Union Pacific Railroad – Page 5 – Jim Pearson Photography

CSX S988 as it heads south through the S Curve at Nortonville, Kentucky

UP 5970 leads CSX S988 as it heads south through the S Curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with two new Brightline Green and Pink commuter train sets, as they head for Florida, on the Henderson Subdivision on July 16th, 2022.

These train sets were built by Siemens in Sacramento, California and are destined for service along Brightlines routes in Florida.

According to Wikipedia: Brightline is a privately run intercity rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida that runs on track owned by Florida East Coast Railway. An extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport is expected to open in 2023.

Brightline is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. Its development started in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries; a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014 and the route opened in January 2018.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

A Union Pacific loaded coal train heads across the bridge over the Kansas River at Kansas City, KS

A Union Pacific loaded coal train heads across the bridge over the Kansas River towards Santa Fe Junction on the Kansas City Terminal Railroad (KCT) High Line at on June 29th, 2022.

The bridge is KCTs double deck, double track crossing of the Kansas River. The odd-looking silver towers on the bridge are lift mechanisms to raise the bridge in the event of flooding and are not connected most of the time. The upper deck line was primarily used by passenger trains from UP and Rock Island, moving to and from Kansas through the KC Union Station. Today primarily freight trains use this bridge.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO.

Union Pacific loaded coal train heads across Santa Fe Junction on the Kansas City, KS at sunset

A Union Pacific loaded coal train heads across Santa Fe Junction on the Kansas City Terminal Railroad (KCT) High Line at sunset as it approaches Tower #3, on June 29th, 2022.

Santa Fe Junction sees on average over 100 trains a day and it hosts the double decked railroad (ATSF Double Deck Railroad) bridge that crosses the Kansas River into Missouri, a triple crossing in addition to Tower 3, which is used by maintenance of way these days. The junction is partly in Missouri and Kansas and sees BNSF, UP, KCT, Amtrak, KCS, NS and CP traffic.

The Kansas City Terminal Railway Company (KCT) is a Class III railroad located in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas. KCT serves as a terminal railroad for its five Class I railroad owners (Union Pacific, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific). Amtrak also operates over the KCT providing passenger service to and from Union Station. Currently the second largest rail hub in the United States, KCT owns and dispatches 95 miles of track spanning Missouri and Kansas.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/8000, ISO 110 underexposed by 3 stops for the sun.

Union Pacific and BNSF pass tower #3 at Santa Fe Junction at Kansas City, KS

Union Pacific 8897 brings up rear as DPU on a grain train as it heads across Santa Fe Junction on the Kansas City Terminal Railroad (KCT) High Line, while BNSF 7767 and 3947 lead a westbound train past Tower #3 on June 30th, 2022.

Santa Fe Junction sees on average over 100 trains a day and it hosts the double decked railroad (ATSF Double Deck Railroad) bridge that crosses the Kansas River into Missouri, a triple crossing in addition to Tower 3, which is used by maintenance of way these days. The junction is partly in Missouri and Kansas and sees BNSF, UP, KCT, Amtrak, KCS, NS and CP traffic, from what I saw during my visit.

The Kansas City Terminal Railway Company (KCT) is a Class III railroad located in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas. KCT serves as a terminal railroad for its five Class I railroad owners (Union Pacific, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific). Amtrak also operates over the KCT providing passenger service to and from Union Station. Currently the second largest rail hub in the United States, KCT owns and dispatches 95 miles of track spanning Missouri and Kansas.

According to the website railfanguides.us Santa Fe Junction Interlocking is easily the busiest location for trains in Kansas City and trains from any of the five railroads which jointly own KCT can be seen here. Tower #3 was closed in 1969 when a central dispatching center replaced it and all the other towers KCT had at the time.

The black bridge is KCTs double deck, double track crossing of the Kansas River. The odd-looking silver towers on the bridge are lift mechanisms to raise the bridge in the event of flooding and are not connected most of the time. The upper deck line was primarily used by passenger trains from UP and Rock Island, moving to and from Kansas through the KC Union Station. Today primarily freight trains use this bridge.

The tracks through the junction have been reduced or changed around over the years, but the area remains one of KCs Busiest locations.

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

Union Pacific 2116 and 1825 lead a mixed freight southbound across the Floyd River at Sioux City, IA

Union Pacific 2116 and 1825 lead a mixed freight southbound across the Floyd River on the Worthington Subdivision amid a maze of bridges at Sioux City, Iowa on June 3rd, 2022, on a beautiful Spring Day.

According to the Sioux City History Website: When Sioux City first began to grow, most people arrived by either steamboat or stagecoach. In the eastern United States, railroads were being built to connect all major cities. The first railroad to develop in Iowa was in 1865, along the Mississippi. However, plans were soon developed to expand the system to all major Iowa cities.

Sioux City developers knew that if the town wanted to become a major city, it would need to be one of the first to have railroad access. Not only did railroads move people, but they also moved materials and manufactured goods.

