Paducah and Louisville Railway PRX1 at Calvert City, Kentucky

Paducah and Louisville Railway 3811, 4504 and 4516 lead loaded coal train PRX1 around the outer loop at the Calvert City Terminal in Calvert City, Kentucky on July 23, 2021, after picking up a load of coal for the TVA Shawnee Power Plant in West Paducah, KY.

According to Wikipedia: "The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) 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 (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August 1986. 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. In Madisonville, the line interchanges with CSX Transportation (CSXT).

In Louisville, the line interchanges with the Indiana Railroad (INRD), CSX Transportation (CSXT) and Norfolk Southern (NS). Class III line connections are at Princeton with the Fredonia Valley Railroad (FVRR) and at Louisville with the Louisville and Indiana Railroad (LIRC). The line today carries over 200,000 carloads of traffic on a CTC-controlled mainline with welded rail and even a section of multiple main tracks nearly 20 miles (32 km) long between Paducah and just east of Calvert City. This is a huge improvement from the little amount of traffic and poor condition the line was in by the time the ICG had sold it.

Today it is a big regional class II railroad connecting with four class I railroads (listed above), as well as the three shortline connections it makes which are also listed above. It has 270 route-miles of track, of which 233 miles (375 km) are its mainline running between its namesake towns of Paducah and Louisville, as well as branch lines to Mayfield, Kevil, and Elizabethtown. The railroad serves "many chemical plants and other manufacturing companies, several coal mines, numerous clay and stone quarries, lumber and propane distributors, farm [including a few large grain elevators] and mine equipment suppliers, warehouses, transloads, bulk terminals, riverports, and one military base."

The parent company of the PAL, P&L Transportation, also operates the Evansville Western Railway and the Appalachian and Ohio Railroad."

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/240, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville Railway PRX1 at Calvert City, Kentucky

Paducah and Louisville Railway 3811, 4504 and 4516 lead loaded coal train PRX1 around the outer loop at the Calvert City Terminal in Calvert City, Kentucky on July 23, 2021, after picking up a load of coal for the TVA Shawnee Power Plant in West Paducah, KY.

According to Wikipedia: “The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) 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 (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August 1986. 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. In Madisonville, the line interchanges with CSX Transportation (CSXT).

In Louisville, the line interchanges with the Indiana Railroad (INRD), CSX Transportation (CSXT) and Norfolk Southern (NS). Class III line connections are at Princeton with the Fredonia Valley Railroad (FVRR) and at Louisville with the Louisville and Indiana Railroad (LIRC). The line today carries over 200,000 carloads of traffic on a CTC-controlled mainline with welded rail and even a section of multiple main tracks nearly 20 miles (32 km) long between Paducah and just east of Calvert City. This is a huge improvement from the little amount of traffic and poor condition the line was in by the time the ICG had sold it.

Today it is a big regional class II railroad connecting with four class I railroads (listed above), as well as the three shortline connections it makes which are also listed above. It has 270 route-miles of track, of which 233 miles (375 km) are its mainline running between its namesake towns of Paducah and Louisville, as well as branch lines to Mayfield, Kevil, and Elizabethtown. The railroad serves “many chemical plants and other manufacturing companies, several coal mines, numerous clay and stone quarries, lumber and propane distributors, farm [including a few large grain elevators] and mine equipment suppliers, warehouses, transloads, bulk terminals, riverports, and one military base.”

The parent company of the PAL, P&L Transportation, also operates the Evansville Western Railway and the Appalachian and Ohio Railroad.”

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/240, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville PRX1 departs Warrior Coal at Nebo, KY

In this Infrared shot, Paducah and Louisville Railway 4516 leads a loaded coal train, and it begins its run from the Warrior Coal mine loop at Nebo, Ky on July 17th, 2021, on the Warrior Coal Mine lead. This load of coal is headed for Calvert City Terminal at Calvert City, KY.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Sigma 150-600 @600mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO 800.

Paducah and Louisville PRX1 departs Warrior Coal at Nebo, KY

In this Infrared shot, Paducah and Louisville Railway 4516 leads a loaded coal train, and it begins its run from the Warrior Coal mine loop at Nebo, Ky on July 17th, 2021, on the Warrior Coal Mine lead. This load of coal is headed for Calvert City Terminal at Calvert City, KY.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Sigma 150-600 @600mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO 800.

