Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train Departs Nashville, TN
The Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train departs from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum (TCRX), which operates out of Nashville, TN, on June 12th, 2021 with downtown Nashville in the distance. Here we find L&;N 405 leading the train as it passes the Nashville & Eastern Railroad where myself and fellow railfan Ryan Scott, of Steelrails, caught our first shots while chasing this train from Nashville to Watertown, TN and back, along the Nashville, and Eastern Railway line.
Once restoration is complete Nashville Steam’s Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway steam locomotive No. 576 will lead trains along this same route! The rest of the power in the consist was L&N F7B 715 & 719, plus TCRX E8A 6902 trailing which led on the return trip.
According to their website: The Tennessee Central Railway Museum is a volunteer, non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve, restore, interpret, and operate historic railroad equipment to educate our guests about America’s railroads.
Since 1989, TCRM has been running passenger excursions from Nashville to points east such as Lebanon, Watertown, Baxter, Cookeville, and Monterey, Tennessee.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100.
CSXT 3194 Spirit of our Law Enforcement unit eastbound at Trace Creek, Waverly, Tennessee
CSXT 3194 (Spirit of our Law Enforcement) crosses over Trace Creek as it makes its way through the hills of Tennessee, at Waverly, TN, as it led Q125-05 (Memphis, TN – East Savannah, GA) east on the CSX Bruceton Subdivision.
From CSX Press Releases – CSX Transportation’s “Spirit of our Law Enforcement” commemorative locomotive CSXT 3194 is being renamed to honor our nation’s police officers who dedicate their lives to serve and protect communities across our network.
CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.
Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train
Today was my first time chasing the Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train train from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum (TCRX), which operates out of Nashville, TN on June 12th, 2021. While it was a hot and muggy day, myself and fellow railfan Ryan Scott, of Steelrails, had a great time chasing this train from Nashville to Watertown, TN and back, along the Nashville, and Eastern Railway line. Once restoration is complete Nashville Steam’s Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway steam locomotive No. 576 will lead trains along this same route!
Here Louisville and Nashville #405 (GP7 405) lead the Tennessee Moonshine Sippin’ Excursion Train through the curve at Cherry Valley, TN as they approach their turn-around point of Watertown, TN on the Nashville & Eastern railway with, L&N” F7B 715 & 719, plus TCRX E8A 6902 trailing.
According to their website: The Tennessee Central Railway Museum is a volunteer, non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve, restore, interpret, and operate historic railroad equipment to educate our guests about America’s railroads.
We have a growing collection of historic equipment, but TCRM is much more than a static museum. Our specialty is operating historic trains, providing a unique opportunity to rediscover vintage rail travel through beautiful Middle Tennessee.
Since 1989, TCRM has been running passenger excursions from Nashville to points east such as Lebanon, Watertown, Baxter, Cookeville, and Monterey, Tennessee.
#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.
CSXT 3194 Spirit of our Law Enforcement unit eastbound at New Johnsonville, TN
Not the shot I had originally planned for this location of CSXT 3194 (Spirit of our Law Enforcement) unit leading CSX Q125 east across the Tennessee River, but a good alternate shot, none the less!
My primary spot for this location was going to be up close to the drawbridge with the train coming across, but when I flew down to the location, I realized the battery on the drone was at 52 percent.
I left the drone in place till the battery dropped to 28% and flew it back to me to change it (didnt want it to drop from the sky into the river). Not sure at the time why it was so low as I keep all the batteries on charge with an inverter in my SUV, but when I checked the inverter had come unplugged and all three batteries were less than 50% charged, I put the next strongest battery in (48%) and went airborne in time to see the train coming down the throat of the bridge!
Even in sport mode I knew I wouldnt make it back to my spot and so I set up for this secondary spot for this shot I knew I was going to crop as a vertical image. From now on Ill always remember to make sure the charger is connected before I hit the road!
According to CSX Press Releases – CSX Transportation’s “Spirit of our Law Enforcement” commemorative locomotive CSXT 3194 was renamed and painted to honor our nation’s police officers who dedicate their lives to serve and protect communities across our network.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.
CSXT 3194 Spirit of our Law Enforcement unit at Harpeth River, Pegram, Tennessee
I’ve been wanting to catch this unit out in the wild since it was unveiled back in 2019 and it finally got into my shooting area yesterday, June 5th, 2021. Here I caught CSXT 3194 (Spirit of our Law Enforcement) as it crossed over the Harpeth River through the hills of Tennessee, just west of Pegram, as it led Q125-05 (Memphis, TN – East Savannah, GA).
This was during the Memphis to Nashville, TN leg of its journey and this is my favorite spot from where I chased it between New Johnsonville and Nashville on the CSX Bruceton Subdivision along with a bunch of fellow railfans. A big shoutout goes to all the folks that gave heads up and sent messages about this move for all of us who were out trackside!
