RJ Corman engines set outside the engine house at Guthrie, Ky as their crew prepares to head out for their daily local run to the Clarksville, TN area on February 22nd, 2024, on the RJC Memphis Line. This train is referred to as the Cumberland City turn and departs from Guthrie, Ky weekdays, usually in the morning, runs the Memphis Line to Cumberland City, TN and then returns after working industries like this one along the way. The Memphis Line currently covers just over 113 track miles between Bowling Green, Ky and Cumberland City, TN, servicing 47 customers along the line. It interchanges with CSX on average six days a week at Bowling Green and Guthrie, Ky. The yard office for this line is located at Guthrie. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #csxt #dronephoto #trainsfromadrone #paducahandlouisvillerailroad #trending

RJ Corman engines set outside the engine house at Guthrie, Ky

RJ Corman engines set outside the engine house at Guthrie, Ky as their crew prepares to head out for their daily local run to the Clarksville, TN area on February 22nd, 2024, on the RJC Memphis Line.

This train is referred to as the Cumberland City turn and departs from Guthrie, Ky weekdays, usually in the morning, runs the Memphis Line to Cumberland City, TN and then returns after working industries like this one along the way.

The Memphis Line currently covers just over 113 track miles between Bowling Green, Ky and Cumberland City, TN, servicing 47 customers along the line. It interchanges with CSX on average six days a week at Bowling Green and Guthrie, Ky. The yard office for this line is located at Guthrie.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/200, ISO 110.

RJ Corman Wye Work at Woodburn, Ky Fellow railfan Cooper Smith and I really lucked out when we railfanned the RJ Corman Memphis line on April 14th, 2021. We caught the northbound RJC ML25 at South Union, Kentucky and chased it up to the RJ Corman Distribution Center at Woodburn, Ky. After dropping their power on the wye and pulling one unit off they moved it on north and I got this shot of it just passing the switch before it was put in the track on the right! The train on the left then came out on the main and backed down on the main to pickup the cars and it continued north as MR25 to Louisville. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

RJ Corman Wye Work at Woodburn, Ky

Fellow railfan Cooper Smith and I really lucked out when we railfanned the RJ Corman Memphis line on April 14th, 2021. We caught the northbound RJC MR25 at South Union, Kentucky and chased it up to the RJ Corman Distribution Center at Woodburn, Ky.

After dropping their power on the wye and pulling one unit off they moved it on north and I got this shot of it just passing the switch before it was put in the track on the right! The train on the left then came out on the main and backed down on the main to pickup the cars and it continued north to Bowling Green, Ky.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

The waiting game and a very long lens! On April 14th, 2021 RJ Corman 3801 sits on top of the rise coming north out of their Russellville, Kentucky Distribution Center as they work on connecting to the rest of their train, MR25, in preparation to head north toward Louisville, Kentucky. This shot illustrates just why I really enjoy my long telephoto lens!! This was shot from a public crossing probably ½ mile away from the train sitting here on top of the rise in a small cut and a tunnel of trees! There’s no way I could get this shot and this look without a long lens! It was shot with my Sigma 150-600mm lens with a Sigma 1.4 teleconverter at 850mm!! Having a long lens as part of your camera kit is a must! Also, what you can’t see from this show was just behind me at the crossing, which was a loaded ALCAN train with RJC 3837 leading, that was waiting on the main to head on south after MR25 cleared the tracks. That shot and a video will be coming in the next week, so stay tuned! Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/1000, ISO 1400.

The waiting game and a very long lens!

On April 14th, 2021 RJ Corman 3801 sits on top of the rise coming north out of their Russellville, Kentucky Distribution Center as they work on connecting to the rest of their train, MR25, in preparation to head north toward Louisville, Kentucky.

This shot illustrates just why I really enjoy my long telephoto lens!! This was shot from a public crossing probably ½ mile away from the train sitting here on top of the rise in a small cut and a tunnel of trees! There’s no way I could get this shot and this look without a long lens! It was shot with my Sigma 150-600mm lens with a Sigma 1.4 teleconverter at 850mm!! Having a long lens as part of your camera kit is a must!

