October 3, 2020 – Evansville Western Railway 6001 and 6002 lead a local freight past the siding at Abee, Indiana as they approach the Wildeman Road Crossing on their way back to Mount Vernon, IN after doing interchange work with CSX at Howell Yard in Evansville, IN.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.
September 24, 2020 – Paducah & Louisville (PAL) 4512 and Evansville Western 4511 lead a 5,400ft loaded coal train through downtown Calvert City, Kentucky on its way to the Calvert City Loadout.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.
September 21, 2020 – Paducah and Louisville Railway University of Kentucky locomotive 2012 and 4503 lead the afternoon Louisville Gas and Electric coal train across the trestle at Big Clifty, Kentucky on its way north to Louisville.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.
September 24, 2020 –
September 24, 2020 – Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) 2109 and its crew work their yard at Paducah, Kentucky as early signs of fall begin to appear in the trees.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 180mm, f/5, 1/1000, ISO 450.
C (PAL) 2109 and its crew work their yard at Paducah, Kentucky as early signs of fall begin to appear in the trees.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 180mm, f/5, 1/1000, ISO 450.
September 29, 2020 – Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) 2109, 2110, 2117 and 2120 lead local WW1 across Interstate 69 at Madisonville, Kentucky as they head to CSX’s Atkinson yard with a lone car today for interchange with CSX after dropping off a long string of cars at their West Yard in Madisonville. From here they will take the junction trackage called East Diamond and head back across the other bridge in the background to Atkinson at Madisonville where they dropped the car and picked up a much longer string of cars for the return trip to Princeton, Ky.
PAL runs this local pretty much M-S from Princeton to Madisonville and there’s another local that runs from Paducah to Princeton to move traffic between those cities with pretty much the same schedule. There’s also another local that runs from Louisville to Paducah and back, but it is normally a night run in both directions. Occasionally I see these trains run also on Sunday, but it’s not the norm.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 200.
September 26, 2020 – Paducah and Louisville 4512 leads empty coal train loop in Nebo, Kentucky, with a tinge of fall foliage beginning to show in the trees.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 200.
September 24, 2020 – Paducah & Louisville (PAL) 4512 and Evansville Western 4511 lead a 5,400ft loaded coal train across Barkley Dam at Grand Rivers, Kentucky on the Cumberland River, as they head for the Calvert City Coal Terminal at Calvert City, Ky.
Barkley Dam construction along with Kentucky Dam formed the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area by stopping the flow of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, forming Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake respectively and the PAL mainline runs right across the dam.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.
September 22, 2020 – On the first day of fall Paducah & Louisville local WW1, led by PAL 2112 crosses of the CSX Henderson Subdivision at the location known as Monarch in Madisonville, Ky.
The local was on its way to CSX’s Atkinson yard to perform interchange work between the PAL and CSX after making their way from the PAL yard at Princeton, Kentucky. Still working on trying to catch two trains at this spot! It will happen!
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/140, ISO 100.
August 29, 2020 – In this long lens shot from a public crossing we see Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad (DERI) HLCX 4210 as it crosses over the Wabash & Illinois Central (WABIC) diamond at Decatur, Illinois as it heads back to its yard after working various industries around the city.
According to Wikipedia: The Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad (reporting mark DREI) is an American regional railroad that is a subsidiary of Watco Companies operating in eastern Illinois and western Indiana.
In January 2018, CSX Transportation announced that it was seeking offers to buy the Decatur Subdivision and the Danville Secondary Subdivision as part of a system-wide sale of low-traffic routes, and in July, Watco, via the DREI, was identified as the winning bidder. Following regulatory approval from the Surface Transportation Board, The DREI began operations on September 9, 2018.
The DREI operates two intersecting routes totaling 126.7 miles (203.9 km)—the former Decatur Subdivision between Montezuma, Indiana and Decatur, Illinois, and the former Danville Subdivision between Terre Haute, Indiana and Olivet, Illinois. It interchanges traffic with CSX, the Eastern Illinois Railroad, the Norfolk Southern Railway, the Canadian National Railway, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The railroad is headquartered in Decatur, Illinois.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 460mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 220.
