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.

Illinois rail action of Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad and CN.

In this video we catch Illinois rail action of a Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad local on its way to Terre Haute, Indiana and one of their locals working the yard at Decatur, Illinois along with a CN manifest headed to Chicago from Siegal, Illinois on July 21st, 2021.

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.

Eastern Maine Railway Shortline 6403 trails at Chiles Junction, West Paducah, Ky

Newly refurbished Eastern Maine Railway (EMRY) 6403, Owned by the New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR), trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it pulls north at Chiles Junction in West Paducah, Kentucky with BNSF 7901 and 6147 leading the way on July 23, 2021. 

Locomotive 6403 is the second of six units that are being refurbished by Progress Rail at Mayfield, KY, for NBSR out of Saint John, NB, Canada. The other units are 6402-6406 and they are all SD70M-2 units and were former NS locomotives. 

According to Wikipedia: The Eastern Maine Railway Company Limited (reporting mark EMRY) is a 99.5 mi U.S. short line railroad owned by the New Brunswick Railway Company, a holding company that is part of "Irving Transportation Services", a division within the industrial conglomerate J.D. Irving Limited.

EMRY was established as a corporate entity on November 10, 1994, by J.D. Irving Ltd. to purchase the 99.5 mile right of way and physical railway assets of the Canadian Pacific Railway's Mattawamkeag Subdivision rail line within the state of Maine, running from its eastern terminus at the Canada–United States border, this being the midpoint of the Saint Croix-Vanceboro Railway Bridge at Vanceboro, west to Brownville Junction.

Both EMRY and NBSR began operations on January 6, 1995, approximately 1 week after Canadian Pacific Railway abandoned operations of its Canadian Atlantic Railway (CAR) subsidiary on December 31, 1994. In addition to owning the former CPR tracks in Maine, EMRY was an operating entity for the first several months of existence and had running rights over its sister company NBSR's tracks from the International Boundary east to the yard at McAdam, New Brunswick. In spring 1995 Irving Transportation Services consolidated its railway operations as Eastern Maine Railway Company Limited came under NBSR operational control.

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

Eastern Maine Railway Shortline 6403 trails at Chiles Junction, West Paducah, Ky

Newly refurbished Eastern Maine Railway (EMRY) 6403, Owned by the New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR), trails as the third unit on the northbound Paducah to Centralia, IL BNSF local as it pulls north at Chiles Junction in West Paducah, Kentucky with BNSF 7901 and 6147 leading the way on July 23, 2021.

Locomotive 6403 is the second of six units that are being refurbished by Progress Rail at Mayfield, KY, for NBSR out of Saint John, NB, Canada. The other units are 6402-6406 and they are all SD70M-2 units and were former NS locomotives.

According to Wikipedia: The Eastern Maine Railway Company Limited (reporting mark EMRY) is a 99.5 mi U.S. short line railroad owned by the New Brunswick Railway Company, a holding company that is part of “Irving Transportation Services”, a division within the industrial conglomerate J.D. Irving Limited.

EMRY was established as a corporate entity on November 10, 1994, by J.D. Irving Ltd. to purchase the 99.5 mile right of way and physical railway assets of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Mattawamkeag Subdivision rail line within the state of Maine, running from its eastern terminus at the Canada–United States border, this being the midpoint of the Saint Croix-Vanceboro Railway Bridge at Vanceboro, west to Brownville Junction.

Both EMRY and NBSR began operations on January 6, 1995, approximately 1 week after Canadian Pacific Railway abandoned operations of its Canadian Atlantic Railway (CAR) subsidiary on December 31, 1994. In addition to owning the former CPR tracks in Maine, EMRY was an operating entity for the first several months of existence and had running rights over its sister company NBSR’s tracks from the International Boundary east to the yard at McAdam, New Brunswick. In spring 1995 Irving Transportation Services consolidated its railway operations as Eastern Maine Railway Company Limited came under NBSR operational control.

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

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.

Kentucky-West Tennessee Railway 1809 and 304 depart Dresden, TN

May 10th, 2021 was my first ever day of chasing on this shortline railroad, the Kentucky-West Tennessee (KWT) Railway. Here we find Z978 (KWT 1809 and 304 leading) as it pulls out of the trees just west of Dresden, Tennessee on their run between Dresden and McKenzie, Tennessee under stormy skies.