Also, what you can’t see from this show was just behind me at the crossing, which was a loaded ALCAN train with RJC 3837 leading, that was waiting on the main to head on south after MR25 cleared the tracks. That shot and a video will be coming in the next week, so stay tuned!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/1000, ISO 1400.

RJ Corman northbound at South Union, Kentucky on the Memphis Line With the exhaust flowing behind the train, RJ Corman’s 3803, 3863 and 3837 lead MR22 northbound on April 14th, 2021 as they pass the 1869 Shaker Tavern at South Union, Kentucky on an overcast spring day. Their next stop is the RJ Corman Railroad Distribution Center outside Russellville, Ky where they cut off this power and another train set combined its train with it and took the train on north on the Memphis Line. According to Roadtrippers.com: “The Shaker Tavern, built in 1869 as a business venture for the South Union Shakers, housed a hotel for the "people of the world." The Shakers leased the building to an outside interest for one hundred dollars a month, leaving its management to the "world." The Shaker Tavern maintained a thriving business for more than forty years, catering to the Victorian railroad travelers who stopped at South Union. The building's architectural features were clearly incorporated to attract the world's people, whose tastes differed dramatically from that of the Shakers. The stark simplicity of the buildings used by the Shakers contrasts greatly with the grand columned facade, intricate brickwork, and the ornate staircase of the Shaker Tavern.” Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

RJ Corman northbound at South Union, Kentucky on the Memphis Line

With the exhaust flowing behind the train, RJ Corman’s 3803, 3863 and 3837 lead MR22 northbound on April 14th, 2021 as they pass the 1869 Shaker Tavern at South Union, Kentucky on an overcast spring day. Their next stop is the RJ Corman Railroad Distribution Center outside Russellville, Ky where they cut off this power and another train set combined its train with it and took the train on north on the Memphis Line.

According to Roadtrippers.com: “The Shaker Tavern, built in 1869 as a business venture for the South Union Shakers, housed a hotel for the “people of the world.” The Shakers leased the building to an outside interest for one hundred dollars a month, leaving its management to the “world.” The Shaker Tavern maintained a thriving business for more than forty years, catering to the Victorian railroad travelers who stopped at South Union. The building’s architectural features were clearly incorporated to attract the world’s people, whose tastes differed dramatically from that of the Shakers. The stark simplicity of the buildings used by the Shakers contrasts greatly with the grand columned facade, intricate brickwork, and the ornate staircase of the Shaker Tavern.”

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

RJ Corman at CSX Crossover, Guthrie, Ky The conductor maintains a 3-point contact as he rides the end ballast car as the engineer on RJ Corman 3802 pushes three loaded ballast cars through the CSX Crossover at the north end of the yard at Guthrie, Kentucky on March 20th, 2021 on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. There used to be a diamond at this location for the RJ Memphis line, but it was changed to a crossover at some point in the past. Now, RJ Corman uses the crossover to access either side of their rail operations at Guthrie. Mostly they run a local on weekdays, which they call the Cumberland City Turn, departing early morning normally and returning late afternoon. They head toward the Bowling Green end of the Memphis Line from here when they have grain cars to pick up or drop off. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 420mm, f/6, 1/640, ISO 160.

RJ Corman at CSX Crossover, Guthrie, Ky

The conductor maintains a 3-point contact as he rides the end ballast car as the engineer on RJ Corman 3802 pushes three loaded ballast cars through the CSX Crossover at the north end of the yard at Guthrie, Kentucky on March 20th, 2021 on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

There used to be a diamond at this location for the RJ Memphis line, but it was changed to a crossover at some point in the past. Now, RJ Corman uses the crossover to access either side of their rail operations at Guthrie. Mostly they run a local on weekdays, which they call the Cumberland City Turn, departing early morning normally and returning late afternoon. They head toward the Bowling Green end of the Memphis Line from here when they have grain cars to pick up or drop off.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 420mm, f/6, 1/640, ISO 160.