August 29, 2020 – Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad (DERI) 101 with 4235 & 4236 leading the way, passes the Top Flight Grain elevators at Pierson Station, Illinois as it heads east to Terre Haute, Indiana (where they interchange with CSX) on the former CSX Danville Subdivision (now the DERI).
According to Wikipedia: The Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad (reporting mark DREI) is an American regional railroad that is a subsidiary of Watco Companies operating in eastern Illinois and western Indiana.
In January 2018, CSX Transportation announced that it was seeking offers to buy the Decatur Subdivision and the Danville Secondary Subdivision as part of a system-wide sale of low-traffic routes, and in July, Watco, via the DREI, was identified as the winning bidder. Following regulatory approval from the Surface Transportation Board, The DREI began operations on September 9, 2018.
The DREI operates two intersecting routes totaling 126.7 miles (203.9 km)—the former Decatur Subdivision between Montezuma, Indiana and Decatur, Illinois, and the former Danville Subdivision between Terre Haute, Indiana and Olivet, Illinois. It interchanges traffic with CSX, the Eastern Illinois Railroad, the Norfolk Southern Railway, the Canadian National Railway, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The railroad is headquartered in Decatur, Illinois.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 31mm, f/5, 1/1000, ISO 100.
August 26, 2020 – Paducah and Louisville 2118 heads up the Princeton to Madisonville, Ky local as it heads north through Dawson Springs, Ky to Madisonville to perform interchange work with CSX at Atkinson Yard.
I love shooting spots that have interesting track or other features that help draw the viewer’s eye to the subject of the photograph, such as in this case with the two small S curves just south of the highway 62 overpass. Always look for ways to help your photographs have more impact by looking for these interesting things that can help add interest to your shots.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 460mm, f/8, 1/800, ISO 900.
August 15, 2020 – Paducah and Louisville Salute to Our Veterans unit, 2129 heads up an afternoon local as it works in the industrial area at Calvert City, Kentucky.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm, f/11, 1/500, ISO 250.
August 4, 2020 – Indiana Railroads 9007 leads (SAHW) the Indianapolis to Jasonville, Indiana evening train as it passes over the diamond at Linton, Indiana as it heads south into the setting sun on the Indianapolis Subdivision as it crosses over the INRD Chicago Subdivision.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 350mm, f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 220.
August 4, 2020 – Indiana Railroad PAUT1-04 rolls past the Marathon Refinery on the Indianapolis Subdivision at Robinson, Illinois as it heads back to the yard at Palestine, IL after finishing its morning work in the Robinson area.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, Sigma 150-600 @ 185mm, f/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200.
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.
August 1, 2020 – The conductor on CSX Q513 shines a light on the track ahead from the nose of New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPD) 2005 as it and 2004 are backed into Howell Yard in Evansville, Indiana to perform a pickup before continuing its trip on south along the Henderson Subdivision on a wet and cool summer night.
According to a press release from – The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), it is in the process of upgrading its locomotive fleet with eight new locomotives to replace aging engines, improve efficiency, and lower overall emissions. Recognizable by their bright blue color, the new locomotives will provide reliable service and support the short-line railroad’s commitment to integrating more sustainable business and operational practices.
The new EPA-classified Tier One locomotives will allow NOPB to reduce its fleet size by 46 percent, from 15 locomotives to eight. Fuel consumption will be reduced by 25 percent, and emission reductions include a 40 percent reduction in nitrous oxide (NOx), which pollutes the ozone layer and creates smog, along with a 50 percent reduction in particulate emissions.
In addition to fuel and emissions savings, the new leasing structure allows NOPB to achieve significant operational and capital savings.
These are two of their new locomotives that are dead-in-tow on Q513 heading south to their new home.
