Canadian National 3270 leads a mixed freight as it snakes its way out of the yard at Fulton, Ky after a crew change, as they head north up the CN Cairo Subdivision, on March 25th, 2023. 

I’m told that on average 40-60 trains a day pass through Fulton, Ky, making it a busy place! Railfanning is best in the morning and the afternoon into the evening. The CN Cairo, CN Fulton Subdivisions and the West Tennessee Railroad all come together here at Fulton. Also, Amtrak has a depot here and is a flag stop for the City of New Orleans, and is an unstaffed station; with no agent and no assistance.

The first railroad deed was sold in 1857, and construction reached Pontotoc in 1859. At that time Fulton was referred to as the “end of the line” by the United States Government and all mail was addressed to this extent. In 1896, the Illinois Central Railroad owned the two railroad lines that crossed Fulton, which saw 30 passenger trains a day and 3,000 freight cars that picked up or delivered cargo. The freight cars would usually have bananas that would stop in Fulton to be re-iced and then shipped to rest of the country. Through this process, Fulton became known as the "Banana Capital of the World".

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 220.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #kentuckytrains #csx #csxrailway #FultonKy #mavic3classic #drones #trainsfromtheair #trainsfromadrone

Canadian National 3270 leads a mixed freight as it snakes its way out of the yard at Fulton, Ky

Canadian National 3270 leads a mixed freight as it snakes its way out of the yard at Fulton, Ky after a crew change, as they head north up the CN Cairo Subdivision, on March 25th, 2023.

I’m told that on average 10-15 trains a day pass through Fulton, Ky, making it a busy place! Railfanning is best in the morning and the afternoon into the evening. The CN Cairo, CN Fulton Subdivisions and the West Tennessee Railroad all come together here at Fulton. Also, Amtrak has a depot here and is a flag stop for the City of New Orleans, and is an unstaffed station; with no agent and no assistance.

The first railroad deed was sold in 1857, and construction reached Pontotoc in 1859. At that time Fulton was referred to as the “end of the line” by the United States Government and all mail was addressed to this extent. In 1896, the Illinois Central Railroad owned the two railroad lines that crossed Fulton, which saw 30 passenger trains a day and 3,000 freight cars that picked up or delivered cargo. The freight cars would usually have bananas that would stop in Fulton to be re-iced and then shipped to rest of the country. Through this process, Fulton became known as the “Banana Capital of the World”.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 220.

Norfolk Southern 1053 and Grand Trunk 5860 in original paint, lead and empty rail train through the countryside between Union City, TN and Fulton, Ky as they head north on the CN Fulton Subdivision, on March 25th, 2023.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 110.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #kentuckytrains #csx #csxrailway #csxhendersonsubdivision #BretonKy #mavic3classic #drones #trainsfromtheair #trainsfromadrone

Rail Train with NS and GTW Power northbound on the CN Fulton Subdivision, Union City, TN

Norfolk Southern 1053 and Grand Trunk 5860 in original paint, lead and empty rail train through the countryside between Union City, TN and Fulton, Ky as they head north on the CN Fulton Subdivision, on March 25th, 2023.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 110.

Canadian Pacific 8830 heads up CSX 212 as it clears the signal at the north end of Casky with a train with Phosphate Empties, as it heads south from Bensenville, IL (CP) to Mulberry, FL, on March 18th, 2023, at Hopkinsville, Ky on the Henderson Subdivision. 

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 110.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #kentuckytrains #csx #csxrailway #csxhendersonsubdivision #mavic3classic #drones #trainsfromtheair #trainsfromadrone #canadianpacificrailroad #HopkinsvilleKy

Canadian Pacific 8830 heads up CSX 212 as it clears the signal at the north end of Casky, Hopkinsville, Ky

Canadian Pacific 8830 heads up CSX 212 as it clears the signal at the north end of Casky with a train with Phosphate Empties, as it heads south from Bensenville, IL (CP) to Mulberry, FL, on March 18th, 2023, at Hopkinsville, Ky on the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 110.

March 4th, 2023 – Episode 9 – This week’s edited rail video features CSX, CN, UP and PAL Power!

March 4th, 2023 – Episode 9 – In this week’s edited rail video we catch rail action on the CSX Henderson Subdivision and Paducah and Louisville Railway! In addition to CSX and PAL power we also see Canadian National and Union Pacific power! Enjoy and please Like, Share and Subscribe!

May 27, 2019 - Canadian Pacific 8867 pulls CSX V752-26 empty grain train westbound away from the Depot on the New River Subdivision at Thurmond, West Virginia. The line off to the right across the bridge is the RJ Corman West Virginia Line. 

According to Wikipedia,  Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was five at the 2010 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with a number of businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The town was the filming location for John Sayles' 1987 movie Matewan since it still possesses many of the characteristics of a 1920s Appalachian coal town.

