CSX southbound work train over the Tennessee River, New Johnsonville, TN CSXT 5419 heads up work train J056 as it heads south across the bridge on the Tennessee River at New Johnsonville, Tennessee on the CSX Bruceton Subdivision. This railroad bridge crosses over the Tennessee River at New Johnsonville, TN and connects Humpreys and Benton Counties and runs next to the Hickman Lockhart Memorial highway Bridge. It is a multiple through truss bridge with vertical lift section for barge traffic, was built in 1945, and still in use. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

CSX southbound work train over the Tennessee River, New Johnsonville, TN

CSXT 5419 heads up work train J056 as it heads south across the bridge on the Tennessee River at New Johnsonville, Tennessee on the CSX Bruceton Subdivision.

This railroad bridge crosses over the Tennessee River at New Johnsonville, TN and connects Humpreys and Benton Counties and runs next to the Hickman Lockhart Memorial highway Bridge. It is a multiple through truss bridge with vertical lift section for barge traffic, was built in 1945, and still in use.

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

Kentucky-West Tennessee Railway 1809 and 304 depart Dresden, TN Today was my first ever catch of this shortline railroad, the Kentucky-West Tennessee (KWT) Railway. Here we find Z978 as it pulls through a tunnel of trees and undulating tracks as it departs Dresden, Tennessee on May 10th, 2021 on the KWT's run between Dresden and McKenzie, Tennessee. The KWT is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad who owns or leases 116 railroads across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. The KWT Owns or leases 72 miles of track between Kentucky and Tennessee and interchanges with the CSX at Bruceton, TN. It was bought by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad in 2005. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/500, ISO 900.

Kentucky-West Tennessee Railway 1809 and 304 depart Dresden, TN

Today was my first ever catch of this shortline railroad, the Kentucky-West Tennessee (KWT) Railway. Here we find Z978 as it pulls through a tunnel of trees and undulating tracks as it departs Dresden, Tennessee on May 10th, 2021 on the KWT’s run between Dresden and McKenzie, Tennessee.

The KWT is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad who owns or leases 116 railroads across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. The KWT Owns or leases 72 miles of track between Kentucky and Tennessee and interchanges with the CSX at Bruceton, TN. It was bought by the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad in 2005.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm with a 1.4 teleconverter @ 850mm, f/9, 1/500, ISO 900.

Southbound W992-28 High and Wide Move over the Red River at Adams, Tennessee When you're running at 25 mph and only 5 mph through switches, it pretty much takes forever to get anywhere as with CSX W992-28 as it heads south across the Red River trestle at Adams, Tennessee on the CSX Henderson Subdivision with CSXT #9 leading on May 5th, 2021. It left Evansville, Indiana around midnight and ended up tying down at Courtland, TN where it covered 125 miles in about 12 hours. Based on past moves this looks like another GE generator that is bound for Florida. Still trying to find out and will add it to the caption once I do. This was an Emmert International train move with CSXT #9 as power and BBCX 1002 as the trailing manned caboose with what appeared to be a steam generator of some sort that was being hauled on their BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar. According to the Emmert International website: "Emmert International's BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar is specifically designed to carry heavy (up to 1 million pounds) and oversized loads in such a way that the load itself makes up part of the car. The load is suspended between the two ends of the cars by lifting arms; the lifting arms are connected to a pivot above an assembly of pivots and frames that carry the weight of the load and the lifting arm." For loads not designed to be part of the car Emmert International's BBCX1000 is equipped with a deck designed to carry the loads in standard configuration up to 836,000 pounds. Customized decks can be manufactured to increase the overall payload weight. Emmert International's BBCX1000 is equipped with hydraulic equipment that will either lift the load vertically or horizontally shift the load while in transit to clear obstructions along the cars route. With 20 axles (ten for each half) containing four trucks connected by a complex system of span bolsters its tare (unloaded) weight without deck is 424,000 lbs. The BBCX1000's empty car length is 115' 10" with a maximum length with the loading deck at 168' 9". Maximum vertical load shifting ability is 14" and the maximum horizontal load shifting ability is 22". The heavy-duty AAR railcar mechanical designation is LS’. Emmert Internationals BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar is accompanied by the BBCX 1002 Caboose and BBCX1003 flat car that carries the deck when not in service. The BBCX1000 is pulled by special train service and requires 2 operators who control the BBCX 1000 railcar ride in the caboose. I'll be posting a video on this move in a few days on my YouTube Channel and here on Facebook, once I get it edited. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 200.

