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
Norfolk Southern 4544 leads a loaded coal train north from the Do Stop crossing, just south of Caneyville, Kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL), on August 26th, 2025. Currently NS has been running a set of two of these trains on the PAL (empty Southbound and loaded Northbound) and they seem to alternate between loading at Warrior Coal Loop outside Madisonville, and Calvert City Loadout at Calvert City, Ky.
Tech Info: 4K Video Frame Grab from a DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone.
Paducah and Louisville Railway 4503 and 4521 lead a loaded Louisville, Gas and Electric coal train north across the drawbridge at Rockport, Kentucky, on August 26th, 2025.
According to Wikipedia: The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) is a Class II railroad that operates freight service between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky. The line is located entirely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The 270-mile (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August of 1986.
Tech Info: 4K Frame Grab from a DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone.
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.
Paducah and Louisville Railway 4503 and 4521 lead a loaded Louisville, Gas and Electric coal train north as they pull through a curve, just south of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, on August 26th, 2025.
According to Wikipedia: The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) is a Class II railroad that operates freight service between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky. The line is located entirely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The 270-mile (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August of 1986.
Tech Info: Nikon Z6ii, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 250mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 450
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
In this week’s Saturday Infrared photo, we catch a CSX 7418 leading CSX M512 with a long string of truck frames, as they pass under the US 41 overpass at Mortons Gap, Ky on their way north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on August 7th, 2025.
Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @ 200mm, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO 400.
This week we catch a variety of Paducah & Louisville Railway and CSX trains between Madisonville and Crofton, Kentucky 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!
Paducah and Louisville Railway 2013 University of Louisville locomotive brings up the rear as the DPU on a northbound loaded Louisville, Gas and Electric coal train as they pass through the valley at Do Stop, just south of Caneyville, Kentucky, on August 26th, 2025.
According to Wikipedia: The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) is a Class II railroad that operates freight service between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky. The line is located entirely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The 270-mile (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August of 1986.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100
Paducah and Louisville Railway 4503 and 4521 lead a loaded Louisville, Gas and Electric coal train north as they pass through the valley at Do Stop, just south of Caneyville, Kentucky, on August 26th, 2025.
According to Wikipedia: The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) is a Class II railroad that operates freight service between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky. The line is located entirely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The 270-mile (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August of 1986.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130
Paducah and Louisville Railway 4503 and 4521 lead a loaded Louisville, Gas and Electric coal train north at Central City, Kentucky, on August 26th, 2025.
According to Wikipedia: The Paducah & Louisville Railway (reporting mark PAL) is a Class II railroad that operates freight service between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky. The line is located entirely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The 270-mile (430 km) line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August of 1986.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 250
Norfolk Southern 4544 leads a loaded coal train north as it approaches Do Stop crossing, just south of Caneyville, Kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL), on August 26th, 2025. Currently NS has been running a set of two of these trains on the PAL (empty Southbound and loaded Northbound) and they seem to alternate between loading at Warrior Coal Loop outside Madisonville, and Calvert City Loadout at Calvert City, Ky.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 250
CSX M688 heads north across the Ohio River on the 14th Street Bridge (Louisville and Indiana (L&I) Bridge) at Louisville, Ky on July 28th, 2025. This bridge carries traffic for the Louisville and Indiana, along with the CSX Railroad. In the background is downtown Louisville, Ky.
According to Wikipedia: The Fourteenth Street Bridge, also known as the Ohio Falls Bridge, Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge, Conrail Railroad Bridge or Louisville and Indiana (L&I) Bridge, is a truss drawbridge that spans the Ohio River, between Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana.
Built by the Louisville Bridge Company and completed in 1870, the bridge was operated for many years by the Pennsylvania Railroad, giving the company its only access to Kentucky. Ownership of the railroad and the bridge passed on to Penn Central and later Conrail, which then sold the line from Louisville to Indianapolis, Indiana to the Louisville and Indiana Railroad, the current bridge owner.
The draw portion of the bridge is a vertical-lift span, built in about 1918 in place of a swing span. The towers and machinery of the lift span were designed by Waddell and Son, Inc., and there is a plaque on the SW tower reading, “Waddell Vertical Lift Bridge, Waddell and Son, 1917”. The draw span is across the upstream end of the Louisville and Portland Canal, which includes the McAlpine Locks and Dam. Ohio River traffic passes through this canal to navigate past the Falls of the Ohio.
Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 110.
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