The KWT is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad who owns or leases 116 railroads across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. The KWT Owns or leases 72 miles of track between Kentucky and Tennessee and interchanges with the CSX at Bruceton, TN. It was bought by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad in 2005.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

Kentucky-West Tennessee Railway 1809 and 304 depart Gleason, TN

May 10th, 2021 was my first ever day of chasing on this shortline railroad, the Kentucky-West Tennessee (KWT) Railway. Here we find Z978 (KWT 1809 and 304 leading) as it pulls out of the trees just west of Gleason, Tennessee under stormy skies.

The KWT is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad who owns or leases 116 railroads across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. The KWT Owns or leases 72 miles of track between Kentucky and Tennessee and interchanges with the CSX at Bruceton, TN. It was bought by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad in 2005.

#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.

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.

Kentucky-West Tennessee Railway 1809 and 304 depart Dresden, TN

Today was my first ever catch of this shortline railroad, the Kentucky-West Tennessee (KWT) Railway. Here we find Z978 as it pulls through a tunnel of trees and undulating tracks as it departs Dresden, Tennessee on May 10th, 2021 on the KWT's run between Dresden and McKenzie, Tennessee.

The KWT is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad who owns or leases 116 railroads across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. The KWT Owns or leases 72 miles of track between Kentucky and Tennessee and interchanges with the CSX at Bruceton, TN. It was bought by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad in 2005.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/500, ISO 900.

Kentucky-West Tennessee Railway 1809 and 304 depart Dresden, TN

Today was my first ever catch of this shortline railroad, the Kentucky-West Tennessee (KWT) Railway. Here we find Z978 as it pulls through a tunnel of trees and undulating tracks as it departs Dresden, Tennessee on May 10th, 2021 on the KWT’s run between Dresden and McKenzie, Tennessee.

The KWT is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad who owns or leases 116 railroads across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. The KWT Owns or leases 72 miles of track between Kentucky and Tennessee and interchanges with the CSX at Bruceton, TN. It was bought by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad in 2005.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/500, ISO 900.

BUGX 1752 at Troy, Indiana


Ohio River Scenic Railway BUGX 1752 (EMD FP9A) leads the last train of the day, on May 1st, 2021, as it waits to depart from Troy, Indiana from downtown, where their passengers were allowed to disembark for a walk around the riverfront and downtown. 


BUGX 1752 is an ex-CN Rebuilt EMD that is leased now by the Ohio River Scenic Railway from Dieselmotive Company of Northern California. It is a former Canadian National FP9A unit, which was recently sold by Pioneer RailCorp affiliate Keokuk Junction Railway to Dieselmotive and has become one of their lease units.


Ohio River Scenic Railway is headquartered out of Tell City, Indiana and they run through Perry and Spencer Counties in southern Indiana on the weekends. For more and updated information visit their website at https://www.ohiorivertrain.com/ and take a ride behind this beautiful locomotive! 


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

BUGX 1752 at Troy, Indiana

Ohio River Scenic Railway BUGX 1752 (EMD FP9A) leads the last train of the day, on May 1st, 2021, as it waits to depart from Troy, Indiana from downtown, where their passengers were allowed to disembark for a walk around the riverfront and downtown.

BUGX 1752 is an ex-CN Rebuilt EMD that is leased now by the Ohio River Scenic Railway from Dieselmotive Company of Northern California. It is a former Canadian National FP9A unit, which was recently sold by Pioneer RailCorp affiliate Keokuk Junction Railway to Dieselmotive and has become one of their lease units.

Ohio River Scenic Railway is headquartered out of Tell City, Indiana and they run through Perry and Spencer Counties in southern Indiana on the weekends. For more and updated information visit their website at https://www.ohiorivertrain.com/ and take a ride behind this beautiful locomotive!

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

RJ Corman Wye Work at Woodburn, Ky

Fellow railfan Cooper Smith and I really lucked out when we railfanned the RJ Corman Memphis line on April 14th, 2021. We caught the northbound RJC ML25 at South Union, Kentucky and chased it up to the RJ Corman Distribution Center at Woodburn, Ky.

After dropping their power on the wye and pulling one unit off they moved it on north and I got this shot of it just passing the switch before it was put in the track on the right! The train on the left then came out on the main and backed down on the main to pickup the cars and it continued north as MR25 to Louisville.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

RJ Corman Wye Work at Woodburn, Ky

Fellow railfan Cooper Smith and I really lucked out when we railfanned the RJ Corman Memphis line on April 14th, 2021. We caught the northbound RJC MR25 at South Union, Kentucky and chased it up to the RJ Corman Distribution Center at Woodburn, Ky.