Southbound W992-28 High and Wide Move over the Red River at Adams, Tennessee

When you’re running at 25 mph and only 5 mph through switches, it pretty much takes forever to get anywhere as with CSX W992-28 as it heads south across the Red River trestle at Adams, Tennessee on the CSX Henderson Subdivision with CSXT #9 leading on May 5th, 2021. It left Evansville, Indiana around midnight and ended up tying down at Courtland, TN where it covered 125 miles in about 12 hours.

Based on past moves this looks like another GE generator that is bound for Florida. Still trying to find out and will add it to the caption once I do.

This was an Emmert International train move with CSXT #9 as power and BBCX 1002 as the trailing manned caboose with what appeared to be a steam generator of some sort that was being hauled on their BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar.

According to the Emmert International website: “Emmert International’s BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar is specifically designed to carry heavy (up to 1 million pounds) and oversized loads in such a way that the load itself makes up part of the car. The load is suspended between the two ends of the cars by lifting arms; the lifting arms are connected to a pivot above an assembly of pivots and frames that carry the weight of the load and the lifting arm.”

For loads not designed to be part of the car Emmert International’s BBCX1000 is equipped with a deck designed to carry the loads in standard configuration up to 836,000 pounds. Customized decks can be manufactured to increase the overall payload weight.

Emmert International’s BBCX1000 is equipped with hydraulic equipment that will either lift the load vertically or horizontally shift the load while in transit to clear obstructions along the cars route.

With 20 axles (ten for each half) containing four trucks connected by a complex system of span bolsters its tare (unloaded) weight without deck is 424,000 lbs. The BBCX1000’s empty car length is 115′ 10″ with a maximum length with the loading deck at 168′ 9″. Maximum vertical load shifting ability is 14″ and the maximum horizontal load shifting ability is 22″. The heavy-duty AAR railcar mechanical designation is LS’.

Emmert Internationals BBCX1000 Schnabel Railcar is accompanied by the BBCX 1002 Caboose and BBCX1003 flat car that carries the deck when not in service. The

BBCX1000 is pulled by special train service and requires 2 operators who control the BBCX 1000 railcar ride in the caboose.

I’ll be posting a video on this move in a few days on my YouTube Channel and here on Facebook, once I get it edited.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 200.

Canadian National 3188 southbound with a load of ethanol Beautiful day, beautiful sunlight, signs of spring, Canadian National Railways 3188 leading a loaded ethanol train and a nice curve makes for a great picture as it heads south out of Fulton, Tennessee on the Fulton Subdivision on April 3rd, 2021. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 220.

Canadian National 3188 southbound with a load of ethanol

Beautiful day, beautiful sunlight, signs of spring, Canadian National Railways 3188 leading a loaded ethanol train and a nice curve makes for a great picture as it heads south out of Fulton, Tennessee on the Fulton Subdivision on April 3rd, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 220.

Music City Star train 157 eastbound from downtown Nashville, TN On March 19th, 2021 Nashville's Music City Star train #157 heads east out of downtown Nashville, Tennessee as it starts its outbound run and prepares to move onto the Nashville and Eastern tracks as the sun dips toward sunset. The Music City Star uses the Nashville and Eastern Railroad trackage that runs between Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee and is currently owned and operated by R.J. Corman. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 170mm, f/5, 1/1250, ISO 160.

Music City Star train 157 eastbound from downtown Nashville, TN

On March 19th, 2021 Nashville’s Music City Star train #157 heads east out of downtown Nashville, Tennessee as it starts its outbound run and prepares to move onto the Nashville and Eastern tracks as the sun dips toward sunset.

The Music City Star uses the Nashville and Eastern Railroad trackage that runs between Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee and is currently owned and operated by R.J. Corman.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 170mm, f/5, 1/1250, ISO 160.