In the fall of 1866, a large crowd of local businessmen, bankers, and speculators met with a gentleman named W.W. Walker. He was a representative of John Blair, a wealthy eastern railroad developer. Mr. Blair was planning on building the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad. This railroad would connect the city with the main line which ran through Missouri Valley. This would give the city connections all the way to Chicago and back east. All the city and county had to do was provide free land for the tracks and for the depot. The county agreed to donate the land in February of 1867. The deal was struck.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 120.

Union Pacific Railroad freights meet on the MacArthur Bridge at St. Louis, Missouri

Two Union Pacific Railroad freights meet on the MacArthur Bridge on the TRRA MacArthur Subdivision in downtown St. Louis, Missouri on May 21st, 2022, under stormy skies. I really wanted to fly my drone for this shot, but unfortunately this area was a FAA no fly zone for drones.

According to Wikipedia: The MacArthur Bridge is a truss bridge that connects St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois over the Mississippi River. The bridge was initially called the “St. Louis Municipal Bridge” and known popularly as the “Free Bridge” due to the original lack of tolls. Tolls were added for auto traffic beginning in 1932. In 1942, the bridge was renamed for Douglas MacArthur.

Upon completion, the structure was the largest double-deck steel bridge in the world.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 40mm, f/3.5, 1/640, ISO 125.

March 11, 2022, CSX S864, a loaded military train running Rose lake, IL – Hopkinsville, KY pulls south at Mortons Gap, Kentucky

Live from the Air – March 11, 2022, CSX S864, a loaded military train running Rose lake, IL – Hopkinsville, KY pulls south at Mortons Gap, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision with Union Pacific leading. The equipment is returning to Ft. Campbell from training exercises.

Union Pacific 7495 leads CSX 423 south on the Henderson Subdivision from Kelly, KY

Union Pacific 7495 leads CSX K423, a loaded ethanol tank train out of the siding at the south end of the siding at Kelly, Kentucky as it continues its south movement on the CSX Henderson Subdivision with a second UP and a Canadian Pacific unit trailing on November 1st, 2021.

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

CSX W989 with Union Pacific 2603 leading a Florida Brightline Trainset at Nortonville, KY

CSX W989 with Union Pacific 2603 leading snakes through the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with a brand new Brightline inter-city Trainset as it heads south as on the Henderson Subdivision to Florida on October 8th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: Brightline is a privately run inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. Brightline began operating over its current route in January 2018 and the company is currently building an extension to the Orlando International Airport which is expected to enter service in 2022.

As of August 2020, it is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. The line was developed starting in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries, a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014 on stations and improvements to tracks owned by the Florida East Coast Railway, which at the start of construction, was also owned by Fortress (it was sold in January 2018).

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

Brightline inter-city Trainset southbound at CSX Casky Yard, Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Union Pacific 2603 leads a brand new Brightline inter-city Trainset as it heads south as CSX W989 on the Henderson Subdivision at CSX Casky yard in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on its way south to Florida on October 8th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: “Brightline is a privately run inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. Brightline began operating over its current route in January 2018 and the company is currently building an extension to the Orlando International Airport which is expected to enter service in 2022.

As of August 2020, it is the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. The line was developed starting in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries, a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014 on stations and improvements to tracks owned by the Florida East Coast Railway, which at the start of construction, was also owned by Fortress (it was sold in January 2018).

In late 2018, it was announced that Virgin Group would become a minority investor in the railroad and would provide rights to rebrand the service as Virgin Trains USA. In August 2020 they reverted to the Brightline name, ending the branding deal, claiming that Virgin had not provided the agreed investment money.”

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

Engineer Ed Dickens keeps an eye on the track ahead, south of Chester, Illinois

Engineer Ed Dickens keeps an eye on the track ahead as Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 heads north on the UP Chester Subdivision somewhere south of Chester, Illinois, as they make the way to St. Louis, MO during the trains recent tour around central united states on August 28th, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 340mm, f/5.6, 1/1600, ISO 320.

Union Pacific 7814 northbound at Brewerville, Illinois

The crew of Union Pacific 7814 leads a northbound autorack as it crosses the Kaskaskia River on the UP Chester Subdivision at Brewerville, Illinois in Infrared on August 28th, 2021.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, sensor converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @220mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO 200.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 at Brewerville, Illinois

The conductor and others on the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 crew keeps an eye on the tracks ahead as they round the curve after crossing the Kaskaskia River bridge on the UP Chester Subdivision at Brewerville, Illinois, as they make the way to St. Louis, MO, the last stop on this leg of their journey.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 165mm, f/5, 1/1600, ISO 200, August 28, 2021.

Southbound CSX at Corning, Arkansas

A southbound CSX led mixed freight holds at the signals in downtown Corning, Arkansas on Friday, August 27th, 2021, on the UP Hoxie subdivision, as they wait for the arrival of steam locomotive, UP 4014, the big boy in this infrared shot.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @ 70mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO 200.

Union Pacific 4014 northbound at Jacksonville, AR

Union Pacific 4014, the Big Boy, heads north on UPs Hoxie Subdivision at Jacksonville, Arkansas as part of its 2021-month long tour around the United States on August 27th, 2021!