RJ Corman 3802 works Clarksville, Tennessee On February 23rd, 2021 R.J. Corman (RJC) 3802 & 3804 lead the Cumberland City Turn as they work on dropping and picking up cars at Sanderson Pipe Corporation (SPC) off of International Blvd, in Clarksville, Tennessee on the Memphis Line. This train is referred to as the Cumberland City turn and departs from Guthrie, Ky weekdays, usually in the morning, runs the Memphis Line to Cumberland City, TN and then returns after working industries like this one along the way. The yellow structure to the center of the picture is what the employees of the SPC Pipe company attach their safety ropes to as they work on on unloading the cars. The Memphis Line currently covers just over 113 track miles between Bowling Green, Ky and Cumberland City, TN, servicing 47 customers along the line. It interchanges with CSX on average six days a week at Bowling Green and Guthrie, Ky. The yard office for this line is located at Guthrie. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @116mm f/4.8, 1/1600, ISO 125.

RJ Corman 3802 works Clarksville, Tennessee

On February 23rd, 2021 R.J. Corman (RJC) 3802 & 3804 lead the Cumberland City Turn as they work on dropping and picking up cars at Sanderson Pipe Corporation (SPC) off of International Blvd, in Clarksville, Tennessee on the Memphis Line.

This train is referred to as the Cumberland City turn and departs from Guthrie, Ky weekdays, usually in the morning, runs the Memphis Line to Cumberland City, TN and then returns after working industries like this one along the way.

The yellow structure to the center of the picture is what the employees of the SPC Pipe company attach their safety ropes to as they work on on unloading the cars.

The Memphis Line currently covers just over 113 track miles between Bowling Green, Ky and Cumberland City, TN, servicing 47 customers along the line. It interchanges with CSX on average six days a week at Bowling Green and Guthrie, Ky. The yard office for this line is located at Guthrie.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @116mm f/4.8, 1/1600, ISO 125.

Workday end is near! The RJ Corman local arrives back at Guthrie, Ky to drop off its interchange work from a long day of picking up and dropping off freight along RJC's Memphis Line, to CSX on the Henderson Subdivision on October 16, 2020. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

RJ Corman local arrives back at Guthrie, Ky

Workday end is near!

The RJ Corman local arrives back at Guthrie, Ky to drop off its interchange work from a long day of picking up and dropping off freight along RJC’s Memphis Line, to CSX on the Henderson Subdivision on October 16, 2020.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

RJC Interchange work The RJ Corman local arrives back at Guthrie from the Memphis Line to drop off its interchange work from the day, as long shadows from the setting sun rake across the scene on the Henderson Subdivision on October 16, 2020. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

The RJ Corman local arrives back at Guthrie, Ky

RJC Interchange work

The RJ Corman local arrives back at Guthrie, Ky from the Memphis Line to drop off its interchange work from the day, as long shadows from the setting sun rake across the scene on the Henderson Subdivision on October 16, 2020.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

Shadows CSX a northbound Q028-15 passes through the CSX yard at Guthrie, Ky as the RJ Corman local arrives back at Guthrie from the Memphis Line to drop off its interchange work from the day, as long shadows from the setting sun rake across the scene on the Henderson Subdivision on October 16, 2020. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CSX Q028 passes RJ Corman Local at Guthrie, Ky

Shadows

CSX a northbound Q028-15 passes through the CSX yard at Guthrie, Ky as the RJ Corman local arrives back at Guthrie from the Memphis Line to drop off its interchange work from the day, as long shadows from the setting sun rake across the scene on the Henderson Subdivision on October 16, 2020.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

December 20, 2019 - RJ Corman's Cumberland City local passes the TVA Cumberland power plant (coal delivered by barge) as it departs Cumberland City, Tennessee on its way back north on the Memphis Line, with RJC 3837 and 3801 leading, after completing its work in Cumberland City for the day.