Music City Star train 156 westbound to downtown Nashville, TN On March 19th, 2021 Nashville's Music City Star train #156 makes its reverse move, as it passes under the Shelby Bottoms bridge and rolls through a shaft of sunlight as it also passes the George Reyer Pumping Station on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. The Music City Star uses the Nashville and Eastern Railroad trackage that runs between Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee and is currently owned and operated by R.J. Corman. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1250, ISO 220.

Music City Star train 156 westbound to downtown Nashville, TN

On March 19th, 2021 Nashville’s Music City Star train #156 makes its reverse move, as it passes under the Shelby Bottoms bridge and rolls through a shaft of sunlight as it also passes the George Reyer Pumping Station on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Music City Star uses the Nashville and Eastern Railroad trackage that runs between Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee and is currently owned and operated by R.J. Corman.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @ 500mm, f/6, 1/1250, ISO 220.

Music City Star westbound to downtown Nashville, TN Nashville's Music City Star train #158 makes its reverse move, with engine 122 trailing, as it passes RJ Corman’s Nashville & Eastern Railroad on its way to the riverfront station in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville and Eastern Railroad (reporting mark NERR) is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee. Nashville and Eastern was formed in the 1980s to reestablish freight service from Nashville to Lebanon and points east. The railroad currently extends to Monterey where it serves a large sand mining operation. The railroad provides freight shipping services to more than 30 companies. It also runs occasional passenger excursion trains from Nashville to Cookeville or Watertown in cooperation with the Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville. The tracks that it operates were originally operated by the Tennessee Central Railway, which went out of business in 1968. The railroad is the home of the Music City Star commuter rail service between Nashville and Lebanon. Service began on September 18, 2006. The service is operated by the Regional Transportation Authority, Nashville's public transportation agency. NERR has a subsidiary, the Nashville & Western Railroad Corp. (reporting mark NWR), that operates between Nashville and Ashland City on the former western end of the Tennessee Central. On November 5th, 2018, R.J. Corman Railroad Group announced that it had finalized an agreement to acquire both NERR and NWR as well as Transit Solution Group, operator of the Music City Star commuter trains. R. J. Corman took over operations in January 2019. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

Music City Star westbound to downtown Nashville, TN

Nashville’s Music City Star train #158 makes its reverse move, with engine 122 trailing, as it passes RJ Corman’s Nashville & Eastern Railroad on its way to the riverfront station in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

The Nashville and Eastern Railroad (reporting mark NERR) is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Nashville and Eastern was formed in the 1980s to reestablish freight service from Nashville to Lebanon and points east. The railroad currently extends to Monterey where it serves a large sand mining operation. The railroad provides freight shipping services to more than 30 companies. It also runs occasional passenger excursion trains from Nashville to Cookeville or Watertown in cooperation with the Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville. The tracks that it operates were originally operated by the Tennessee Central Railway, which went out of business in 1968.

The railroad is the home of the Music City Star commuter rail service between Nashville and Lebanon. Service began on September 18, 2006. The service is operated by the Regional Transportation Authority, Nashville’s public transportation agency.

NERR has a subsidiary, the Nashville & Western Railroad Corp. (reporting mark NWR), that operates between Nashville and Ashland City on the former western end of the Tennessee Central.

On November 5th, 2018, R.J. Corman Railroad Group announced that it had finalized an agreement to acquire both NERR and NWR as well as Transit Solution Group, operator of the Music City Star commuter trains. R. J. Corman took over operations in January 2019.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

Northbound across the CR Drawbridge on the Cumberland River at Nashville, TN CSXT 7779, a rebuilt C40-8 and Canadian Pacific 7027, a rebuilt SD70ACU, pull north across the CR Drawbridge as it departs Nashville, Tennessee on the Nashville Terminal Subdivision with empty ethanol train K442 on March 19th, 2021. I saw for the first time today where this bridge was open for barge traffic on the Cumberland River and I never knew that it is now a swing bridge! I guess at some point in time it was converted, and the name CR Drawbridge was kept. It was built in 1916 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and I'm not sure when it was changed to a swing bridge. Perhaps someone out there can provide information on this conversion in the comments! I did find an interesting video from 2016 where the bridge was rehabilitated by PCL Construction that I'll share in the comments for those that are interested. I'm not sure if this is when it was changed from a draw to a swing bridge or not. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

Northbound across the CR Drawbridge on the Cumberland River at Nashville, TN

CSXT 7779, a rebuilt C40-8 and Canadian Pacific 7027, a rebuilt SD70ACU, pull north across the CR Drawbridge as it departs Nashville, Tennessee on the Nashville Terminal Subdivision with empty ethanol train K442 on March 19th, 2021.

