 1961 in the town of Westport, Indiana where the railroad operated a tourist excursion, utilizing one small locomotive, three passenger cars, and about twenty volunteers. Ridership was estimated at about 500 passengers in 1962. The museum and railway remained in Westport until a move was necessitated in 1971. The organization relocated to Greensburg, Indiana where it operated until 1976 when it again, it changed locations. The Museum was relocated to French Lick in 1978 after an agreement with the Southern Railway Company. They deeded the Museum a total of sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden, Indiana, approximately one mile north of French Lick, to a small village named Dubois, to the south. The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway operating passenger trains over twenty-five miles of this track from French Lick to Jasper. Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 550mm, f/6.3, 1/500, ISO 450.

Engine 465 leads a afternoon passenger train…

August 1, 2020 – Engine 465 leads a afternoon passenger train as it approaches the switch at milepost 74 as it heads for the Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway through one of many tunnels of trees.

According to their website: The Indiana Railway Museum is a tourist railway located in French Lick, Indiana. The Museum was founded in 1961 in the town of Westport, Indiana where the railroad operated a tourist excursion, utilizing one small locomotive, three passenger cars, and about twenty volunteers. Ridership was estimated at about 500 passengers in 1962. The museum and railway remained in Westport until a move was necessitated in 1971. The organization relocated to Greensburg, Indiana where it operated until 1976 when it again, it changed locations. The Museum was relocated to French Lick in 1978 after an agreement with the Southern Railway Company. They deeded the Museum a total of sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden, Indiana, approximately one mile north of French Lick, to a small village named Dubois, to the south.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway operating passenger trains over twenty-five miles of this track from French Lick to Jasper.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 550mm, f/6.3, 1/500, ISO 450.

August 1, 2020 - French Lick Scenic Railway Engine 465 (GP-9) a EMD GP9 ex SP, with a Northern Pacific-inspired two tone green paint scheme, leads the afternoon passenger train as it passes the old Twin City Lumber Company at French Lick, Indiana on the old Southern Line. The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway passenger trains over twenty-five miles of track between French Lick and Jasper, Indiana on the old Monon and Southern tracks. Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 110.

French Lick Scenic Railway Engine 465 at French Lick, Indiana

August 1, 2020 – French Lick Scenic Railway Engine 465 (GP-9) a EMD GP9 ex SP, with a Northern Pacific-inspired two tone green paint scheme, leads the afternoon passenger train as it passes the old Twin City Lumber Company at French Lick, Indiana on the old Southern Line.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway passenger trains over twenty-five miles of track between French Lick and Jasper, Indiana on the old Monon and Southern tracks.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 110.

August 1, 2020 - Engine 465 (GP-9) leads the afternoon passenger train as it passes through the Indiana countryside on its way to Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway. The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway passenger trains over twenty-five miles of track between French Lick and Jasper, Indiana on the old Monon and Southern tracks. Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11, 1/500, ISO 280.

Engine 465 (GP-9) leads the afternoon passenger train…

August 1, 2020 – Engine 465 (GP-9) leads the afternoon passenger train as it passes through the Indiana countryside on its way to Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway passenger trains over twenty-five miles of track between French Lick and Jasper, Indiana on the old Monon and Southern tracks.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11, 1/500, ISO 280.

August 1, 2020 - Engine 465 leads the afternoon passenger train as it approaches the Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway under stormy skies. Despite the COVID19 restrictions the train had a good number of passengers on the train, all wearing masks and separated according the CDC guidelines. According to their website: The Indiana Railway Museum is a tourist railway located in French Lick, Indiana. The Museum was founded in 1961 in the town of Westport, Indiana where the railroad operated a tourist excursion, utilizing one small locomotive, three passenger cars, and about twenty volunteers. Ridership was estimated at about 500 passengers in 1962. The museum and railway remained in Westport until a move was necessitated in 1971. The organization relocated to Greensburg, Indiana where it operated until 1976 when it again, it changed locations. The Museum was relocated to French Lick in 1978 after an agreement with the Southern Railway Company. They deeded the Museum a total of sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden, Indiana, approximately one mile north of French Lick, to a small village named Dubois, to the south. The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway operating passenger trains over twenty-five miles of this track from French Lick to Jasper. Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11, 1/500, ISO 220.

French Lick Scenic Railway

August 1, 2020 – Engine 465 leads the afternoon passenger train as it approaches the Gradman Station on the French Lick Scenic Railway under stormy skies. Despite the COVID19 restrictions the train had a good number of passengers on the train, all wearing masks and separated according the CDC guidelines.

According to their website: The Indiana Railway Museum is a tourist railway located in French Lick, Indiana. The Museum was founded in 1961 in the town of Westport, Indiana where the railroad operated a tourist excursion, utilizing one small locomotive, three passenger cars, and about twenty volunteers. Ridership was estimated at about 500 passengers in 1962. The museum and railway remained in Westport until a move was necessitated in 1971. The organization relocated to Greensburg, Indiana where it operated until 1976 when it again, it changed locations. The Museum was relocated to French Lick in 1978 after an agreement with the Southern Railway Company. They deeded the Museum a total of sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden, Indiana, approximately one mile north of French Lick, to a small village named Dubois, to the south.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway operating passenger trains over twenty-five miles of this track from French Lick to Jasper.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11, 1/500, ISO 220.