CN FUPD local heads into the PAL yard at Paducah, Ky

The daily Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local, led by CN 8887 and 5485 rounds the curve leading into the north end of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard at Paducah, KY under stormy skies on June 29th, 2021, to do its interchange work.

Many people put their cameras away when the clouds roll in and skies get dark, but for me that’s just when things get interesting! I love how they add drama to the scene and don’t forget, trains operate 24/7 in all kinds of weather! Just because it isn’t sunny and the lights not on the right side of the train, doesn’t mean there isn’t great photos to be had! Personally, I keep a large golf umbrella in the back of my SUV just for bad weather days! Get out there!!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CN FUPD local heads into the PAL yard at Paducah, KY

The daily Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPD) local, led by CN 8887 and 5485 rounds the curve leading into the north end of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard at Paducah, KY under stormy skies on June 29th, 2021, to do its interchange work.

Many people put their cameras away when the clouds roll in and skies get dark, but for me that’s just when things get interesting! I love how they add drama to the scene and don’t forget, trains operate 24/7 in all kinds of weather! Just because it isn’t sunny and the lights not on the right side of the train, doesn’t mean there isn’t great photos to be had! Personally, I keep a large golf umbrella in the back of my SUV just for bad weather days! Get out there!!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 rounds the horn at Paducah, Ky

Newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) 6401 trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it heads up the grade through what's referred to as "The Horn" because of its shape where they depart the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) yard at Paducah, Ky on June 30th, 2021, with PRLX switcher 1308 trailing behind it and BNSF 1706 and HCLX 3889 leading. 

Due to the length and weight of their train today they stalled on the grade leading up to the flyover at the PAL and had to do a reverse move and get another run at it from CN’s P&I Junction, before getting up the grade to the flyover. That's the photo I posted yesterday and is here on my page if you missed it.

Locomotive 6401 is 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 from what I understand. The other two units in the consist were BN 1706 leading (more photos to come on this unit) and HLCX 3889.

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.

Tech Info for each image is in that images caption: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 rounds the horn at Paducah, Ky

Newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) 6401 trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it heads up the grade through what’s referred to as “The Horn” because of its shape where they depart the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) yard at Paducah, Ky on June 30th, 2021, with PRLX switcher 1308 trailing behind it and BNSF 1706 and HCLX 3889 leading.

Due to the length and weight of their train today they stalled on the grade leading up to the flyover at the PAL and had to do a reverse move and get another run at it from CN’s P&I Junction, before getting up the grade to the flyover. That’s the photo I posted yesterday and is here on my page if you missed it.

Locomotive 6401 is 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 from what I understand. The other two units in the consist were BN 1706 leading (more photos to come on this unit) and HLCX 3889.

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.

Tech Info for each image is in that images caption: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 NB on BNSF local from Paducah, Ky

Newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) 6401 trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it passes over the CN flyover at the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard in Paducah, Ky on June 30th, 2021, with PRLX switcher 1308 trailing behind it. 

Locomotive 6401 is 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 from what I understand. The other two units in the consist were BN 1706 leading (more photos to come on this unit) and HLCX 3889.

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.

Tech Info for each image is in that images caption: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 110.

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 NB on BNSF local from Paducah, Ky

Newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) 6401 trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it passes over the CN flyover at the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard in Paducah, Ky on June 30th, 2021, with PRLX switcher 1308 trailing behind it.

Locomotive 6401 is 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 from what I understand. The other two units in the consist were BN 1706 leading (more photos to come on this unit) and HLCX 3889.

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.

Tech Info for each image is in that images caption: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 110.

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 at Paducah & Louisville Railway, Paducah, Ky

Todays post is a bit different for me as I normally post only one picture a day, but today I'm submitting 12 images for your enjoyment of the newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) tied down in the north end of the yard at the Paducah and Louisville Railway in Paducah, Ky with PRLX switcher 1308. Give me your thoughts on which image you like the best and why. Click on each thumbnail to view the full picture.

I considered posting these as just one a day but felt that folks would enjoy seeing the different views of this locomotive that was refurbished at the Progress Rail shops in Mayfield, Ky all at once. Locomotive 6401 is 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 from what I understand.

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.

