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.

I’m not sure, but I think there may have been a minor derailment on the Warrior Lead here in Madisonville in the last week. I’ve noticed that PAL traffic has been taking the CSX Morganfield branch out of the Warrior Coal Mine Loop and when I went by West Yards yesterday here in Madisonville, Ky, RJC was there getting ready to leave with some of their heavy equipment on flatbeds on February 2nd, 2022. When I drove back to the overpass over the lead and these crews were working on the tracks and what appeared to be a section where coal cars may have spilled. No cars or trains, however, are there now. I'm trying to figure out if they're just working on the lead or had a minor derailment. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 140mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 3200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

RJ Corman Crew cleans up after minor derailment on the Warrior Lead at Madisonville, KY

There was a minor derailment on the Warrior Lead here in Madisonville in the last week. I’ve noticed that PAL traffic has been taking the CSX Morganfield branch out of the Warrior Coal Mine Loop and when I went by West Yards yesterday here in Madisonville, Ky, RJC was there getting ready to leave with some of their heavy equipment on flatbeds on February 2nd, 2022.

When I drove back to the overpass over the lead and these crews were working on the tracks and a section where coal cars have spilled. No cars or trains, however, are there now.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 140mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 3200.

LORAM Railgrinder 401 grinds its way north on the Paducah and Louisville Railway on a beautiful fall afternoon as it crosses over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Arklow in Madisonville, Kentucky on November 15th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: A railgrinder (or rail grinder) is a maintenance of way vehicle or train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend its life and to improve the ride of trains using the track. Rail grinders were developed to increase the lifespan of the tracks being serviced for rail corrugation. Rail grinding is a process that is done to stop the deformation due to use and friction on railroad tracks by removing deformations and corrosion. Railroad tracks that experience continual use are more likely to experience corrugation and overall wear. Rail grinders are used to grind the tracks when rail corrugation is present, or before corrugation begins to form on the tracks. Major freight train tracks use rail grinders for track maintenance based on the interval of tonnage, rather than time. Transit systems and subways in major cities continue to use scheduled rail grinding processes to combat the corrugation common to heavily used tracks. Rail-grinding equipment may be mounted on a single self-propelled vehicle or on a dedicated rail-grinding train which, when used on an extensive network, may include crew quarters. The grinding wheels, of which there may be more than 100, are set at controlled angles to restore the track to its correct profile. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

LORAM Railgrinder 401 grinds its way north on the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Madisonville, KY

LORAM Railgrinder 401 grinds its way north on the Paducah and Louisville Railway on a beautiful fall afternoon as it crosses over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Arklow in Madisonville, Kentucky on November 15th, 2021.

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

Rail grinders are used to grind the tracks when rail corrugation is present, or before corrugation begins to form on the tracks. Major freight train tracks use rail grinders for track maintenance based on the interval of tonnage, rather than time. Transit systems and subways in major cities continue to use scheduled rail grinding processes to combat the corrugation common to heavily used tracks. Rail-grinding equipment may be mounted on a single self-propelled vehicle or on a dedicated rail-grinding train which, when used on an extensive network, may include crew quarters. The grinding wheels, of which there may be more than 100, are set at controlled angles to restore the track to its correct profile.

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

The DPU end of Paducah and Louisville Railway Louisville Gas and Electric loaded coal train brings up the rear as it heads north past Pond Rivers siding on October 25th, 2021, with the entire train in view from this drone viewpoint on a stormy fall afternoon, east of Madisonville, Ky. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville loaded coal northbound at Pond River, Madisonville, KY

The DPU end of Paducah and Louisville Railway Louisville Gas and Electric loaded coal train brings up the rear as it heads north past Pond Rivers siding on October 25th, 2021, with the entire train in view from this drone viewpoint on a stormy fall afternoon, east of Madisonville, Ky.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.

