CSX I026, with CSXT 1967 Seaboard Coast Line Heritage Unit as the trailing locomotive, heads north under the I69 overpass at Oak Hill, just south of Mortons Gap, Kentucky on September 1st, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 200
Kansas City Southern 5023 brings up the rear of a loaded ethanol train B647 as CSX I026, with CSXT 1967 Seaboard Coast Line Heritage Unit as the trailing locomotive as they pass them in the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on September 1st, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 200
A lash-up of three of the major railroads, BNSF, UP and CSX lead CSX M513 as they head south across Gum Lick Trestle, just north of Kelly, Kentucky on September 1st, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 340
CSX empty coal train E002, with CSX Pere Marquette Heritage Unit 1899 leading, passes the signals at East Diamond on the cutoff at Madisonville, Ky on August 4th, 2025.
According to a CSX Press Release: May 1, 2024 – CSX has introduced the latest addition in its heritage locomotive series, paying homage to the rich history of the Pere Marquette Railroad. This new unit showcases the Pere Marquette’s legacy, dating back to its inception on November 1, 1899.
The Pere Marquette Railroad, operating in the Great Lakes region of the United States and parts of southern Ontario, Canada, derived its name from Jacques Marquette, a notable French Jesuit missionary credited with founding Michigan’s first European settlement in Sault Ste Marie. After years of operation, the company merged with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) on June 6, 1947, eventually becoming part of the renowned CSX network.
The design of the Pere Marquette heritage locomotive was meticulously crafted by employees at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop. According to CSX Carman Painter Eric Lee, “We had to measure each stripe precisely and position the words just right to ensure it captured the look of the original design. It took us about four days just to lay out the stripes before we could begin painting.”
A fascinating tidbit related to the history of Pere Marquette is its cameo in the 2004 film “The Polar Express.” The steam locomotive Pere Marquette 1225 served as the inspiration for the train depicted in the movie, with audio recordings of the actual locomotive in operation featured in the film. Interestingly, the locomotive had been donated to Michigan State University and was exhibited near the university’s football stadium. The author of “The Polar Express” book drew inspiration from seeing this locomotive on display during childhood, solidifying its place in popular culture.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 260.
CSX empty coal train E002, with CSX Pere Marquette Heritage Unit 1899 leading, waits on the main at East Diamond, as the Paducah and Louisville Railway local takes the lead heading back to their railroad after interchanging with CSX at Madisonville, Ky on August 4th, 2025.
According to a CSX Press Release: May 1, 2024 – CSX has introduced the latest addition in its heritage locomotive series, paying homage to the rich history of the Pere Marquette Railroad. This new unit showcases the Pere Marquette’s legacy, dating back to its inception on November 1, 1899.
The Pere Marquette Railroad, operating in the Great Lakes region of the United States and parts of southern Ontario, Canada, derived its name from Jacques Marquette, a notable French Jesuit missionary credited with founding Michigan’s first European settlement in Sault Ste Marie. After years of operation, the company merged with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) on June 6, 1947, eventually becoming part of the renowned CSX network.
The design of the Pere Marquette heritage locomotive was meticulously crafted by employees at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop. According to CSX Carman Painter Eric Lee, “We had to measure each stripe precisely and position the words just right to ensure it captured the look of the original design. It took us about four days just to lay out the stripes before we could begin painting.”
A fascinating tidbit related to the history of Pere Marquette is its cameo in the 2004 film “The Polar Express.” The steam locomotive Pere Marquette 1225 served as the inspiration for the train depicted in the movie, with audio recordings of the actual locomotive in operation featured in the film. Interestingly, the locomotive had been donated to Michigan State University and was exhibited near the university’s football stadium. The author of “The Polar Express” book drew inspiration from seeing this locomotive on display during childhood, solidifying its place in popular culture.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 110.
CSXT 3372 leads C303 southbound past the signals at the north end of the siding at Slaughters, Kentucky at it heads south on August 27th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. This train runs between Evansville, IN (EVWR) Plant Bowen – Stilesboro, GA and Sugar Camp Mine on the EVWR.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 200
CSXT 5214 leads hot intermodal I026 past the signals at the north end of the siding at Slaughters, Kentucky at it heads north on August 27th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. This train runs between Moncrief Yard at Jacksonville, FL and Bedford Park, IL outside of Chicago, IL.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 190
CSXT The Spirit of our Law Enforcement locomotive 3194 leads a loaded ethanol train across Gum Lick Trestle as they head south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on August 24th, 2025.