RJ Corman’s Cumberland City local passes the TVA Cumberland power plant…

December 20, 2019 – RJ Corman’s Cumberland City local passes the TVA Cumberland power plant (coal delivered by barge) as it departs Cumberland City, Tennessee on its way back north on the Memphis Line, with RJC 3837 and 3801 leading, after completing its work in Cumberland City for the day.

December 20, 2019 - RJ Corman's Cumberland City turn local exits the bridge over the Cumberland River as it makes it's return trip northbound on the Memphis Line at Clarksville, Tennessee with RJC 3801 and 3837 leading with their long noses forward elephant style for their return trip to Guthrie, KY. It is a Swing through truss bridge and was constructed in 1891 by the Pencoyd Bridge & Construction Company for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway. It is still an operating bridge on the river and sees at most two trains a day, but most days only one. Trains head to Cumberland City, TN (SB) usually around 9:30am CST and return north on average about 2:30-3:30pm CST.

RJ Corman’s Cumberland City turn local…

December 20, 2019 – RJ Corman’s Cumberland City turn local exits the bridge over the Cumberland River as it makes it’s return trip northbound on the Memphis Line at Clarksville, Tennessee with RJC 3801 and 3837 leading with their long noses forward elephant style for their return trip to Guthrie, KY.

It is a Swing through truss bridge and was constructed in 1891 by the Pencoyd Bridge & Construction Company for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway. It is still an operating bridge on the river and sees at most two trains a day, but most days only one. Trains head to Cumberland City, TN (SB) usually around 9:30am CST and return north on average about 2:30-3:30pm CST.

December 20, 2019 - RJ Corman's Cumberland City turn local exits Palmyra Railroad Tunnel as it makes it's return trip northbound on the Memphis Line at Palmyra, Tennessee with RJC 3801 and 3837 leading with their long noses forward elephant style for their return trip to Guthrie, Ky. Palmyra is a very small town southwest of Clarksville, TN and from what I can find the tunnel is about 800-1000 ft. long. The Memphis line follows the Cumberland River between Clarksville and Cumberland City and here at Palmyra, there is a large bluff overlooking the river which required a tunnel to be blasted through it. The line was originally built by the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad (MC& L) which eventually became part of L&N.

RJ Corman’s Cumberland City turn…

December 20, 2019 – RJ Corman’s Cumberland City turn local exits Palmyra Railroad Tunnel as it makes it’s return trip northbound on the Memphis Line at Palmyra, Tennessee with RJC 3801 and 3837 leading with their long noses forward elephant style for their return trip to Guthrie, Ky.

Palmyra is a very small town southwest of Clarksville, TN and from what I can find the tunnel is about 800-1000 ft. long.

The Memphis line follows the Cumberland River between Clarksville and Cumberland City and here at Palmyra, there is a large bluff overlooking the river which required a tunnel to be blasted through it.

The line was originally built by the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad (MC& L) which eventually became part of L&N.

December 20, 2019 - RJ Corman's Cumberland City local passes the old L&N Railroad Station at Clarksville, Tennessee as it heads south on the Memphis Line with RJC 3837 and 3801 leading as it heads to Cumberland City to do its work for the day. According to Wikipedia: The L & N Train Station is a restored railroad station in Clarksville, Tennessee. It was opened by the Memphis, Clarksville and Louisville Railroad in 1859. It was restored in 1996 to circa 1901 AD condition and includes a diesel locomotive and caboose donated by RJ Corman railroad. It is currently home to the local farmers market and a local art society. It can also be rented out for events. The station was at first widely believed to be the one referenced in The Monkees 1966 song "Last Train to Clarksville", though this turned out to be just a coincidence.

RJ Corman’s Cumberland City local passes the old L&N Railroad Station at Clarksville, Tennessee

December 20, 2019 – RJ Corman’s Cumberland City local passes the old L&N Railroad Station at Clarksville, Tennessee as it heads south on the Memphis Line with RJC 3837 and 3801 leading as it heads to Cumberland City to do its work for the day.