Today, much of Thurmond is owned by the National Park Service for the New River Gorge National River. The C&O passenger railway depot in town was renovated in 1995 and now functions as a Park Service visitor center. The entire town is a designated historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photography/Art Challenge – Day 7 of 10

My Railroad Photography as Art

My niece Kelly R Gates Kelly Gates has nominated me to share my artwork for 10 days and to nominate another artist to do the same. My take on this challenge is to create what I consider photographic Art pieces from some of my railroad photography.

Now, I realize there are now AI programs out there these days that can create just about any type of art pieces for you with just words, but as most of you know I’m a visual person and all the pieces I post over the next 10 days will be created in Photoshop by me from photographs I have shot, not with AI Software.

I know that this type of art isn’t for everyone, but I do like to get outside the box and my comfort zone from time to time, as I think it’s good for my creative eye. I’d appreciate your constructive thoughts and comments!

For today’s digital photographic art piece, I’ve selected this shot from May 27, 2019, of Canadian Pacific 8867 pulling CSX V752-26 empty grain train westbound away from the Depot on the New River Subdivision at Thurmond, West Virginia. The line off to the right across the bridge is the RJ Corman West Virginia Line.

On Day 7 I nominate fellow railfan photographer Ethan Brodie of Brodie Photography Brodie Photography to share his art (whatever type he wants to share) ~ I know he has plenty as he hopefully joins in on the 10-day art challenge!!!!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @32mm, f/9, 1/500, ISO 320, Available for purchase in my store at https://pixels.com/featured/digital-art-canadian-pacific-8867-jim-pearson.html

Canadian National 2233 and Union Pacific 7845 head up a southbound grain train as the daily BNSF local sits on the track to the left waiting to head north at Chiles Junction in West Paducah, Kentucky on November 23rd, 2022. The BNSF local has just dropped off and picked up its interchange work with the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Paducah and waiting its turn to head across the Ohio River toward Metropolis, Illinois.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #BNSF #unionpacific #trainsfromtheair #kentuckytrains #canadiannational

CN and BNSF meet at Chiles Junction in West Paducah, KY

Canadian National 2233 and Union Pacific 7845 head up a southbound grain train as the daily BNSF local sits on the track to the left waiting to head north at Chiles Junction in West Paducah, Kentucky on November 23rd, 2022. The BNSF local has just dropped off and picked up its interchange work with the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Paducah and waiting its turn to head across the Ohio River toward Metropolis, Illinois.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

Canadian National 5651 leads a empty grain train out of the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois as it heads north on the Centralia Subdivision on April 27th, 2022, with another CN and BNSF unit trailing, as they pass over the ICG Crossing.

Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad, which was built in 1853. The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged and today the line is owned by the Canadian National, although BNSF and Norfolk Southern also have a presence here now. 

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Canadian National 5651 leads a empty grain train out of the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois

Canadian National 5651 leads a empty grain train out of the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois as it heads north on the Centralia Subdivision on April 27th, 2022, with another CN and BNSF unit trailing, as they pass over the ICG Crossing.

Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad, which was built in 1853. The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged and today the line is owned by the Canadian National, although BNSF and Norfolk Southern also have a presence here now.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150.

Illinois Central Death Star locomotive 6250 sits dead in tow as the third unit, behind a CN and Norfolk southern unit, as they work on dropping off and picking up cars at the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois on CN A432 on April 27th, 2022.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 200.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Illinois Central Death Star locomotive 6250 sits dead in tow at Centrailia, Illinois on CS A432

Illinois Central Death Star locomotive 6250 sits dead in tow as the third unit, behind a CN and Norfolk southern unit, as they work on dropping off and picking up cars at the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois on CN A432 on April 27th, 2022.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 200.

The crew on Canadian National 5261, with Illinois Central Caboose 199060 which has seen much better days, works on a pickup at Mounds, Illinois on the CN Centralia Subdivision during a wet, gloomy evening on December 29th, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm @ 10mm, f/3.5, 1/200, ISO 1110.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Canadian National 5261, with Illinois Central Caboose 199060 at Mounds, Illinois

The crew on Canadian National 5261, with Illinois Central Caboose 199060 which has seen much better days, works on a pickup at Mounds, Illinois on the CN Centralia Subdivision during a wet, gloomy evening on December 29th, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm @ 10mm, f/3.5, 1/200, ISO 1110.

Canadian National 3035 and Canadian Pacific 8005 head south with a grain train as they pass a stack of old ties at the north end of Chiles Junction at West Paducah, Kentucky on the CN Bluford Subdivision. 