Together with its sister company Eastern Maine Railway (reporting mark EMRY), NBSR and EMRY form a continuous 189.5 mi (305.0 km) main line connecting Saint John, New Brunswick Canada, with Brownville Junction, Maine. NBSR also operates an additional 41.7 mi (67.1 km) of branch lines in New Brunswick.

NBSR was established as a corporate entity in November 1994 by J.D. Irving Ltd. to purchase 131.7 miles of physical railway assets of the Canadian Pacific Railway within the province of New Brunswick; these being the 84.4 mile McAdam Subdivision, the 5.6 mile section of the Mattawamkeag Subdivision within Canada, as well as the West Saint John Spur, Milltown Spur, and the St. Stephen Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 110

New Brunswick Southern Railway 6401 at Paducah & Louisville Railway, Paducah, Ky

Todays post is a bit different for me as I normally post only one picture a day, but today I’m submitting 12 images for your enjoyment of the newly refurbished New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) tied down in the north end of the yard at the Paducah and Louisville Railway in Paducah, Ky with PRLX switcher 1308. Give me your thoughts on which image you like the best and why. Click on each thumbnail to view the full picture.

I considered posting these as just one a day but felt that folks would enjoy seeing the different views of this locomotive that was refurbished at the Progress Rail shops in Mayfield, Ky all at once. Locomotive 6401 is 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 that are ex-Norfolk Southern. Below is the list from what I’ve found.

• NBSR 6401 – ex-NS 2659

• NBSR 6402 – ex-NS 2779 (NS 2650)

• NBSR 6403 – ex-NS 2777

• NBSR 6404 – ex-NS 2666

• NBSR 6405 – ex-NS 2674

• NBSR 6406 – ex-NS 2715

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.

Together with its sister company Eastern Maine Railway (reporting mark EMRY), NBSR and EMRY form a continuous 189.5 mi (305.0 km) main line connecting Saint John, New Brunswick Canada, with Brownville Junction, Maine. NBSR also operates an additional 41.7 mi (67.1 km) of branch lines in New Brunswick.

NBSR was established as a corporate entity in November 1994 by J.D. Irving Ltd. to purchase 131.7 miles of physical railway assets of the Canadian Pacific Railway within the province of New Brunswick; these being the 84.4 mile McAdam Subdivision, the 5.6 mile section of the Mattawamkeag Subdivision within Canada, as well as the West Saint John Spur, Milltown Spur, and the St. Stephen Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 110

Paducah and Louisville Railway yard work at Paducah, Ky

Switcher GMTX 397 backs a string of tank cars under the flyover for the CN at the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) yard at Paducah, Kentucky on June 8th, 2021 as a PAL yard crew works on building trains on a stormy afternoon.

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.

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. In Madisonville, the line interchanges with CSX Transportation (CSXT).

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

Paducah and Louisville Railway yard work at Paducah, Ky

Switcher GMTX 397 backs a string of tank cars under the flyover for the CN at the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) yard at Paducah, Kentucky on June 8th, 2021 as a PAL yard crew works on building trains on a stormy afternoon.

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.

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. In Madisonville, the line interchanges with CSX Transportation (CSXT).

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

BNSF 6252 empty coal drag arrives at Paducah, Ky

A Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) crew pulls an empty coal drag into the north end of their yard in downtown Paducah, Kentucky on May7th, 2021 after finishing their run from the loadout at Calvert City, Ky, with DPU 6252 leading.

The PAL crew will tie the train down in the south end of the yard where it’ll wait for a BNSF crew to take it on south for another load of coal.  

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 380mm, f/8, 1/1000, ISO 450.

BNSF 6252 empty coal drag arrives at Paducah, Ky

A Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) crew pulls an empty coal drag into the north end of their yard in downtown Paducah, Kentucky on May7th, 2021 after finishing their run from the loadout at Calvert City, Ky, with DPU 6252 leading.

The PAL crew will tie the train down in the south end of the yard where it’ll wait for a BNSF crew to take it on south for another load of coal.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 380mm, f/8, 1/1000, ISO 450.

Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 departs Warrior Coal Loop, Nebo, Ky

On May 28th, 2021 Paducah and Louisville Railway’s UK 2012 leads on LG1 (Louisville Gas and Electric) as the train pulls away from the Warrior Coal Mine loop, just outside Nebo, Kentucky as it begins its trip north to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant just outside Louisville, Ky to deliver yet another load of coal! 

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/1600, ISO 1800.

Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 departs Warrior Coal Loop, Nebo, Ky

On May 28th, 2021 Paducah and Louisville Railways UK 2012 leads on LG1 (Louisville Gas and Electric) as the train pulls away from the Warrior Coal Mine loop, just outside Nebo, Kentucky as it begins its trip north to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant just outside Louisville, Ky to deliver yet another load of coal!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/1600, ISO 1800.

Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 at Warrior Coal Loop, Nebo, Ky

On May 8th, 2021 Paducah and Louisville Railway’s 4516 and 4503 bring up the rear as DPUs on LG1 (Louisville Gas and Electric) as the last few cars pass under the loadout at Warrior Coal Mine, just outside Nebo, Kentucky. 

Once finished loading this train made its way north to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant just outside Louisville, Ky to deliver yet another load of black gold! This train runs loaded toward Louisville every other day and the empties run on the opposite days back to Warrior Coal or Armstrong Coal at McHenry, Ky for loading.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 at Warrior Coal Loop, Nebo, Ky

On May 8th, 2021 Paducah and Louisville Railway’s 4516 and 4503 bring up the rear as DPUs on LG1 (Louisville Gas and Electric) as the last few cars pass under the loadout at Warrior Coal Mine, just outside Nebo, Kentucky.

Once finished loading this train made its way north to the Louisville Gas and Electric power plant just outside Louisville, Ky to deliver yet another load of black gold! This train runs loaded toward Louisville every other day and the empties run on the opposite days back to Warrior Coal or Armstrong Coal at McHenry, Ky for loading.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 100.

BNSF 6252 empty coal departs Calvert City Terminal, Calvert City, Ky

One Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) crew departs the Calvert City Terminal loop with BNSF 6252 leading from the DPU end of a empty coal train as a newly arrived PAL train prepares to drop its load on May 7th, 2021 at Calvert City, Kentucky.  

Calvert City Terminal is located at Mile 14 on the lower Tennessee River, near its confluence with the Ohio River, Calvert City Terminal is strategically located on the Paducah and Louisville Railroad in a large industrial park at Calvert City, Kentucky. This central location provides ready access to BNSF, CNIC, UP, NS, and CSX railroads, as well as the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.

They provide rail & barge loading, rail & barge unloading, short and long-term storage, and material blending services.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100.

BNSF 6252 empty coal departs Calvert City Terminal, Calvert City, Ky

One Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) crew departs the Calvert City Terminal loop with BNSF 6252 leading from the DPU end of a empty coal train as a newly arrived PAL train prepares to drop its load on May 7th, 2021 at Calvert City, Kentucky.

Calvert City Terminal is located at Mile 14 on the lower Tennessee River, near its confluence with the Ohio River, Calvert City Terminal is strategically located on the Paducah and Louisville Railroad in a large industrial park at Calvert City, Kentucky. This central location provides ready access to BNSF, CNIC, UP, NS, and CSX railroads, as well as the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.

They provide rail & barge loading, rail & barge unloading, short and long-term storage, and material blending services.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100.

Paducah and Louisville Railway unloads at Calvert City Terminal, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railways specialty painted University of Kentucky unit 2012 leads a loaded coal train through the unloading pit at Calvert City Terminal as it prepares to unload its coal on May 7th, 2021 at Calvert City, Kentucky.

Calvert City Terminal is located at Mile 14 on the lower Tennessee River, near its confluence with the Ohio River, Calvert City Terminal is strategically located on the Paducah and Louisville Railroad in a large industrial park at Calvert City, Kentucky. This central location provides ready access to BNSF, CNIC, UP, NS, and CSX railroads, as well as the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.

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

Paducah and Louisville Railway unloads at Calvert City Terminal, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railways specialty painted University of Kentucky unit 2012 leads a loaded coal train through the unloading pit at Calvert City Terminal as it prepares to unload its coal on May 7th, 2021 at Calvert City, Kentucky.

Calvert City Terminal is located at Mile 14 on the lower Tennessee River, near its confluence with the Ohio River, Calvert City Terminal is strategically located on the Paducah and Louisville Railroad in a large industrial park at Calvert City, Kentucky. This central location provides ready access to BNSF, CNIC, UP, NS, and CSX railroads, as well as the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.