From CSX Press Releases – CSX Transportation’s “Spirit of our Law Enforcement” commemorative locomotive CSXT 3194 is being renamed to honor our nation’s police officers who dedicate their lives to serve and protect communities across our network.
CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.
CSX J056 southbound takes the siding at Camden, TN
CSXT 5419 heads up work train J056 as pulls into the siding at Camden, Tennessee as it makes its way south on the CSX Bruceton Subdivision, passing under the Forrest Avenue overpass.
The Bruceton Subdivision is owned by CSX Transportation and runs from Nashville, Tennessee, to Camden, Tennessee, for a total of 87.7 miles (141.1 km). At its east end the line continues west from the Nashville Terminal Subdivision and at its west end the line continues west as the Memphis Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.
Canadian National loaded coke train U70091-28 southbound at Newbern, TN
CN loaded coke train U70091-28 heads southbound on the Fulton Subdivision, with engineer Darren Doss at the controls of CN 3868 on May 29th, 2021 as it passes the Amtrak station southbound through downtown Newbern, TN,.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.
CN 3211 leads CSX Q532 north on the Memphis Sub at McKenzie, TN
Canadian National 3211 and 2866 lead the daily CSX Q532 as it heads through the curve at McKenzie, Tennessee on the CSX Memphis Subdivision as it makes its way to Nashville, TN on May 10th, 2021 from Memphis, TN.
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.
CSX southbound work train over the Tennessee River, New Johnsonville, TN
CSXT 5419 heads up work train J056 as it heads south across the bridge on the Tennessee River at New Johnsonville, Tennessee on the CSX Bruceton Subdivision.
This railroad bridge crosses over the Tennessee River at New Johnsonville, TN and connects Humpreys and Benton Counties and runs next to the Hickman Lockhart Memorial highway Bridge. It is a multiple through truss bridge with vertical lift section for barge traffic, was built in 1945, and still in use.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.
CSX Q029 southbound on the Henderson Subdivision at Adams, TN
On May 5th, 2021 CSX hot intermodal Q029-05 is framed by trees as it passes under the highway 41 overpass as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision at Adams, Tennessee.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 750mm, f/8.5, 1/250, ISO 1000.
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.
Southbound W992-28 High and Wide Move over the Red River at Adams, Tennessee
When you’re running at 25 mph and only 5 mph through switches, it pretty much takes forever to get anywhere as with CSX W992-28 as it heads south across the Red River trestle at Adams, Tennessee on the CSX Henderson Subdivision with CSXT #9 leading on May 5th, 2021. It left Evansville, Indiana around midnight and ended up tying down at Courtland, TN where it covered 125 miles in about 12 hours.
Based on past moves this looks like another GE generator that is bound for Florida. Still trying to find out and will add it to the caption once I do.
This was an Emmert International train move with CSXT #9 as power and BBCX 1002 as the trailing manned caboose with what appeared to be a steam generator of some sort that was being hauled on their BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar.
According to the Emmert International website: “Emmert International’s BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar is specifically designed to carry heavy (up to 1 million pounds) and oversized loads in such a way that the load itself makes up part of the car. The load is suspended between the two ends of the cars by lifting arms; the lifting arms are connected to a pivot above an assembly of pivots and frames that carry the weight of the load and the lifting arm.”
For loads not designed to be part of the car Emmert International’s BBCX1000 is equipped with a deck designed to carry the loads in standard configuration up to 836,000 pounds. Customized decks can be manufactured to increase the overall payload weight.
Emmert International’s BBCX1000 is equipped with hydraulic equipment that will either lift the load vertically or horizontally shift the load while in transit to clear obstructions along the cars route.
With 20 axles (ten for each half) containing four trucks connected by a complex system of span bolsters its tare (unloaded) weight without deck is 424,000 lbs. The BBCX1000’s empty car length is 115′ 10″ with a maximum length with the loading deck at 168′ 9″. Maximum vertical load shifting ability is 14″ and the maximum horizontal load shifting ability is 22″. The heavy-duty AAR railcar mechanical designation is LS.
Emmert Internationals BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar is accompanied by the BBCX 1002 Caboose and BBCX1003 flat car that carries the deck when not in service. The
BBCX1000 is pulled by special train service and requires 2 operators who control the BBCX 1000 railcar ride in the caboose.
I’ll be posting a video on this move in a few days on my YouTube Channel and here on Facebook, once I get it edited.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 200.
Canadian National 3188 southbound with a load of ethanol
Beautiful day, beautiful sunlight, signs of spring, Canadian National Railways 3188 leading a loaded ethanol train and a nice curve makes for a great picture as it heads south out of Fulton, Tennessee on the Fulton Subdivision on April 3rd, 2021.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 220.
