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.

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

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.

CSXT 911 leads a northbound empty coke train on May 15th, 2022, as it passes over highway 61 at Suwanee, Kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway after dropping its load at Calvert City Terminal in Calvert City, KY. 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: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, Altitude 123ft, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSXT 911 leads a northbound empty coke train at Suwanee, Kentucky

CSXT 911 leads a northbound empty coke train on May 15th, 2022, as it passes over highway 61 at Suwanee, Kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway after dropping its load at Calvert City Terminal in Calvert City, KY.

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: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, Altitude 123ft, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville Railway 2118 heads up the morning local on January 28, 2009 as it waits for a MOW crew to arrive at Richland, Kentucky to remove an ice laden tree from the tracks during the 2009 Ice Storm, as people around the state woke to over 2” of ice covering most of Western Kentucky. This photo was made from the bottom of my driveway the morning of the ice storm, after I slowly made my way down the driveway to get the photo. At this time, I was still working for the Messenger Newspaper, and it ran on the front page as well on the Associated Press wire services. It was an interesting time and my home, which is on a hill to the right out of frame, was without power for about 10 days, till I was finally able to get a generator to power the house. Of course, a day later I got the power restored, but the generator has been used several times since then when we lost power! Tech Info: Nikon D300, JPG, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 1600.

Paducah and Louisville Railway 2118 heads up the morning local on January 28, 2009 during the ice storm

Paducah and Louisville Railway 2118 heads up the morning local on January 28, 2009 as it waits for a MOW crew to arrive at Richland, Kentucky to remove an ice laden tree from the tracks during the 2009 Ice Storm, as people around the state woke to over 2” of ice covering most of Western Kentucky.

This photo was made from the bottom of my driveway the morning of the ice storm, after I slowly made my way down the driveway to get the photo. At this time, I was still working for the Messenger Newspaper, and it ran on the front page as well on the Associated Press wire services.

It was an interesting time and my home, which is on a hill to the right out of frame, was without power for about 10 days, till I was finally able to get a generator to power the house. Of course, a day later I got the power restored, but the generator has been used several times since then when we lost power!

Tech Info: Nikon D300, JPG, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 1600.

Going Away shot - Looks can be deceiving as in this going away shot that looks like it is coming at us, as I caught Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal, and NS 8090 bringing up the rear of a loaded coal train on April 7th, 2022, as it headed north on the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Central City, Kentucky. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1500, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal northbound at Central City, Kentucky

Going Away shot – Looks can be deceiving as in this going away shot that looks like it is coming at us, as I caught Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal, and NS 8090 bringing up the rear of a loaded coal train on April 7th, 2022, as it headed north on the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Central City, Kentucky.

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

Paducah and Louisville's (PAL) University of Kentucky locomotives, 2012 and 4522 lead loaded Louisville Gas and Electric coal train as it works north on the Warrior lead, passing the CSX PeeVee Spur at Madisonville, Kentucky on March 30th, 2022. The two locomotives have been painted to commemorate the NCAA wins by the University of Kentucky and they’ve also got a couple painted for the University of Louisville’s wins as well in the system. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 200 #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

PAL University of Kentucky locomotives, 2012 and 4522 lead loaded coal train from Warrior Coal Mine, Madisonville, KY

Paducah and Louisville’s (PAL) University of Kentucky locomotives, 2012 and 4522 lead loaded Louisville Gas and Electric coal train as it works north on the Warrior lead, passing the CSX PeeVee Spur at Madisonville, Kentucky on March 30th, 2022.