According to Wikipedia: The L & N Train Station is a restored railroad station in Clarksville, Tennessee. It was opened by the Memphis, Clarksville and Louisville Railroad in 1859.

It was restored in 1996 to circa 1901 AD condition and includes a diesel locomotive and caboose donated by RJ Corman railroad. It is currently home to the local farmers market and a local art society. It can also be rented out for events.

The station was at first widely believed to be the one referenced in The Monkees 1966 song “Last Train to Clarksville”, though this turned out to be just a coincidence.

December 20, 2019 - RJ Corman's Cumberland City turn local prepares to cross the bridge over the Cumberland River as it makes it's return trip northbound on the Memphis Line at Clarksville, Tennessee with RJC 3801 and 3837 leading with their long noses forward elephant style for their return trip to Guthrie, Ky. It is a Swing through truss bridge and was constructed in 1891 by the Pencoyd Bridge & Construction Company for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway. It is still an operating bridge on the river and sees at most two trains a day, but most days only one. Trains head to Cumberland City, TN (SB) usually around 9:30am CST and return north on average about 2:30-3:30pm CST.

RJ Corman’s Cumberland City turn at the Cumberland River, Clarksville, TN

December 20, 2019 – RJ Corman’s Cumberland City turn local prepares to cross the bridge over the Cumberland River as it makes it’s return trip northbound on the Memphis Line at Clarksville, Tennessee with RJC 3801 and 3837 leading with their long noses forward elephant style for their return trip to Guthrie, Ky.

It is a Swing through truss bridge and was constructed in 1891 by the Pencoyd Bridge & Construction Company for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway. It is still an operating bridge on the river and sees at most two trains a day, but most days only one. Trains head to Cumberland City, TN (SB) usually around 9:30am CST and return north on average about 2:30-3:30pm CST.

December 20, 2019 - RJ Corman's Cumberland City turn local prepares to enter Palmyra Railroad Tunnel as it makes it's return trip northbound on the Memphis Line at Palmyra, Tennessee with RJC 3801 and 3837 leading with their long noses forward elephant style for their return trip to Guthrie, Ky. Palmyra is a very small town southwest of Clarksville, TN and from what I can find the tunnel is about 800-1000 ft. long. The Memphis line follows the Cumberland River between Clarksville and Cumberland City and here at Palmyra, there is a large bluff overlooking the river which required a tunnel to be blasted through it. The line was originally built by the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad (MC& L) which eventually became part of L&N.

RJ Corman’s Cumberland City turn at Railroad Tunnel

December 20, 2019 – RJ Corman’s Cumberland City turn local prepares to enter Palmyra Railroad Tunnel as it makes it’s return trip northbound on the Memphis Line at Palmyra, Tennessee with RJC 3801 and 3837 leading with their long noses forward elephant style for their return trip to Guthrie, Ky.

Palmyra is a very small town southwest of Clarksville, TN and from what I can find the tunnel is about 800-1000 ft. long.

The Memphis line follows the Cumberland River between Clarksville and Cumberland City and here at Palmyra, there is a large bluff overlooking the river which required a tunnel to be blasted through it.

The line was originally built by the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad (MC& L) which eventually became part of L&N.

December 20, 2019 - The RJ Corman Cumberland City Turn is reflected in a small pond as it crosses over Dunlop Road as it continues its move north on the Memphis Line after making a pickup at Letica Plastics in Clarksville, Tennessee.

RJ Corman Cumberland City Turn at Clarksville, TN

December 20, 2019 – The RJ Corman Cumberland City Turn is reflected in a small pond as it crosses over Dunlop Road as it continues its move north on the Memphis Line after making a pickup at Letica Plastics in Clarksville, Tennessee. A big shout out to fellow railfan Cooper Smith for showing me this line today between Guthrie, Ky and Cumberland City, TN!