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

On National Train Day PAL 2013 and 4518 Load at Warrior Coal, Nebo, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railway 2013 (University of Louisville Unit) and 4518 lead the Louisville Gas and Electric (LG1) as it snakes its way out of the Warrior Coal loadout on May 8th, 2021 at Nebo, Kentucky on the 2021 National Train Day.

According to the Web: National Train Day is a holiday that’s honors the history of the train in the U.S and promotes rail travel for all Americans. It’s observed annually on the Saturday closest to the 10th of May every year and is an opportunity for everyone to learn about how trains have revolutionized civilization and united a country at the same time. 

National Train Day was invented in May of 2008 by Amtrak. They wanted a way to promote rail travel, to spread information about trains to the public, and to reiterate the history of trains, so they invented this holiday. In 2011, Amtrak used the holiday as a part of its 40th-anniversary celebration. Amtrak discontinued National Train Day in 2015 to replace it with Amtrak Train Days, but people all over the world continue to celebrate this holiday as it was originally imagined.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/240, ISO 100.

On National Train Day PAL 2013 and 4518 Load at Warrior Coal, Nebo, KY

Paducah and Louisville Railway 2013 (University of Louisville Unit) and 4518 lead the Louisville Gas and Electric (LG1) as it snakes its way out of the Warrior Coal loadout on May 8th, 2021 at Nebo, Kentucky on the 2021 National Train Day.

According to the Web: National Train Day is a holiday that’s honors the history of the train in the U.S and promotes rail travel for all Americans. It’s observed annually on the Saturday closest to the 10th of May every year and is an opportunity for everyone to learn about how trains have revolutionized civilization and united a country at the same time.

National Train Day was invented in May of 2008 by Amtrak. They wanted a way to promote rail travel, to spread information about trains to the public, and to reiterate the history of trains, so they invented this holiday. In 2011, Amtrak used the holiday as a part of its 40th-anniversary celebration. Amtrak discontinued National Train Day in 2015 to replace it with Amtrak Train Days, but people all over the world continue to celebrate this holiday as it was originally imagined.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/240, ISO 100.

Northbound Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 at Rosine, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railway 4516 and 2012 lead a loaded Louisville Gas and Electric (LG1) loaded coal train through the cut just north of Rosine, Kentucky as it makes its way toward Louisville on April 14th, 2021.

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.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 100.

Northbound Paducah and Louisville Railway LG1 at Rosine, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railway 4516 and 2012 lead a loaded Louisville Gas and Electric (LG1) loaded coal train through the cut just north of Rosine, Kentucky as it makes its way toward Louisville on April 14th, 2021.

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.

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

Paducah and Louisville LG1 northbound at Summit, Kentucky

I love a spot that allows for good use of leading lines in a photograph, such as this shot! Here, Paducah and Louisville 4516 and 2012 lead loaded coal train LG1 (Louisville Gas & Electric) as they make their way through Summit, Kentucky on April 14th, 2021 on the way to the LG power plant at Louisville, Ky. 

Judging from the right of way, maintenance of way crews are preparing to replace ties and rails in the curves here, which is a never-ending job on the railroad!

From Wikipedia: The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) 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. The 223-mile 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. In Madisonville, the line interchanges with CSX Transportation (CSXT).

In Louisville, the line interchanges with the Indiana Railroad (INRD), CSX Transportation (CSXT) and Norfolk Southern (NS). Class III line connections are at Princeton with the Fredonia Valley Railroad (FVRR) and at Louisville with the Louisville and Indiana Railroad (LIRC). The line today carries over 200,000 carloads of traffic on a CTC-controlled mainline with welded rail and even a section of double track nearly 20 miles long between Paducah and just east of Calvert City. This is a huge improvement from the little amount of traffic and poor condition the line was in by the time the ICG had sold it.

Today it is a big regional class II railroad connecting with four class I railroads (listed above), as well as the three shortline connections it makes which are also listed above. It has 270 route-miles of track, of which 233 miles are its mainline running between its namesake towns of Paducah and Louisville, as well as branch lines to Mayfield, Kevil, and Elizabethtown. The railroad serves "many chemical plants and other manufacturing companies, several coal mines, numerous clay and stone quarries, lumber and propane distributors, farm [including a few large grain elevators] and mine equipment suppliers, warehouses, transloads, bulk terminals, riverports, and one military base."

The parent company of the PAL, P&L Transportation, also operates the Evansville Western Railway and the Appalachian and Ohio Railroad.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 290mm, f/7.6, 1/640, ISO 1800.