I saw for the first time today where this bridge was open for barge traffic on the Cumberland River and I never knew that it is now a swing bridge! I guess at some point in time it was converted, and the name CR Drawbridge was kept. It was built in 1916 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and I’m not sure when it was changed to a swing bridge. Perhaps someone out there can provide information on this conversion in the comments!

I did find an interesting video from 2016 where the bridge was rehabilitated by PCL Construction that I’ll share in the comments for those that are interested. I’m not sure if this is when it was changed from a draw to a swing bridge or not.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 100.

Southbound hot intermodal at Sulfur Creek, Springfield, TN Just a week before the ground here was covered with snow and the temperature was in the teens, a huge difference on March 3rd, 2021 here at the Sulfur Fork bridge just north of Springfield, Tennessee where the day was beautiful and the temperature hovering around 70 degrees! Here we find CSXT 276 and 904 leading hot intermodal Q029-02 as they head south over the Sulfur Creek bridge on the CSX Henderson Subdivision as they make their way to their final destination of Jacksonville, FL from Chicago, IL. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

Southbound hot intermodal at Sulfur Creek, Springfield, TN

Just a week before the ground here was covered with snow and the temperature was in the teens, a huge difference on March 3rd, 2021 here at the Sulfur Fork bridge just north of Springfield, Tennessee where the day was beautiful and the temperature hovering around 70 degrees!

Here we find CSXT 276 and 904 leading hot intermodal Q029-02 as they head south over the Sulfur Creek bridge on the CSX Henderson Subdivision as they make their way to their final destination of Jacksonville, FL from Chicago, IL.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

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.

First light, first train! I was afraid I'd miss this loaded coal train CSX N302 at first light on the Red River bridge at Adams, Tennessee as it made its way south on the Henderson Subdivision. I left my house at about 5:30am, much earlier than I'm accustomed to getting out, but I was meeting fellow railfan Cooper Smith at 7am at Guthrie, Kentucky and we were to meet at the CSX yard in Guthrie to do a full day of railfanning in the snow. After stopping to shoot the sun popping over the horizon just north of Trenton, Ky I got back in my nice and toasty SUV after getting my shot in the cold 14 degree weather and headed on south to meet up with Cooper. It was about this time I found out that he was running late and that there was a loaded coal train just ahead of me headed south. This was just after the last big snowfall that swept through the region the day before and even though the Kentucky and Tennessee road crews had do a great job of plowing US 41, which follows the Henderson Subdivision, there was still ice on the roads to contend with so I was worried that I wouldn't make it to this spot and get the drone up before the train got there, but as you can tell, lady luck was smiling in my direction! I arrived at this spot probably about 10 minutes before the train on February 19th, 2021 and the sun was just above the tree line here and was sending that beautiful early morning golden light, raking across the bare trees. A great start to a great day of being trackside, even if it was real early and went till after dark! We both came back with some great shots! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

First light, first train!

I was afraid I’d miss this loaded coal train CSX N302 at first light on the Red River bridge at Adams, Tennessee as it made its way south on the Henderson Subdivision.

I left my house at about 5:30am, much earlier than I’m accustomed to getting out, but I was meeting fellow railfan Cooper Smith at 7am at Guthrie, Kentucky and we were to meet at the CSX yard in Guthrie to do a full day of railfanning in the snow.

After stopping to shoot the sun popping over the horizon just north of Trenton, Ky I got back in my nice and toasty SUV after getting my shot in the cold 14 degree weather and headed on south to meet up with Cooper. It was about this time I found out that he was running late and that there was a loaded coal train just ahead of me headed south.