According to Wikipedia: The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (reporting mark NOPB) is a Class III railroad, and a subsidiary of the Port of New Orleans. It connects with six Class I railroads serving the city, and provides switching and haulage service. It is estimated that one-third of the United States’ east-west rail freight crosses the Mississippi on the Huey P. Long Bridge segment of the railroad.
The impetus for the NOPB came at the start of the 20th century era when multiple railroads terminating locally created both congestion at the Port of New Orleans and safety problems on city streets. The railroad began operation in 1908 with the intention of giving the major railroads “uniform and impartial” access to the port.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikkor 50mm, f/1.4, 1/30, ISO 3,600.
July 17, 2020 – RJ Corman ALCAN train southbound at Midway, Ky with RJC 7116 leading the way as it passes the old Spring Station, under stormy skies, between Jett and Midway, Ky on the Old Road Subdivision. The house at the crossing here used to be the Spring Station depot. The old freight house is to the left and hidden by the trees.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/6.3, 1/500, ISO 1000.
July 21, 2020 – Indiana Railroad (INRD) 9001 leads northbound daily train from Jasonville to Indianapolis, Indiana train (HWSA), with engineer Travis Collins at the controls as it approaches the county road 800, south of Switz City, Indiana. He will meet his southbound counterpart (SAHW) at the north end of the siding in Switz City, where they will trade trains and continue to their respective destinations on the INRD Indianapolis Subdivision.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, Sigma 150-600 @ 480mm, f/6, 1/1250, ISO 560.
July 15, 2020 – Progressive Rail Inc. 33 sits idling outside a engine house as it prepares for a day of work at the Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railway in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
According to Wikipedia: The Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railway (reporting mark COER) (formerly American Rail Heritage, Ltd. d/b/a Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railroad Company) is a Class III common carrier shortline railroad that operates in the cities of Marion and Herrin in the Southern Illinois region. It is most historically recognized by the FRA for being the last U.S. railroad of any kind to use steam locomotives exclusively in regular revenue freight service up until 1986.
The present-day shortline currently operates a total of 13.5 miles of track across the industrial centers of Williamson County in two separate railroad districts with a fleet of two diesel switcher engines. One line being known as the “Marion District”, which is the railroad’s main working division with roughly 8.5 miles of track; and the other division being the “Herrin District”, which mostly serves the city’s manufacturing industries along a 5-mile stretch of track.
t also has three different interchange points with two Class I railroads. Near their main offices in downtown Marion, the railroad has a junction with Union Pacific’s Marion Subdivision; another interchange is located in the nearby Marion suburb of Bainbridge with BNSF Railway’s Beardstown Subdivision. A second BNSF connection with the same line is also present in the Herrin district. Most of the CO&E Railroad’s revenue freight products primarily consist of coal, lumber, petroleum, grain, steel, paper, chemicals, manufactured goods, and railcar repair service.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/5, 1/640, ISO 100.
July 21, 2020 – Indiana Railroad (INRD) 301 and 3001 power the Palestine Utility train 1 (PAUT-1), as it passes through granaries at Palestine, Illinois, on it’s way north back to INRD’s Palestine Yard, after doing its work between the Marathon Refinery in Robinson, Illinois and Palestine on the INRD Indianapolis Subdivision.
According to Wikipedia: The Indiana Rail Road (reporting mark INRD) is a United States Class II railroad, originally operating over former Illinois Central Railroad trackage from Newton, Illinois, to Indianapolis, Indiana, a distance of 155 miles (249 km).
This line, now known as the Indiana Rail Road’s Indianapolis Subdivision, comprises most of the former IC line from Indianapolis to Effingham, Illinois; Illinois Central successor Canadian National Railway retains the portion from Newton to Effingham. INRD also owns a former Milwaukee Road line from Terre Haute, Indiana, to Burns City, Indiana (site of the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center), with trackage rights extending to Chicago, Illinois.
Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Nikkor 70-300 @ 80mm, f/4.5, 1/1250, ISO 125.