X marks the spot! I keep returning to this location known as Arklow, where the CSX Henderson Subdivision passes under the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Madisonville, KY, as someday I'll catch a train on both lines at the same time! It's just a matter of patience, determination, and a lot of luck! It hasn't happened yet, but it will! Here we find Paducah and Louisville Railway's (PAL) Louisville Gas and Electric loaded coal train as it heads north with PAL 2013, University of Louisville locomotive leading the way, on October 25th, 2021, passing over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Arklow, as the fall color begins to show in the trees. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railway LGE loaded coal train northbound at Monarch, Madisonville, KY

X marks the spot! I keep returning to this location known as Monarch, where the CSX Henderson Subdivision passes under the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Madisonville, KY, as someday I’ll catch a train on both lines at the same time! It’s just a matter of patience, determination, and a lot of luck! It hasn’t happened yet, but it will!

Here we find Paducah and Louisville Railway’s (PAL) Louisville Gas and Electric loaded coal train as it heads north with PAL 2013, University of Louisville locomotive leading the way, on October 25th, 2021, passing over the CSX Henderson Subdivision at Arklow, as the fall color begins to show in the trees.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville Railway 4518 leads a southbound load of coal over the Tradewater River at Dawson Springs, Kentucky, with a splash of fall color beginning to show in the surrounding trees. 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 of 1986. The 270-mile (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August 1986 and the 223-mile (359 km) main route runs between Paducah and Louisville, with branch lines from Paducah to Kevil and Mayfield, Kentucky, and another from Cecilia to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The PAL interchanges with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and Canadian National (CN), formerly Illinois Central Railroad, in Paducah Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railway 4518 heads south with a load of coal at Dawson Springs, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railway 4518 leads a southbound load of coal over the Tradewater River at Dawson Springs, Kentucky, with a splash of fall color beginning to show in the surrounding trees.

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 of 1986.

The 270-mile (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August 1986 and the 223-mile (359 km) main route runs between Paducah and Louisville, with branch lines from Paducah to Kevil and Mayfield, Kentucky, and another from Cecilia to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The PAL interchanges with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and Canadian National (CN), formerly Illinois Central Railroad, in Paducah

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4522 (UK paint scheme) roll across Interstate 69 at Madisonville, Kentucky as they head north with their loaded coal train, bound for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky on October 5th, 2021. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 120. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4522 LGE coal train Northbound at Madisonville, KY

Paducah and Louisville 4504 and 4522 (UK paint scheme) roll across Interstate 69 at Madisonville, Kentucky as they head north with their loaded coal train, bound for the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky on October 5th, 2021.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 120.

The daily Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local, led by CN 8887 and 5485 passes newly refurbished NB Southern 6401 at the north end of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard at Paducah, KY on June 29th, 2021, to do its interchange work. Locomotive 6401 was the first of six units that are being refurbished by Progress Rail for NBSR out of Saint John, NB, Canada. The other units are 6402-6406 and they are all SD70M-2 units. According to Wikipedia: The New Brunswick Southern Railway Company Limited (reporting mark NBSR) is a 131.7 mi (212.0 km) Canadian short line railway owned by the New Brunswick Railway Company Limited, a holding company that is part of "Irving Transportation Services", a division within the industrial conglomerate J.D. Irving Limited. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local arrives at Paducah, Kentucky

The daily Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local, led by CN 8887 and 5485 passes newly refurbished NB Southern 6401 at the north end of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard at Paducah, KY on June 29th, 2021, to do its interchange work.

Locomotive 6401 was the first of six units that are being refurbished by Progress Rail for NBSR out of Saint John, NB, Canada. The other units are 6402-6406 and they are all SD70M-2 units.

According to Wikipedia: The New Brunswick Southern Railway Company Limited (reporting mark NBSR) is a 131.7 mi (212.0 km) Canadian short line railway owned by the New Brunswick Railway Company Limited, a holding company that is part of “Irving Transportation Services”, a division within the industrial conglomerate J.D. Irving Limited.

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky Locomotive 4522 and PAL 4504 lead a northbound loaded Louisville Gas and Electric Coal train through a wetlands area as they depart on the Warrior Coal Mine lead, just west of Madisonville, Kentucky, on their way north to Louisville under partly cloudy summer skies. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110, September 13, 2021. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky Locomotive 4522 departs Warrior Coal

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky Locomotive 4522 and PAL 4504 lead a northbound loaded Louisville Gas and Electric Coal train through a wetlands area as they depart on the Warrior Coal Mine lead, just west of Madisonville, Kentucky, on their way north to Louisville under partly cloudy summer skies.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110, September 13, 2021.