July 31, 2004- Blast From The Past - A pair of E8s, with 5711 leading, in beautiful Pennsylvania RR maroon and gold paint pulled a private car passenger train between Philadelphia and Dennison, Ohio during the Dennison Railroad Museum's 2004 Railfest. Here it is just East of Morgan Run headed away from Dennison. The event was in cooperation with the Ohio Central Railroad, as the museum celebrated its 15th Anniversary. It was billed as the largest railroad heritage event of 2004. It ran from July 30 to August 1, 2004. Many of the locomotives featured during the event were owned by the Ohio Central Railroad. The Ohio Central at that time provided full-time freight railroad services and also offered passenger excursions powered by vintage equipment. Not sure if this is still the case or not.

A pair of E8s, with 5711 leading…

July 31, 2004- Blast From The Past – A pair of E8s, with 5711 leading, in beautiful Pennsylvania RR maroon and gold paint pulled a private car passenger train between Philadelphia and Dennison, Ohio during the Dennison Railroad Museum’s 2004 Railfest. Here it is just East of Morgan Run headed away from Dennison.

The event was in cooperation with the Ohio Central Railroad, as the museum celebrated its 15th Anniversary. It was billed as the largest railroad heritage event of 2004.

It ran from July 30 to August 1, 2004. Many of the locomotives featured during the event were owned by the Ohio Central Railroad. The Ohio Central at that time provided full-time freight railroad services and also offered passenger excursions powered by vintage equipment. Not sure if this is still the case or not.

March 30, 2020 - I stumbled across this image and several others on my old Mac G4 Laptop that I shot back in 2006 with my old Nikon D200 and thought I'd share a few of them. This one is from June 6, 2006 of BNSF 4419 leading a business train east bound through Sullivan's Curve just west of Cajon Junction in southern California, headed to Barstow, CA. From the Web we learn that “Sullivan's Curve is where the Union Pacific Palmdale Cutoff, and the BNSF mains 1 and 2 curve in a large horseshoe curve directly next to some large, rather impressive, rock formations. Promotional photos taken at this curve for the Santa Fe in the 1930’s through the 1950’s by photographer Herb Sullivan were fantastic, and made famous by their composition. The curve that he used so frequently was named in his honor, and rightfully so.”

BNSF 4419 leading a business train eastbound, Cajon Junction, CA

March 30, 2020 – I stumbled across this image and several others on my old Mac G4 Laptop that I shot back in 2006 with my old Nikon D200 and thought I’d share a few of them. This one is from June 6, 2006 of BNSF 4419 leading a business train east bound through Sullivan’s Curve just west of Cajon Junction in southern California, headed to Barstow, CA.

From the Web we learn that “Sullivan’s Curve is where the Union Pacific Palmdale Cutoff, and the BNSF mains 1 and 2 curve in a large horseshoe curve directly next to some large, rather impressive, rock formations. Promotional photos taken at this curve for the Santa Fe in the 1930’s through the 1950’s by photographer Herb Sullivan were fantastic, and made famous by their composition. The curve that he used so frequently was named in his honor, and rightfully so.”

February 20, 2020 - As one leaves a station and the other arrives, two Chicago Transit Authority trains make their way past each other on the downtown Chicago "L" loop in Chicago, Illinois.

Two Chicago Transit Authority trains…

February 20, 2020 – As one leaves a station and the other arrives, two Chicago Transit Authority trains make their way past each other on the downtown Chicago “L” loop in Chicago, Illinois.

February 19, 2020 - An southbound Metra train arrives at the Jefferson Park Metra Station with engine128 leading during the evening rush hour from downtown Chicago, Illinois as the golden light of the day begins to fade from the sky.

An southbound Metra train arrives at the Jefferson Park…

February 19, 2020 – An southbound Metra train arrives at the Jefferson Park Metra Station with engine 128 leading during the evening rush hour from downtown Chicago, Illinois as the golden light of the day begins to fade from the sky.

February 20, 2020 - Chicago Transit Authority brown line train 414 to Kimball makes its way on the downtown Chicago "L" loop as a green line train waits for a clear at CTA Tower 12 at the Van Buren & Wabash junction, as they head toward the Adams/Walbash Station in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Transit Authority brown line train 414…

February 20, 2020 – Chicago Transit Authority brown line train 414 to Kimball makes its way on the downtown Chicago “L” loop as a green line train waits for a clear at CTA Tower 12 at the Van Buren & Wabash junction, as they head toward the Adams/Walbash Station in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

February 20, 2020 - A Chicago Transit Authority Green Line train heads toward the loop in downtown Chicago, Illinois as the late afternoon light plays on the building behind it.

Chicago Transit Authority Green Line train…

February 20, 2020 – A Chicago Transit Authority Green Line train heads toward the loop in downtown Chicago, Illinois as the late afternoon light plays on the building behind it.

February 20, 2020 - A slightly different viewpoint of a Chicago Transit Authority Pink Line arriving at the State/Lake Street "L" station as it makes its way around the downtown loop in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Transit Authority Pink Line arriving at…

February 20, 2020 – A slightly different viewpoint of a Chicago Transit Authority Pink Line arriving at the State/Lake Street “L” station as it makes its way around the downtown loop in Chicago, Illinois.

February 20, 2020 - The motorman on the 712 to Midway navigates his train set through the canyons of downtown Chicago, Illinois as it makes its way around the loop on another day of moving people.

The motorman on the 712 to Midway…

February 20, 2020 – The motorman on the 712 to Midway navigates his train set through the canyons of downtown Chicago, Illinois as it makes its way around the loop on another day of moving people.