This was just after the last big snowfall that swept through the region the day before and even though the Kentucky and Tennessee road crews had do a great job of plowing US 41, which follows the Henderson Subdivision, there was still ice on the roads to contend with so I was worried that I wouldn’t make it to this spot and get the drone up before the train got there, but as you can tell, lady luck was smiling in my direction!

I arrived at this spot probably about 10 minutes before the train on February 19th, 2021 and the sun was just above the tree line here and was sending that beautiful early morning golden light, raking across the bare trees. A great start to a great day of being trackside, even if it was real early and went till after dark! We both came back with some great shots!

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

Southbound Intermodal at Baker This morning (March 3rd, 2021) I got a text at about 10 minutes till 7am that there was a southbound phosphate train with three BNSF units on it! Needless to say I was still in bed and this isn't it! However, this turned out to be my favorite shot on a full day of chasing, which really was a spur of the moment thing starting with the early morning text message. It was about 30 miles later to the south on the Henderson Subdivision (HD) before I caught up with the BNSF train and so I figured since I was out in this early morning light and so far south I'd go ahead and spend the day shooting in the southern part of the HD so I could fly the drone in some locations that I hadn't done so yet, hence, this shot right here. Now, in all fairness this shot of hot intermodal Q029-03 heading south isn't the at spot I started out to shoot it at, but I'm glad I found it! I parked at the crossing on Baker Station Road, about 1.5 miles from the south end of the Baker Tunnel at Ridgetop, Tennessee and the plan was to fly back to the south end of Baker tunnel from there. However, due to the terrain, the drone had issues of maintaining a GPS signal unless I was was up much higher than I wanted to be. However, I passed the spot as I was flying back, about 1/2 mile from the crossing, and thought it'd make a good backup spot! When I got back to this location and got down low enough for what I wanted, I knew right away that I was going to love it! The only thing I was worried about is it was if the train would make it to the spot before I had to bring the drone back to me due to a lack of battery power and also if I could tell when it was coming so I could shoot in the spot I wanted! Keeping my ears open, eyes glued to the DJI Fly App on the iPhone screen, and I was able to get this shot of Q029 as it sliced its way south through this great crop of rocks! Yes, it was a good day to get out early (thanks Tom Wortham) for getting me out and trackside this morning! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100 Exposure Comp: -0.7 (helps control the highlights).

Southbound Intermodal at Baker

This morning (March 3rd, 2021) I got a text at about 10 minutes till 7am that there was a southbound phosphate train with three BNSF units on it! Needless to say I was still in bed and this isn’t it!

However, this turned out to be my favorite shot on a full day of chasing, which really was a spur of the moment thing starting with the early morning text message.

It was about 30 miles later to the south on the Henderson Subdivision (HD) before I caught up with the BNSF train and so I figured since I was out in this early morning light and so far south I’d go ahead and spend the day shooting in the southern part of the HD so I could fly the drone in some locations that I hadn’t done so yet, hence, this shot right here.

Now, in all fairness this shot of hot intermodal Q029-03 heading south isn’t the at spot I started out to shoot it at, but I’m glad I found it!

I parked at the crossing on Baker Station Road, about 1.5 miles from the south end of the Baker Tunnel at Ridgetop, Tennessee and the plan was to fly back to the south end of Baker tunnel from there. However, due to the terrain, the drone had issues of maintaining a GPS signal unless I was was up much higher than I wanted to be.

However, I passed the spot as I was flying back, about 1/2 mile from the crossing, and thought it’d make a good backup spot! When I got back to this location and got down low enough for what I wanted, I knew right away that I was going to love it!

The only thing I was worried about is it was if the train would make it to the spot before I had to bring the drone back to me due to a lack of battery power and also if I could tell when it was coming so I could shoot in the spot I wanted!

Keeping my ears open, eyes glued to the DJI Fly App on the iPhone screen, and I was able to get this shot of Q029 as it sliced its way south through this great crop of rocks!

Yes, it was a good day to get out early (thanks Tom Wortham) for getting me out and trackside this morning!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100 Exposure Comp: -0.7 (helps control the highlights).