I spent the afternoon of August 17th, 2021, chasing the Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 loaded coal train from Madisonville to Eastview, Kentucky. The latter was my goal for this chase as hadn’t photographed the cut at Eastview before and it has been on my list for a while. I got to the location about 10 minutes before the train and checked out the scene with my Nikon first as the cut is right up against the bridge on Meeting Creek Road and I wasn’t sure I wanted or even needed to use the drone at this location. After consideration I decided to launch the drone as I felt it could give me the best platform for a shot that would offer the best perspective that was different from other photos I’ve seen taken from here. With the drone in place, it was a short wait as I captured Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead the Louisville Gas & Electric loaded coal train as it started its way north through the cut at Eastview, Kentucky. Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 loaded coal train at Eastview, Kentucky

I spent the afternoon of August 17th, 2021, chasing the Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 loaded coal train from Madisonville to Eastview, Kentucky. The latter was my goal for this chase as hadn’t photographed the cut at Eastview before and it has been on my list for a while.

I got to the location about 10 minutes before the train and checked out the scene with my Nikon first as the cut is right up against the bridge on Meeting Creek Road and I wasn’t sure I wanted or even needed to use the drone at this location. After consideration I decided to launch the drone as I felt it could give me the best platform for a shot that would offer the best perspective that was different from other photos I’ve seen taken from here.

With the drone in place, it was a short wait as I captured Paducah and Louisville University of Kentucky locomotives 4522 and 2012 lead the Louisville Gas & Electric loaded coal train as it started its way north through the cut at Eastview, Kentucky.

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

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky Locomotive 4522 and PAL 4504 lead a northbound loaded Louisville Gas and Electric Coal train through a wetlands area as they depart on the Warrior Coal Mine lead, just west of Madisonville, Kentucky, on their way north to Louisville. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100, September 13, 2021. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville Railway LGE train departs Warrior Coal Mine at Madisonville, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky Locomotive 4522 and PAL 4504 lead a northbound loaded Louisville Gas and Electric Coal train through a wetlands area as they depart on the Warrior Coal Mine lead, just west of Madisonville, Kentucky, on their way north to Louisville.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100, September 13, 2021.

The Paducah and Louisville (PAL) 2101 and 2104 lead an empty rock train as they depart from the Scotty's Rock Yard complex at Madisonville, Kentucky, and head north to Litchfield, KY, for another load, on September 15th, 2021. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 130, September 13, 2021. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography

PAL Scotty’s Rock train departs Madisonville, KY

The Paducah and Louisville (PAL) 2101 and 2104 lead an empty rock train as they depart from the Scotty’s Rock Yard complex at Madisonville, Kentucky, and head north to Litchfield, KY, for another load, on September 15th, 2021.

The Paducah and Louisville (PAL) LGE coal train, with UK 4522 locomotive leading, pulls off the Warrior Coal Mine lead onto the PAL main as they approach West Yard at Madisonville, Ky. From here they begin their run to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130, September 13, 2021. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville LGE coal train at Madisonville, KY

The Paducah and Louisville (PAL) LGE coal train, with UK 4522 locomotive leading, pulls off the Warrior Coal Mine lead onto the PAL main as they approach West Yard at Madisonville, Ky. From here they begin their run to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant in the Kosmosdale neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130, September 13, 2021.

Hot off the drone we find Paducah and Louisville Railway 2013, in its University of Louisville paint, passing under the highway 70 west overpass as it leads PRX1, a loaded coal train, south through Richland, Kentucky, less than 30 minutes ago on September 11th, 2021. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 140, September 11, 2021. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography

Paducah and Louisville 2013 leads PRX1 South at Richland, KY

Hot off the drone we find Paducah and Louisville Railway 2013, in its University of Louisville paint, passing under the highway 70 west overpass as it leads PRX1, a loaded coal train, south through Richland, Kentucky, less than 30 minutes ago on September 11th, 2021.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 140, September 11, 2021.