Fellow railfan Ryan Scott and I of SteelRails on Facebook, set out early yesterday morning on January 15th, 2022, and made our way up the Paducah and Louisville Railway line out of Madisonville, Ky in search of the snow front that was headed through the area. Well, all we found in our travels were flurries, but we did catch a variety of railroads during the trip which were CN, CP, BNSF and Progress Rail! All in all, a good trip!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 200.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Canadian National 3035 and Canadian Pacific 8005 head south at West Paducah, KY

Canadian National 3035 and Canadian Pacific 8005 head south with a grain train as they pass a stack of old ties at the north end of Chiles Junction at West Paducah, Kentucky on the CN Bluford Subdivision.

Fellow railfan Ryan Scott and I of SteelRails on Facebook, set out early yesterday morning on January 15th, 2022, and made our way up the Paducah and Louisville Railway line out of Madisonville, Ky in search of the snow front that was headed through the area. Well, all we found in our travels were flurries, but we did catch a variety of railroads during the trip which were CN, CP, BNSF and Progress Rail! All in all, a good trip!

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois as it pulls south into the yard on December 29th, 2021, with Illinois Central units 1005 and 1022 leading the way.

The Centralia Subdivision formerly belonged to the Illinois Central Railroad and was constructed between 1854-1855. The double trackage was added between 1900-1902 and the line runs between Centralia and Cairo, Illinois. 

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 110.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois as it pulls south into the yard on December 29th, 2021, with Illinois Central units 1005 and 1022 leading the way.

The Centralia Subdivision formerly belonged to the Illinois Central Railroad and was constructed between 1854-1855. The double trackage was added between 1900-1902 and the line runs between Centralia and Cairo, Illinois.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 110.

There's nothing I love more than catching a splash of color in a otherwise gray landscape as I’ve done here of Canadian National 8892 and 5725 leads a grain train southbound on the CN Bluford Subdivision, 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, 1/180, ISO 100.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Canadian National 8892 and 5725 leads a grain train southbound on the CN Bluford Subdivision

There’s nothing I love more than catching a splash of color in a otherwise gray landscape as I’ve done here of Canadian National 8892 and 5725 leads a grain train southbound on the CN Bluford Subdivision, 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, 1/180, ISO 100.

Canadian National A403 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois as it pulls south into the yard on December 29th, 2021, with Illinois Central units 1005 and 1022 leading the way.


The Centralia Subdivision formerly belonged to the Illinois Central Railroad and was constructed between 1854-1855. The double trackage was added between 1900-1902 and the line runs between Centralia and Cairo, Illinois. 


Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100.


#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois as it pulls south into the yard on December 29th, 2021, with Illinois Central units 1005 and 1022 leading the way.

The Centralia Subdivision formerly belonged to the Illinois Central Railroad and was constructed between 1854-1855. The double trackage was added between 1900-1902 and the line runs between Centralia and Cairo, Illinois.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100.

Canadian National 8892 and 5725 lead a grain train southbound on the CN Buford 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.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Canadian National 8892 and 5725 lead a southbound grain train at West Paducah, KY

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.

CN U72481-05 shadow move at West Paducah, KY

Canadian National U72481-05 heads southbound over the Ohio River bridge between Metropolis, IL and West Paducah, KY carrying a load of Iron ore from Keenan, MN to Convent, LA on the CN Bluford Subdivision as it and the bridge cast long and deep shadows on the waters below on May 7th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: The Mesabi Iron Range is a mining district in northeastern Minnesota following an elongate trend containing large deposits of iron ore. It is the largest of four major iron ranges in the region collectively known as the Iron Range of Minnesota. First described in 1866, it is the chief iron ore mining district in the United States. The district is located largely in Itasca and Saint Louis counties. It has been extensively worked since 1892 and has seen a transition from high-grade direct shipping ores through gravity concentrates to the current industry exclusively producing iron ore (taconite) pellets.

There are three iron ranges in northern Minnesota, the Cuyuna, the Vermilion, and the Mesabi. Most of the world's iron ore, including that contained in northern Minnesota, was formed during the middle Precambrian period.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

CN U72481-05 shadow move at West Paducah, KY

Canadian National U72481-05 heads southbound over the Ohio River bridge between Metropolis, IL and West Paducah, KY carrying a load of Iron ore from Keenan, MN to Convent, LA on the CN Bluford Subdivision as it and the bridge cast long and deep shadows on the waters below on May 7th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: The Mesabi Iron Range is a mining district in northeastern Minnesota following an elongate trend containing large deposits of iron ore. It is the largest of four major iron ranges in the region collectively known as the Iron Range of Minnesota. First described in 1866, it is the chief iron ore mining district in the United States. The district is located largely in Itasca and Saint Louis counties. It has been extensively worked since 1892 and has seen a transition from high-grade direct shipping ores through gravity concentrates to the current industry exclusively producing iron ore (taconite) pellets.

There are three iron ranges in northern Minnesota, the Cuyuna, the Vermilion, and the Mesabi. Most of the world’s iron ore, including that contained in northern Minnesota, was formed during the middle Precambrian period.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.