TAG 80 on the Chickamauga Creek bridge Looking back to 2017 to pull an image for a customer, I realized that I hadn't ever processed this image from my trip to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Railfest in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This was during their first night shoot and thanks to the lighting wizardry of Casey Thomason and Steve Barry we all had a outstanding night! September 9, 2017 - Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway engine #80 "The John A. Chambliss," sits on the Chickamauga Creek bridge with a passenger train, just east of the Tennessee Valley Railroad museum in Chattanooga, TN during the museums night photo shoot during their 2017 Railfest. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @36mm f/8, 20 seconds, ISO 800.

TAG 80 on the Chickamauga Creek bridge

Looking back to 2017 to pull an image for a customer, I realized that I hadn’t ever processed this image from my trip to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Railfest in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This was during their first night shoot and thanks to the lighting wizardry of Casey Thomason and Steve Barry we all had a outstanding night!

September 9, 2017 – Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway engine #80 “The John A. Chambliss,” sits on the Chickamauga Creek bridge with a passenger train, just east of the Tennessee Valley Railroad museum in Chattanooga, TN during the museums night photo shoot during their 2017 Railfest.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @36mm f/8, 20 seconds, ISO 800.

CSX intermodal meet at Nashville, Tennessee CSX Q026-19 (left) heads north as the crew on CSX Q025 does a roll by inspection, just south of CSX's Kayne Avenue Tower in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, as the afternoon sun sends an interesting pattern of shadows across the tracks. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @210mm f/7.1, 1/1600, ISO 2000.

CSX intermodal meet at Nashville, Tennessee

CSX Q026-19 (left) heads north as the crew on CSX Q025 does a roll by inspection, just south of CSX’s Kayne Avenue Tower in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, as the afternoon sun sends an interesting pattern of shadows across the tracks.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @210mm f/7.1, 1/1600, ISO 2000.

Northbound high and wide load at Red River CSX W991-29 heads north on the Henderson Subdivision across the Red River bridge at Adams, Tennessee on December 5th, 2020 with a High and Wide load for General Electric at a steady 25mph. The GE high and wide load is carried on GECX 021155 a Heavy load, 16-axle, depressed center flat car, which is owned by General Electrical Gas Turbine division. The car is 147 feet 10 inches long and the load deck length is 38 feet according to what I find on the web. It Was built in May of 1995 and is used to transport heavy gas turbines built by General Electric. A Kasgro Rail Corporation (KRL) caboose 072 brings up the rear with a full crew. The caboose and engine crews kept a close eye on clearances as they made their way north! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

Northbound high and wide load at Red River

CSX W991-29 heads north on the Henderson Subdivision across the Red River bridge at Adams, Tennessee on December 5th, 2020 with a High and Wide load for General Electric at a steady 25mph.

The GE high and wide load is carried on GECX 021155 a Heavy load, 16-axle, depressed center flat car, which is owned by General Electrical Gas Turbine division. The car is 147 feet 10 inches long and the load deck length is 38 feet according to what I find on the web. It Was built in May of 1995 and is used to transport heavy gas turbines built by General Electric. A Kasgro Rail Corporation (KRL) caboose 072 brings up the rear with a full crew. The caboose and engine crews kept a close eye on clearances as they made their way north!

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

September 17, 2020 - CSXT 710 & 3050 run point on CSX Q025-17 as they pull their hot intermodal train across the Sulfur Fork Creek Trestle headed south on the Henderson Subdivision at Springfield, Tennessee. They were running a bit late today as they encountered a truck on the tracks somewhere between Hopkinsville, Ky and this point, putting their train into emergency. From what I could find out no one was hurt in the incident, put it did cause a delay, which they don't like to have happen on this, one of four hot intermodals that run daily between Jacksonville, Florida and Chicago, Illinois on this subdivision. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

CSXT 710 & 3050 run point on CSX Q025-17

September 17, 2020 – CSXT 710 & 3050 run point on CSX Q025-17 as they pull their hot intermodal train across the Sulfur Fork Creek Trestle headed south on the Henderson Subdivision at Springfield, Tennessee.

They were running a bit late today as they encountered a truck on the tracks somewhere between Hopkinsville, Ky and this point, putting their train into emergency. From what I could find out no one was hurt in the incident, put it did cause a delay, which they don’t like to have happen on this, one of four hot intermodals that run daily between Jacksonville, Florida and Chicago, Illinois on this subdivision.

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