Paducah and Louisville LG1 northbound at Summit, Kentucky

I love a spot that allows for good use of leading lines in a photograph, such as this shot! Here, Paducah and Louisville 4516 and 2012 lead loaded coal train LG1 (Louisville Gas & Electric) as they make their way through Summit, Kentucky on April 14th, 2021 on the way to the LG power plant at Louisville, Ky.

Judging from the right of way, maintenance of way crews are preparing to replace ties and rails in the curves here, which is a never-ending job on the railroad!

From Wikipedia: The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) 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. The 223-mile 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. In Madisonville, the line interchanges with CSX Transportation (CSXT).

In Louisville, the line interchanges with the Indiana Railroad (INRD), CSX Transportation (CSXT) and Norfolk Southern (NS). Class III line connections are at Princeton with the Fredonia Valley Railroad (FVRR) and at Louisville with the Louisville and Indiana Railroad (LIRC). The line today carries over 200,000 carloads of traffic on a CTC-controlled mainline with welded rail and even a section of double track nearly 20 miles long between Paducah and just east of Calvert City. This is a huge improvement from the little amount of traffic and poor condition the line was in by the time the ICG had sold it.

Today it is a big regional class II railroad connecting with four class I railroads (listed above), as well as the three shortline connections it makes which are also listed above. It has 270 route-miles of track, of which 233 miles are its mainline running between its namesake towns of Paducah and Louisville, as well as branch lines to Mayfield, Kevil, and Elizabethtown. The railroad serves “many chemical plants and other manufacturing companies, several coal mines, numerous clay and stone quarries, lumber and propane distributors, farm [including a few large grain elevators] and mine equipment suppliers, warehouses, transloads, bulk terminals, riverports, and one military base.”

The parent company of the PAL, P&L Transportation, also operates the Evansville Western Railway and the Appalachian and Ohio Railroad.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 290mm, f/7.6, 1/640, ISO 1800.

Signs of Spring at the Paducah and Louisville Railway as CN heads to Fulton, Ky!


With signs of spring in the trees, Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPU) turn heads over the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard as it heads back to Fulton, Ky after making its drop-off and pick-up at Paducah, Ky.

I've been trying to catch this shot ever since I got my first drone and it finally happened today, April 3rd, 2021st while myself and fellow railfan Ryan Scott spent the day chasing trains around Paducah and Fulton, Ky! While we didn't get a lot of trains, what we did catch was nice and you'll see more in the days to come!


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

Signs of Spring at the Paducah and Louisville Railway as CN heads to Fulton, Ky!

With signs of spring in the trees, Canadian National Fulton to Paducah (FUPU) turn heads over the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard as it heads back to Fulton, Ky after making its drop-off and pick-up at Paducah, Ky.

I’ve been trying to catch this shot ever since I got my first drone and it finally happened today, April 3rd, 2021st while myself and fellow railfan Ryan Scott spent the day chasing trains around Paducah and Fulton, Ky! While we didn’t get a lot of trains, what we did catch was nice and you’ll see more in the days to come!

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

Power move on the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Princeton, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) 2100 leads the daily local south, as it arrives at their yard in Princeton, Ky after making its pickup from CSX at Atkinson Yard in Madisonville, Kentucky. Part of it's pickup on January 18th, 2021, was six engines, dead in tow, bound for the National Railway Equipment shops in Paducah, Kentucky.

The power on this train was, PAL, 2100, 2121, 2101, 2104, dead in tow were, CIT/CBFX 1579, 1589 switchers, NERX 2710, 8580 (both ex SP), Northside Mining 2001 and NREX 2724, also ex-SP.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 46mm, f/4, 1/800, ISO 220.

Power move on the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Princeton, Ky

Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) 2100 leads the daily local south, as it arrives at their yard in Princeton, Ky after making its pickup from CSX at Atkinson Yard in Madisonville, Kentucky. Part of it’s pickup on January 18th, 2021, was six engines, dead in tow, bound for the National Railway Equipment shops in Paducah, Kentucky.

The power on this train was, PAL, 2100, 2121, 2101, 2104, dead in tow were, CIT/CBFX 1579, 1589 switchers, NERX 2710, 8580 (both ex SP), Northshore Mining 2001 and NREX 2724, also ex-SP.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 46mm, f/4, 1/800, ISO 220.