The two locomotives have been painted to commemorate the NCAA wins by the University of Kentucky and they’ve also got a couple painted for the University of Louisville’s wins as well in the system.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 200

Paducah and Louisville Railway local Z464, with PAL 2109, 2110, 2111 and 2118, back into CSX Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Kentucky with what appears to be a newly rebuilt locomotive, CAGX 1039 (can't find any information on this leasing company) with Ardent Mills Markings trailing in the line of power on February 25th, 2022. From what I’ve been told by folks much smarter than me when it comes to locomotive power, it appears to be either a GP7 or GP9. If anyone has more information I'd appreciate you adding it to the comments! According to Wikipedia: Ardent Mills was born out of a long history of community mills coming together. We are an independent joint venture by combining ConAgra Mills and Horizon Milling® and we have over 150 years of rich milling history. Our history is tied to the legacies of the individual mills and facilities that form us, and we’re proud to look towards the future with an appreciation of the past. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railway local Z464, back into CSX Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, KY with CAGX 1039

Paducah and Louisville Railway local Z464, with PAL 2109, 2110, 2111 and 2118, back into CSX Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Kentucky with what appears to be a newly rebuilt locomotive, CAGX 1039 (can’t find any information on this leasing company) with Ardent Mills Markings trailing in the line of power on February 25th, 2022.

I’m told it is an ex CNW 1625…GP7. that was acquired by NRE on 3/28/2013 and the placard in the window lists it as NRE 501. Now it’s moving south as CAGX 1039 and headed to ADM in Tampa, Florida.

According to Wikipedia: Ardent Mills was born out of a long history of community mills coming together. We are an independent joint venture by combining ConAgra Mills™ and Horizon Milling® and we have over 150 years of rich milling history. Our history is tied to the legacies of the individual mills and facilities that form us, and we’re proud to look towards the future with an appreciation of the past.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 110.

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

The sun sets over the Paducah and Louisville Railway as the sun rakes across the ice-covered trees at Richland, Ky on February 5th, 2022, in this ultrawide angle shot from my DJI Air 2S drone. The recent weather front that passed through the region left a spectacular display of ice in the trees for several days. Thankfully it didn’t cause much disruption in my area, unlike the last ice storm through here that left me without power for 6 days in 2009! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 110, underexposed by 3 stops for the sun. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

The setting sun over the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Richland, Kentucky

The sun sets over the Paducah and Louisville Railway as the sun rakes across the ice-covered trees at Richland, Ky on February 5th, 2022, in this ultrawide angle shot from my DJI Air 2S drone.

The recent weather front that passed through the region left a spectacular display of ice in the trees for several days. Thankfully it didn’t cause much disruption in my area, unlike the last ice storm through here that left me without power for 6 days in 2009!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 110, underexposed by 3 stops for the sun.

Paducah and Louisville Railway's University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 bring up the rear of an empty Louisville Gas and Electric coal train, as it heads up the lead to the Warrior coal mine loop, outside of Madisonville, Ky on an icy December 3rd, 2022. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 140. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Paducah and Louisville Railway’s University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012

Paducah and Louisville Railway’s University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 bring up the rear of an empty Louisville Gas and Electric coal train, as it heads up the lead to the Warrior coal mine loop, outside of Madisonville, Ky on an icy February 3rd, 2022.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 140.

On a freezing cold afternoon CSX Z464, a Paducah and Louisville Railway, Louisville Gas and Electric coal train, waits on the PeeVee Spur as a CSX team works on clearing a downed tree in its path at Madisonville, Ky on February 3rd, 2022. After it was cut, the rest of the team man handled the cut piece off the track and the train continued its trip to Warrior Coal mine close to Nebo, Ky. The storm that moved across the country covered the trees with ice and this tree, along with many others throughout the path of the storm, fell due to the added weight of the ice. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 420mm, f/8, 1/400, ISO 2000. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

CSX crew clears track for Paducah and Louisville Railway due to fallen tree in Ice Storm at Madisonville, Ky

On a freezing cold afternoon CSX Z464, a Paducah and Louisville Railway, Louisville Gas and Electric coal train, waits on the PeeVee Spur as a CSX team works on clearing a downed tree in its path at Madisonville, Ky on February 3rd, 2022.

After it was cut, the rest of the team man handled the cut piece off the track and the train continued its trip to Warrior Coal mine close to Nebo, Ky. The storm that moved across the country covered the trees with ice and this tree, along with many others throughout the path of the storm, fell due to the added weight of the ice.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 420mm, f/8, 1/400, ISO 2000.