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.

CSX Q513 heads through the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with CSXT 3194, the Spirit of Law Enforcement Unit leading, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision on New Year's Eve, December 31st, 2021. From an August 2019 CSXT Press Release: CSXT 3194 is being 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 our collection of Pride in Service locomotives launched this spring - 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: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 160mm, f/5.3, 1/1000, ISO 160. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

CSX Q513 heads through the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with CSXT 3194, the Spirit of Law Enforcement Unit leading

CSX Q513 heads through the S curve at Nortonville, Kentucky with CSXT 3194, the Spirit of Law Enforcement Unit leading, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision on New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2021.

From an August 2019 CSXT Press Release: CSXT 3194 is being 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 our collection of Pride in Service locomotives launched this spring – 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: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 160mm, f/5.3, 1/1000, ISO 160.

BNSF 25th Anniversary Unit 6078 brings up the rear as the last DPU on a loaded coal train at Chiles Junction in West Paducah, Kentucky as they make their way north on the CN Beardstown Subdivision to the 4 Rivers Coal loop on the Ohio River at West Paducah on December 29th, 2021. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/80, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

BNSF 25th Anniversary at Chiles Junction, West Paducah, Kentucky

BNSF 25th Anniversary Unit 6078 brings up the rear as the last DPU on a loaded coal train at Chiles Junction in West Paducah, Kentucky as they make their way north on the CN Beardstown Subdivision to the 4 Rivers Coal loop on the Ohio River at West Paducah on December 29th, 2021.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/80, ISO 130.

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.

CSX employees survey damage to the tracks and signals between 9th and 14th streets in downtown Hopkinsville, Kentucky


CSX employees survey damage to the tracks and signals between 9th and 14th streets in downtown Hopkinsville, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision after what’s being reported by local news there, as 60mph straight line winds on January 1st, 2022, causing damage in the downtown area.

This is the second time the Henderson Subdivision has been affected by severe weather in Western Kentucky. On December 10th, 2021, CSX Q500 derailed as the result of an F4 tornado that passed over it at Barnsley, Kentucky, about 25 miles north of Hopkinsville. The New Year’s Day storm that moved through the city sheared one crossing signal off at the ground and damaged others.

CSX crews repaired all the crossing signals except for one and was able to have the line back open in about 3 hours, after CSX N015, I025 and G413 were all brought to a safe stop before reaching Hopkinsville between Nortonville and Hopkinsville, Ky.

The old Louisville and Nashville railroad Depot and Freight house did not appear to have suffered any damage because of the storm.

The top photo is looking south from 9th street and the bottom photo is looking north just past 14th Street.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 390mm, f/6, 1/1000, ISO 1400.

January 1, 2022 – CSX I025 SB at Kelly , Ky on the Henderson Subdivision

January 1, 2022 – CSX I025 SB at Kelly , Ky where it stopped on the main due to 60mph straight line wind damage in downtown Hopkinsville, Ky on the Henderson Subdivision. Several crossing through downtown were covered with debris and one crossing signal was sheared off at the base. It was about 3 hours before the line was back open.

CSX Q513 heads through the Crofton Cut with CSXT 3194, the Spirit of Law Enforcement Unit leading, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision on New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2021. August 2019 from a CSXT Press Release: CSXT 3194 is being 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 our collection of Pride in Service locomotives launched this spring – 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: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 185mm, f/5.3, 1/1000, ISO 140. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

CSX Q513 heads through the Crofton Cut with CSXT 3194, the Spirit of Law Enforcement Unit leading

August 2019 from a CSXT Press Release: CSXT 3194 is being 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 our collection of Pride in Service locomotives launched this spring – 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: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 185mm, f/5.3, 1/1000, ISO 140.

CSX Q513 heads through the Crofton Cut with CSXT 3194, the Spirit of Law Enforcement Unit leading, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision on New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2021.

August 2019 from a CSXT Press Release: CSXT 3194 is being 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 our collection of Pride in Service locomotives launched this spring – 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: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 185mm, f/5.3, 1/1000, ISO 140.

