Canadian National 8892 and 5725 lead a grain train southbound on the CN Bluford Subdivision, through the bare forest, after coming across the Metropolis, Illinois Bridge over the Ohio River on December 29th, 2021 at West Paducah, Kentucky.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/160, ISO 140.
LORAM Railgrinder 401 sits south of Princeton, Kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway on a beautiful fall afternoon on November 11th, 2021.
According to Wikipedia: A railgrinder (or rail grinder) is a maintenance of way vehicle or train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend its life and to improve the ride of trains using the track. Rail grinders were developed to increase the lifespan of the tracks being serviced for rail corrugation. Rail grinding is a process that is done to stop the deformation due to use and friction on railroad tracks by removing deformations and corrosion. Railroad tracks that experience continual use are more likely to experience corrugation and overall wear.
Rail grinders are used to grind the tracks when rail corrugation is present, or before corrugation begins to form on the tracks. Major freight train tracks use rail grinders for track maintenance based on the interval of tonnage, rather than time. Transit systems and subways in major cities continue to use scheduled rail grinding processes to combat the corrugation common to heavily used tracks. Rail-grinding equipment may be mounted on a single self-propelled vehicle or on a dedicated rail-grinding train which, when used on an extensive network, may include crew quarters. The grinding wheels, of which there may be more than 100, are set at controlled angles to restore the track to its correct profile.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 140.
Norfolk Southern railway Savannah & Atlanta 1065 Heritage Unit leads NS 167 as it passes through Southern Crossover over the CSX CE&D Subdivision at Princeton, Indiana, on its way east on the NS East-West District on December 3rd, 2021. This unit completes my goal of photographing all the 20 NS Heritage units!
According to the NS Website: Savannah & Atlanta Railway (SR, EMD) began life as the Brinson Railway in 1906, slowly expanding from Savannah toward the Northwest. It was consolidated with other small railroads to become the Savannah & Atlanta in 1917. Central of Georgia bought the S&A in 1951.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130.
Norfolk Southern 4290 leads an empty coal train out of Brownsville, Pennsylvania along the Monongahela River on the NS Mon line on a beautiful fall morning.
According to Wikipedia: The Mon Line is an 85-mile-long Norfolk Southern rail line which runs along the Monongahela River for most of its route.
The predecessor of this line is the Pittsburgh, Virginia, and Charleston Railroad. The northern portion (Pittsburgh to West Brownsville) of the line is the former main line of the Monongahela Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the southern portion (West Brownsville to Waynesburg) was once part of the Monongahela Railway’s Waynesburg Southern Branch.
Its northern terminus was formerly at the junction with the Panhandle Route at the Panhandle Bridge in Pittsburgh, and its southern terminus was near Brownsville, Pennsylvania where it had a connection to the Monongahela Railway.
Conrail transferred the West Brownsville to Waynesburg trackage from the Waynesburg Southern Branch to the former main line of the PRR Monongahela Division and it became the new Mon Line.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 200.
Well, I had to search through my files all the way back to December 16th, 2008 to find a photograph of a train in the snow close to Christmas Day here in Western Kentucky.
Today’s current temperature here in Richland, Ky is 70 degrees, a far cry from the day I captured this southbound intermodal (Q025 in today’s traffic, but not sure back then) as it makes its way through the single tracked S curve at Nortonville, KY on the Henderson Subdivision.
Today this section has been double tracked from just south of Mortons Gap to just north of Mannington, Ky. A big improvement in the flow of trains through this area.
Tech Info: Nikon D300, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/8, 1/250, ISO 250.
Norfolk and Western 475 peeks over the hill as it climbs the grade headed westbound up the long curve coming out of Leaman Place Junction at Paradise, PA, on the Strasburg Railroad as they head toward Strasburg, PA, on November 7th, 2021 in the early morning light.
According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Westerns’ first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 300mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 400.
Norfolk Southern 9790 leads a eastbound intermodal on the NS Reading Number 2 line at Belt Line Junction as it approaches the George Street overpass at Reading, Pennsylvania as the last light of day rakes across the scene on November 4th, 2021. This location is where the Pottsville Branch main starts off the Reading line and heads into the NS Reading Yard.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 70mm, f/4.5, 1/200, ISO 6400.
#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer
Life moves on and so do the trains as in this shot of the Casky to Madisonville, Ky local J732 on its way north through the rubble and derailed Q500 from the tornado that passed through the region on December 10th. Here we find CSXT 5421 and 100 leading the daily local north on the Henderson Subdivision through Barnsley, Ky on December 20th, 2021.
Barnsley was one of many communities that suffered catastrophic damage to the community during the recent tornado. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in this community and even a rescue of two toddlers that took a ride on the tornado. They were in a bathtub and wrapped in blankets by their grandmother, who also walked away from her destroyed home. They were found by two Hopkins County Deputy Sheriffs and other rescue workers safe and sound with no physical injuries.
If youd like to watch the actual rescue it is in last Sunday’s 60 Minutes broadcast about the storm. Its available online.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 200.
Norfolk & Western Steam Locomotive 475 heads west on the Strasburg Railroad against the rising sun as it illuminates the sky behind the train and steam, with the cold November air producing a spectacular show of steam trailing over the train, as they approach the Esbenshade Road Crossing on November 7th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Westerns’ first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive. Strasburg Rail Road
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 32mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.
#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer
Everett Railroad #11 heads through the countryside after crossing over the Juniata River bridge at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania during a Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special on November 6th, 2021.