After dropping their power on the wye and pulling one unit off they moved it on north and I got this shot of it just passing the switch before it was put in the track on the right! The train on the left then came out on the main and backed down on the main to pickup the cars and it continued north to Bowling Green, Ky.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

The waiting game and a very long lens!

On April 14th, 2021 RJ Corman 3801 sits on top of the rise coming north out of their Russellville, Kentucky Distribution Center as they work on connecting to the rest of their train, MR25, in preparation to head north toward Louisville, Kentucky.

This shot illustrates just why I really enjoy my long telephoto lens!! This was shot from a public crossing probably ½ mile away from the train sitting here on top of the rise in a small cut and a tunnel of trees! There’s no way I could get this shot and this look without a long lens! It was shot with my Sigma 150-600mm lens with a Sigma 1.4 teleconverter at 850mm!! Having a long lens as part of your camera kit is a must!

Also, what you can’t see from this show was just behind me at the crossing, which was a loaded ALCAN train with RJC 3837 leading, that was waiting on the main to head on south after MR25 cleared the tracks. That shot and a video will be coming in the next week, so stay tuned! 

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/1000, ISO 1400.

The waiting game and a very long lens!

On April 14th, 2021 RJ Corman 3801 sits on top of the rise coming north out of their Russellville, Kentucky Distribution Center as they work on connecting to the rest of their train, MR25, in preparation to head north toward Louisville, Kentucky.

This shot illustrates just why I really enjoy my long telephoto lens!! This was shot from a public crossing probably ½ mile away from the train sitting here on top of the rise in a small cut and a tunnel of trees! There’s no way I could get this shot and this look without a long lens! It was shot with my Sigma 150-600mm lens with a Sigma 1.4 teleconverter at 850mm!! Having a long lens as part of your camera kit is a must!

Also, what you can’t see from this show was just behind me at the crossing, which was a loaded ALCAN train with RJC 3837 leading, that was waiting on the main to head on south after MR25 cleared the tracks. That shot and a video will be coming in the next week, so stay tuned!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/1000, ISO 1400.

RJ Corman northbound at South Union, Kentucky on the Memphis Line

With the exhaust flowing behind the train, RJ Corman’s 3803, 3863 and 3837 lead MR22 northbound on April 14th, 2021 as they pass the 1869 Shaker Tavern at South Union, Kentucky on an overcast spring day. Their next stop is the RJ Corman Railroad Distribution Center outside Russellville, Ky where they cut off this power and another train set combined its train with it and took the train on north on the Memphis Line.

According to Roadtrippers.com: “The Shaker Tavern, built in 1869 as a business venture for the South Union Shakers, housed a hotel for the "people of the world." The Shakers leased the building to an outside interest for one hundred dollars a month, leaving its management to the "world." The Shaker Tavern maintained a thriving business for more than forty years, catering to the Victorian railroad travelers who stopped at South Union. The building's architectural features were clearly incorporated to attract the world's people, whose tastes differed dramatically from that of the Shakers. The stark simplicity of the buildings used by the Shakers contrasts greatly with the grand columned facade, intricate brickwork, and the ornate staircase of the Shaker Tavern.”

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

RJ Corman northbound at South Union, Kentucky on the Memphis Line

With the exhaust flowing behind the train, RJ Corman’s 3803, 3863 and 3837 lead MR22 northbound on April 14th, 2021 as they pass the 1869 Shaker Tavern at South Union, Kentucky on an overcast spring day. Their next stop is the RJ Corman Railroad Distribution Center outside Russellville, Ky where they cut off this power and another train set combined its train with it and took the train on north on the Memphis Line.

According to Roadtrippers.com: “The Shaker Tavern, built in 1869 as a business venture for the South Union Shakers, housed a hotel for the “people of the world.” The Shakers leased the building to an outside interest for one hundred dollars a month, leaving its management to the “world.” The Shaker Tavern maintained a thriving business for more than forty years, catering to the Victorian railroad travelers who stopped at South Union. The building’s architectural features were clearly incorporated to attract the world’s people, whose tastes differed dramatically from that of the Shakers. The stark simplicity of the buildings used by the Shakers contrasts greatly with the grand columned facade, intricate brickwork, and the ornate staircase of the Shaker Tavern.”

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.