Amtrak 391, the Saluki, passes through the Evansville Western Railway/Canadian National diamond as it heads south on the CN Centralia Subdivision at Ashley, Illinois on December 29th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Ashley is a city in Washington County, Illinois, United States, and was named after Colonel L. W. Ashley, a railroad division engineer with the Illinois Central Railroad. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Amtrak 391, the Saluki, passes through the Evansville Western Railway/Canadian National diamond at Ashley, IL

Amtrak 391, the Saluki, passes through the Evansville Western Railway/Canadian National diamond as it heads south on the CN Centralia Subdivision at Ashley, Illinois on December 29th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: Ashley is a city in Washington County, Illinois, United States, and was named after Colonel L. W. Ashley, a railroad division engineer with the Illinois Central Railroad.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 130.

LORAM Railgrinder 401 sits south of Princeton, Kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway on a beautiful fall afternoon on November 11th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: A railgrinder (or rail grinder) is a maintenance of way vehicle or train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend its life and to improve the ride of trains using the track. Rail grinders were developed to increase the lifespan of the tracks being serviced for rail corrugation. Rail grinding is a process that is done to stop the deformation due to use and friction on railroad tracks by removing deformations and corrosion. Railroad tracks that experience continual use are more likely to experience corrugation and overall wear. Rail grinders are used to grind the tracks when rail corrugation is present, or before corrugation begins to form on the tracks. Major freight train tracks use rail grinders for track maintenance based on the interval of tonnage, rather than time. Transit systems and subways in major cities continue to use scheduled rail grinding processes to combat the corrugation common to heavily used tracks. Rail-grinding equipment may be mounted on a single self-propelled vehicle or on a dedicated rail-grinding train which, when used on an extensive network, may include crew quarters. The grinding wheels, of which there may be more than 100, are set at controlled angles to restore the track to its correct profile. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 140.

LORAM Railgrinder 401 sits south of Princeton, Kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway

LORAM Railgrinder 401 sits south of Princeton, Kentucky on the Paducah and Louisville Railway on a beautiful fall afternoon on November 11th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: A railgrinder (or rail grinder) is a maintenance of way vehicle or train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend its life and to improve the ride of trains using the track. Rail grinders were developed to increase the lifespan of the tracks being serviced for rail corrugation. Rail grinding is a process that is done to stop the deformation due to use and friction on railroad tracks by removing deformations and corrosion. Railroad tracks that experience continual use are more likely to experience corrugation and overall wear.

Rail grinders are used to grind the tracks when rail corrugation is present, or before corrugation begins to form on the tracks. Major freight train tracks use rail grinders for track maintenance based on the interval of tonnage, rather than time. Transit systems and subways in major cities continue to use scheduled rail grinding processes to combat the corrugation common to heavily used tracks. Rail-grinding equipment may be mounted on a single self-propelled vehicle or on a dedicated rail-grinding train which, when used on an extensive network, may include crew quarters. The grinding wheels, of which there may be more than 100, are set at controlled angles to restore the track to its correct profile.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/320, ISO 140.

Norfolk Southern railway Savannah & Atlanta 1065 Heritage Unit leads NS 167 as it passes through Southern Crossover over the CSX CE&D Subdivision at Princeton, Indiana, on its way east on the NS East-West District on December 3rd, 2021. This unit completes my goal of photographing all the 20 NS Heritage units! According to the NS Website: Savannah & Atlanta Railway (SR, EMD) began life as the Brinson Railway in 1906, slowly expanding from Savannah toward the Northwest. It was consolidated with other small railroads to become the Savannah & Atlanta in 1917. Central of Georgia bought the S&A in 1951. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern railway Savannah & Atlanta 1065 Heritage Unit eastbound at Princeton, IN

Norfolk Southern railway Savannah & Atlanta 1065 Heritage Unit leads NS 167 as it passes through Southern Crossover over the CSX CE&D Subdivision at Princeton, Indiana, on its way east on the NS East-West District on December 3rd, 2021. This unit completes my goal of photographing all the 20 NS Heritage units!

According to the NS Website: Savannah & Atlanta Railway (SR, EMD) began life as the Brinson Railway in 1906, slowly expanding from Savannah toward the Northwest. It was consolidated with other small railroads to become the Savannah & Atlanta in 1917. Central of Georgia bought the S&A in 1951.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130.