Music City Star train 157 eastbound from downtown Nashville, TN
On March 19th, 2021 Nashville’s Music City Star train #157 heads east out of downtown Nashville, Tennessee as it starts its outbound run and prepares to move onto the Nashville and Eastern tracks as the sun dips toward sunset.
The Music City Star uses the Nashville and Eastern Railroad trackage that runs between Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee and is currently owned and operated by R.J. Corman.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 170mm, f/5, 1/1250, ISO 160.
Music City Star train 156 westbound to downtown Nashville, TN
On March 19th, 2021 Nashville’s Music City Star train #156 makes its reverse move, as it passes under the Shelby Bottoms bridge and rolls through a shaft of sunlight as it also passes the George Reyer Pumping Station on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Music City Star uses the Nashville and Eastern Railroad trackage that runs between Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee and is currently owned and operated by R.J. Corman.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1250, ISO 220.
Music City Star westbound to downtown Nashville, TN
Nashville’s Music City Star train #158 makes its reverse move, with engine 122 trailing, as it passes RJ Cormans Nashville & Eastern Railroad on its way to the riverfront station in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The Nashville and Eastern Railroad (reporting mark NERR) is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Nashville and Eastern was formed in the 1980s to reestablish freight service from Nashville to Lebanon and points east. The railroad currently extends to Monterey where it serves a large sand mining operation. The railroad provides freight shipping services to more than 30 companies. It also runs occasional passenger excursion trains from Nashville to Cookeville or Watertown in cooperation with the Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville. The tracks that it operates were originally operated by the Tennessee Central Railway, which went out of business in 1968.
The railroad is the home of the Music City Star commuter rail service between Nashville and Lebanon. Service began on September 18, 2006. The service is operated by the Regional Transportation Authority, Nashville’s public transportation agency.
NERR has a subsidiary, the Nashville & Western Railroad Corp. (reporting mark NWR), that operates between Nashville and Ashland City on the former western end of the Tennessee Central.
On November 5th, 2018, R.J. Corman Railroad Group announced that it had finalized an agreement to acquire both NERR and NWR as well as Transit Solution Group, operator of the Music City Star commuter trains. R. J. Corman took over operations in January 2019.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.
Northbound across the CR Drawbridge on the Cumberland River at Nashville, TN
CSXT 7779, a rebuilt C40-8 and Canadian Pacific 7027, a rebuilt SD70ACU, pull north across the CR Drawbridge as it departs Nashville, Tennessee on the Nashville Terminal Subdivision with empty ethanol train K442 on March 19th, 2021.
I saw for the first time today where this bridge was open for barge traffic on the Cumberland River and I never knew that it is now a swing bridge! I guess at some point in time it was converted, and the name CR Drawbridge was kept. It was built in 1916 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and I’m not sure when it was changed to a swing bridge. Perhaps someone out there can provide information on this conversion in the comments!
I did find an interesting video from 2016 where the bridge was rehabilitated by PCL Construction that I’ll share in the comments for those that are interested. I’m not sure if this is when it was changed from a draw to a swing bridge or not.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.
Southbound hot intermodal at Sulfur Creek, Springfield, TN
Just a week before the ground here was covered with snow and the temperature was in the teens, a huge difference on March 3rd, 2021 here at the Sulfur Fork bridge just north of Springfield, Tennessee where the day was beautiful and the temperature hovering around 70 degrees!
Here we find CSXT 276 and 904 leading hot intermodal Q029-02 as they head south over the Sulfur Creek bridge on the CSX Henderson Subdivision as they make their way to their final destination of Jacksonville, FL from Chicago, IL.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.
RJ Corman 3802 works Clarksville, Tennessee
On February 23rd, 2021 R.J. Corman (RJC) 3802 & 3804 lead the Cumberland City Turn as they work on dropping and picking up cars at Sanderson Pipe Corporation (SPC) off of International Blvd, in Clarksville, Tennessee on the Memphis Line.
This train is referred to as the Cumberland City turn and departs from Guthrie, Ky weekdays, usually in the morning, runs the Memphis Line to Cumberland City, TN and then returns after working industries like this one along the way.
The yellow structure to the center of the picture is what the employees of the SPC Pipe company attach their safety ropes to as they work on on unloading the cars.
The Memphis Line currently covers just over 113 track miles between Bowling Green, Ky and Cumberland City, TN, servicing 47 customers along the line. It interchanges with CSX on average six days a week at Bowling Green and Guthrie, Ky. The yard office for this line is located at Guthrie.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @116mm f/4.8, 1/1600, ISO 125.