From a CSXT past Press Release: CSXT 3194 was renamed to honor our nation’s police officers who dedicate their lives to serve and protect communities across our network.
“CSX is proud of the employee craftsmanship involved in transforming this locomotive into a special commemorative engine,” says Ed Harris, executive vice president of operations. “This is a moving tribute to the men and women who serve us every day and aligns with CSX’s goal to connect military service members, first responders, and their families to the resources and support they need.”
The Spirit of our Law Enforcement joins their collection of Pride in Service locomotives that they have launched – the Spirit of our Armed Forces and the Spirit of our First Responders. When not actively moving customers – freight, the locomotives are made available for special events along the CSX system – extending our culture of service and commitment from our customers to the communities where we operate.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 170
CSXT 3357 leads a southbound loaded coal train as they pass under the I69 overpass between Mortons Gap and Nortonville, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on August 24th, 2025.
Tech Info: Nikon Z6ii, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 480mm, f/6, 1/320, ISO 560
CSXT 855 and 3023 lead empty coal train E304 as it heads north at Anaconda, Robards, Kentucky, passing the newly constructed solar energy farm in the background, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on August 16th, 2025.
Tech Info: 4K Frame Grab from a DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8.
CSXT 7265 leads CSX M513 as it rolls south past empty coal train E904 at Atkinson Yard at Madisonville, Ky, on August 21st, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 110
CSXT 5387 and two Union Pacific units lead loaded ethanol train B621 as they approach Romney, just south of Nortonville, Ky, as they head south on August 21st, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 170
CSX I025. hot intermodal, meets CSX M512 at Kelly, Kentucky as 25 heads south on August 21st, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The loads behind the power on M512 are truck frames bound for a plant somewhere up in Indiana.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 110
In this week’s Saturday Infrared photo, we catch a CSX B621 as it heads south approaching the crossovers at Nortonville, Ky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on August 7th, 2025.
Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @70mm, f/4.5, 1/2000, ISO 400.
This week we start off with the Pere Marquette Heritage Unit leading CSX E002 north at Kelly, Ky and continue with trains between Slaughters and Hopkinsville, Ky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision from the air and ground! Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen and enjoy the trains!! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching!
CSX I025 creeps through the crossing at Robards, Kentucky on August 16th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, since one of it’s cars had a hotbox.
Due to the “hotbox” I025 was delayed by two hours and CSX M502 and I128 sat between here and Sebree, Ky waiting to head north through the crossover here at Anaconda. I025 is the hottest train on the Henderson Subdivision and normally all trains get out of their way as they make their way south.
Tech Info: 4K Frame Grab from a DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8.
CSXT 5350 leads M512 as it passes through the south end of the crossing at Slaughters, Ky with a string of truck frames for a plant somewhere up in Indiana as they head north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on August 15th, 2025.
Tech Info: 4K Frame Grab from a DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8.
Canadian National 2705 leads CSX B211, a loaded ethanol train past the signals at Romney, just south of Nortonville, Kentucky as they make their way south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on August 15th, 2025.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100
Canadian National 2705 leads CSX B211, a loaded ethanol train past the signals at Anaconda at Kelly, Kentucky as they make their way south on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on August 15th, 2025. To the left you can see some of new solar energy fields that have been built between Robards and Sebree, Ky.
Tech Info: 4K Frame Grab from a DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8.
CSX M502 passes a cut of trailers that intermodal CSX I025 set out because of a “hotbox” at the north end of Anaconda, as they proceed on north at Robards, Kentucky on August 16th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 140
CSX I025 backs past cars on the west track that they set out (Top left track) because of a “hotbox” at the north end of Anaconda to pick up the rest of their train so they can proceed on south at Robards, Kentucky on August 16th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.
Due to the “hotbox” I025 was delayed by two hours and CSX M502 and I128 sat between here and Sebree, Ky waiting to head north through the crossover here at Anaconda. I025 is the hottest train on the Henderson Subdivision and normally all trains get out of their way as they make their way south.
Tech Info: 4K Frame Grab from a DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8.