Here engineer Ed Dickens keeps an eye on the tracks ahead as it approaches the N JP Wright Loop Road crossing, perhaps scanning for the legendary the Loop Road Monster (Bigfoot) which has been sighted in this rural area in the past, but there wasnt any sight of him during the big boys run through the area! I guess bigfoot doesnt like steam trains nearly as much as the throngs of railfans that chased it!

UP 4014 is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive that was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

The Big Boy was on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before arriving home in Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 7th.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 150mm, f/6, 1/1600, ISO 320.

Union Pacific 4014 northbound at Newport, AR

Union Pacific steam locomotive 4014, the Big Boy, with its entire train in view, passes the Farmers Elevator complex as it heads north on the UP Hoxie Subdivision at Newport, Arkansas on August 27th, 2021. Here it is on the leg of its trip from Little Rock, AR to Poplar Bluff, MO during its month-long tour around the Union Pacific line.

The Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive which was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York in 1941. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100, August 27, 2021.

UP 4014 northbound on the Hoxie Sub

Engineer Ed Dickens watches the road ahead in this Infrared photograph of the Union Pacific Big Boy, as it approaches a crossing north of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas on the Hoxie Subdivision, during its run between Little Rock and Poplar Bluff on August 27, 2021.

UP 4014 is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive that was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

The Big Boy is on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before heading home to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, sensor converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @200mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO 200.

Union Pacific's 4014, the Big Boy, passes over Corning Lake as it approaches downtown Corning, Arkansas on Friday, August 27th, 2021, as they head north on the UP Hoxie subdivision on its way to Popular Bluff, AR.

The Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive which was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York in 1941. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

According to Wikipedia: "The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959, when it was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California.

In 2013, UP re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In May 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after sitting dormant for almost six decades.

It ran its first excursion, double-headed with Union Pacific 844, three days later on May 4, 2019. Now part of the Union Pacific's heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves."

The Big Boy is currently on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before heading home to Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 7th. For the route and schedule visit: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm to see if it's stopping near you!

Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100, August 27, 2021.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography

Union Pacific 4014 Northbound at Corning, AR

Union Pacific’s 4014, the Big Boy, passes over the Black River as it approaches downtown Corning, Arkansas on Friday, August 27th, 2021, as they head north on the UP Hoxie subdivision on its way to Poplar Bluff, AR.

The Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive which was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York in 1941. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

According to Wikipedia: “The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959, when it was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California.

In 2013, UP re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In May 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after sitting dormant for almost six decades.

It ran its first excursion, double-headed with Union Pacific 844, three days later on May 4, 2019. Now part of the Union Pacific’s heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves.”

The Big Boy is currently on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before heading home to Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 7th. For the route and schedule visit: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm to see if it’s stopping near you!

Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100, August 27, 2021.

An infrared photograph of Union Pacific's 4014, Big Boy as it backs into the static display area at Popular Bluff, Arkansas on UP's Hoxie Subdivision, on August 27th, 2021, during its overnight stop on their month-long tour around the United States.

The Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive which was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York in 1941. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

According to Wikipedia: The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959, when it was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California.

In 2013, UP re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In May 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after sitting dormant for almost six decades.

It ran its first excursion, double-headed with Union Pacific 844, three days later on May 4, 2019. Now part of the Union Pacific's heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 12-24 @24mm, f/4.5, 1/500, ISO 200.

Union Pacific 4014 at Poplar Bluff, MO

An infrared photograph of Union Pacific’s 4014, Big Boy as it backs into the static display area at Popular Bluff, Missouri on UP’s Hoxie Subdivision, on August 27th, 2021, during its overnight stop on their month-long tour around the United States.

The Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive which was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York in 1941. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

According to Wikipedia: “The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959, when it was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California.

In 2013, UP re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In May 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after sitting dormant for almost six decades.

It ran its first excursion, double-headed with Union Pacific 844, three days later on May 4, 2019. Now part of the Union Pacific’s heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves.”

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 12-24 @24mm, f/4.5, 1/500, ISO 200.

Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy on the move!

A Selection of videos from my Union Pacific 4014, Big Boy Chase on August 27th & 28th, 2021 through Arkansas, Missouri & Illinois along the UP Hoxie and Chester Subdivisions.

UP 4014 northbound at Brewerville, Illinois

The crowd was huge at Chester, Illinois and just didn’t want to let the Big Boy leave which delayed its departing from there. This made me and a lot of other railfans stand around at a grade crossing waiting for this shot for over an hour and a half in the 100-degree weather, but it was worth it for my last shot of Union Pacific 4014 on its 2021 tour!

I ended up cropping this shot much tighter than I actually shot it thanks to two guys in cowboy hats that walked down next to the tracks in everyone’s shot, but that stuff happens and after working with this shot, I like how this in-your-face photograph turned out! Sometimes when you’re doing a chase that is a popular as this in the hobby, you just must adjust accordingly as everyone wants their shot, even the cowboys!

Here engineer Ed Dickens and the rest of the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 crew keeps an eye on the tracks ahead as it crosses the Kaskaskia River on the UP Chester Subdivision at Brewerville, Illinois.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 195mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 560, August 28, 2021.