According to their website: Steam locomotive number 11 was constructed in 1920 by the Cooke Works of the American Locomotive Company (Alco) in Paterson, New Jersey. It is a “2‑6‑0” or “Mogul” type and was one of 54 engines of four different wheel arrangements built between 1920 and 1925 intended for export to Cuba and use in that country’s sugar cane fields.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 120.
Norfolk and Western 475, coming off the “Long Curve” into the Beilers/Carpenters Graveyard area, passes through what many refer to as the “Tree Tunnel” during the Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special on the Strasburg Railroad at Ronks, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021 in the early morning light.
According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 95mm, f/4.5, 1/400, ISO 220.
Engineer Keith Linker keeps a watchful eye on the road ahead, from the cab of Norfolk and Western 475, as he pulls his train forward in the siding at Groff’s, during a Historic Transport Preservation, Inc, Steam Special on the Strasburg Railroad at Strasburg, Pennsylvania on November 7th, 2021.
According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 20mm, f/4.5, 1/800, ISO 1100.
Norfolk Southern railway 4024 leads NS 125 east across the Patoka River at Winslow, Indiana after departing Ayrshire, eastbound on the NS Southern East District on December 3rd, 2021.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.
The waiting game! The long shadows from a group of railfans provide an interesting frame as they wait, along with the crew of Norfolk and Western 475, at Groff’s Siding on the Strasburg Railroad, on November 7th, 2021, at Strasburg, Pennsylvania for a westbound passenger train to pass.
According to Wikipedia: Strasburg Railroad (Norfolk and Western) No. 475 is a 4-8-0 “Mastodon” type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Strasburg Railroad outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June 1906, it was part of the Norfolk and Western’s first order of M class numbered 375-499. Today, No. 475 is the only operating 4-8-0 type in North America and the Strasburg Rail Road’s oldest operating steam locomotive.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24mm @ 17mm, f/4.2, 1/1600, ISO 500.
December 13, 2021 – With the CSX Henderson Subdivision between Earlington and Mortons Gap line back open to traffic and surrounded by a flattened landscape, CSX X648 makes its way north through Barnsley, Kentucky, past the site of the December 10th tornado that derailed CSX Q500 and devastated the small community and many others along its path through 6 states.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 110.
December 10, 2021 – CSX W810, with BNSF 6277 sits at Arklow, just north of Madisonville, Kentucky as it waits for the arrival of the southbound hot intermodal I025 on the Henderson Subdivision. K810 was running with BNSF 6277,3954,6356 leading and CSXT 3155, NS 8084, NS 1005 as DPUs.
The storm clouds in the background were the first signs of the major tornado and storm out break that created a path of destruction across 6 states and derailed CSX Q500 later in the night.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 200.
December 11, 2021 – CSX Q500 derailed on the Henderson Subdivision between Earlington and Mortons Gap, Ky on the night of December 10th due to the tornado that swept through the area at about 11pm causing major damage along its path.
According to news reports this tornado was on the ground through 6 states and caused major damage along its path including deaths. The crew on the train weathered the storm just fine thankfully. Prayers to all those who have been affected by this devastating storm!
Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 200.
While cleaning my office I ran across this photo of a power move led by CSXT 8734 from June 5th, 2004 at Robards, Kentucky, heading southbound on the Henderson Subdivision. I wish I had kept better records back then like I do now, but as you can tell from the photo, CSXT 8734 has HLCX 7190 trailing, with 2 more CSX units and then the last 8 of the twelve engines are all CN (GTW) units. I’m pretty sure that probably the CN units were all dead in tow for the move. No clue of what the train ID would have been.
Tech Info: Nikon D100, JPG, Nikon 24mm, f/14, 1/400, ISO 400.
#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer
Norfolk Southern 7603 and 8410 approach the western entrance to the Gallitzin Tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania as they head west on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line on November 3rd, 2021, with an empty coal train.
According to Wikipedia: The Gallitzin Tunnels in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, are a set of three adjacent tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains in western Pennsylvania. They were completed in 1854, 1855, and 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of the cross-state route that includes the nearby Horseshoe Curve to the east. Their ownership has since passed to Penn Central Transportation Company, then to Conrail, and most recently to the Norfolk Southern Railway. The tunnels are currently used by Norfolk Southern freight trains and Amtrak Pennsylvanian passenger trains.
The first tunnel, which is the middle of the three bores through the mountain, was built by the PRR from 1851 to 1854. Originally named “Summit” Tunnel, it is 3,612 feet long at an elevation of 2,167 feet above mean sea level and is known today as the Allegheny Tunnel.
The second tunnel, the southernmost of the bores, was constructed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1852 to 1855 as part of the New Portage Railroad (NPRR). In 1857, the PRR bought the New Portage Railroad from the Commonwealth and appropriated the “Allegheny” name for its “Summit” tunnel. The PRR took the New Portage Tunnel out of service shortly thereafter. In the 1890s, it was expanded to two tracks and used as the primary route for eastbound traffic.
The third tunnel, the Gallitzin Tunnel, was begun in 1902 and opened in 1904 immediately to the north of the Allegheny Tunnel.
In the early 1990s, Conrail (with money from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) enlarged the Allegheny and New Portage Tunnels to accommodate double-stack container on flatcar (COFC) trains. The New Portage Tunnel was opened for eastbound COFC traffic in 1993. The Allegheny Tunnel was enlarged from its original 1854 cross-section to contain two tracks for that could be used for double-stack rail transport in either direction. The work was completed in September 1995, and the Gallitzin Tunnel (which was not enlarged) was taken out of service.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 22mm, f/4.5, 1/800, ISO 560.