September 20th, 2024, Two BNSF pass each other at the at the Summit of Cajon Pass in southern California and the BNSF Cajon Subdivision. According to Wikipedia: Cajon Pass is a mountain pass between the San Bernardino Mountains to the east and the San Gabriel Mountains to the west in Southern California. Created by the movements of the San Andreas Fault, it has an elevation of 3,777 ft (1,151 m). Located in the Mojave Desert, the pass is an important link from the Greater San Bernardino Area to the Victor Valley, and northeast to Las Vegas. The Cajon Pass area is on the Pacific Crest Trail. Cajon Pass is at the head of Horsethief Canyon, traversed by California State Route 138 (SR 138) and railroad tracks owned by BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. Improvements in 1972 reduced the railroad's maximum elevation from about 3,829 to 3,777 feet while reducing curvature. Interstate 15 does not traverse Cajon Pass, but rather the nearby Cajon Summit. The entire area, Cajon Pass and Cajon Summit, is often referred to as Cajon Pass, but a distinction is made between Cajon Pass and Cajon Summit. The California Southern Railroad, a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, was the first railroad through Cajon Pass. The line through the pass was built in the early 1880s to connect the present-day cities of Barstow and San Diego. Today the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway (the successor to the Santa Fe) use the pass to reach Los Angeles and San Bernardino as part of the Southern Transcon. Due to the many trains, scenery and easy access, it is a popular location for railfans, and many photographs of trains on Cajon Pass appear in books and magazines. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 100. #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #steamtrains #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromtheair #trainsfromadrone #CajonPass #railroad #railroads #train, #trains #railway #railway #steamtrains #railtransport #railroadengines #picturesoftrains #picturesofrailways #besttrainphotograph #bestphoto #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromtheair #trainsfromadrone #CajonPass

Two BNSF pass each other at the at the Summit of Cajon Pass in southern California…

September 20th, 2024, Two BNSF pass each other at the at the Summit of Cajon Pass in southern California and the BNSF Cajon Subdivision.

According to Wikipedia: Cajon Pass is a mountain pass between the San Bernardino Mountains to the east and the San Gabriel Mountains to the west in Southern California. Created by the movements of the San Andreas Fault, it has an elevation of 3,777 ft (1,151 m). Located in the Mojave Desert, the pass is an important link from the Greater San Bernardino Area to the Victor Valley, and northeast to Las Vegas. The Cajon Pass area is on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Cajon Pass is at the head of Horsethief Canyon, traversed by California State Route 138 (SR 138) and railroad tracks owned by BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. Improvements in 1972 reduced the railroad’s maximum elevation from about 3,829 to 3,777 feet while reducing curvature. Interstate 15 does not traverse Cajon Pass, but rather the nearby Cajon Summit. The entire area, Cajon Pass and Cajon Summit, is often referred to as Cajon Pass, but a distinction is made between Cajon Pass and Cajon Summit.

The California Southern Railroad, a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, was the first railroad through Cajon Pass. The line through the pass was built in the early 1880s to connect the present-day cities of Barstow and San Diego. Today the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway (the successor to the Santa Fe) use the pass to reach Los Angeles and San Bernardino as part of the Southern Transcon. Due to the many trains, scenery and easy access, it is a popular location for railfans, and many photographs of trains on Cajon Pass appear in books and magazines.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 100.

Southbound CSX local passes Monarch through fresh snowfall The fresh blanket of snow brings a quietness to the area surrounding Monarch, where the Paducah and Louisville Railway crosses over the CSX Henderson Subdivision, at Madisonville, Ky on February 16th, 2021, until the northbound Casky to Atkinson yards local, J732-16 arrives with three SD40's leading the way. I'm still (for several years now) am trying for a shot of a train on both tracks at the same time at this spot. It'll happen, it just takes a lot of patience and luck!! Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography

Southbound CSX local passes Monarch through fresh snowfall at Madisonville, Ky

The fresh blanket of snow brings a quietness to the area surrounding Monarch, where the Paducah and Louisville Railway crosses over the CSX Henderson Subdivision, at Madisonville, Ky on February 16th, 2021, until the northbound Casky to Atkinson yards local, J732-16 arrives with three SD40’s leading the way.

I’m still (for several years now) am trying for a shot of a train on both tracks at the same time at this spot. It’ll happen, it just takes a lot of patience and luck!!

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

Clear north end of Hanson... well, kinda, sorta!! CSXT 307 leads intermodal Q025 southbound through the blowing and falling snow as it passes the north end of the siding at Hanson, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision, on February 17th, 2021. Q025 normally is a morning train out of Chicago, bound for Florida, but with the artic type weather that has been passing through the north and southeast, trains aren't exactly running on time! Here it's almost dark by the time it crests the rise in the blowing cold at Hanson. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 w/1.4 teleconverter @ 800mm f/9, 1/1250, ISO 1800 -0.7 Exp. Comp (helps with the highlights).

Clear north end of Hanson… well, kinda, sorta!!

CSXT 307 leads intermodal Q025 southbound through the blowing and falling snow as it passes the north end of the siding at Hanson, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision, on February 17th, 2021.

Q025 normally is a morning train out of Chicago, bound for Florida, but with the artic type weather that has been passing through the north and southeast, trains aren’t exactly running on time! Here it’s almost dark by the time it crests the rise in the blowing cold at Hanson.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 w/1.4 teleconverter @ 800mm f/9, 1/1250, ISO 1800 -0.7 Exp. Comp (helps with the highlights).

A brakeman holds up a lantern at the depot next to The Valley Railroad Company #40 during a night photo shoot at Essex, Connecticut, on October 8th, 2024, during a photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography. According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train. Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 52mm, 2.8, 1/100, ISO 6,400. #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #thevalleyrailroad #steamtrains

A brakeman holds up a lantern at the depot next to The Valley Railroad Company #40 during a night photo shoot

A brakeman holds up a lantern at the depot next to The Valley Railroad Company #40 during a night photo shoot at Essex, Connecticut, on October 8th, 2024, during a photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography.

According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 52mm, 2.8, 1/100, ISO 6,400.

Waiting on a Train - A group of photographers photograph cows and frame their shots with them, as they wait on the arrival of Norfolk and Western 475 on the Strasburg Railroad, on November 7th, 2021 at Strasburg, Pennsylvania, during a Dak Dillon Photo Charter. I love catching shots like this so much when I'm trackside that I created a Facebook group sometime back called Waiting On A Train for them. We all have shots that we take while waiting around trackside for our train to show up and if you're looking for a place to post those shots join the group!! Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 140mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 140. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Waiting on a Train – A group of photographers photograph cows as they wait on the arrival of Norfolk and Western 475

Waiting on a Train – A group of photographers photograph cows and frame their shots with them, as they wait on the arrival of Norfolk and Western 475 on the Strasburg Railroad, on November 7th, 2021 at Strasburg, Pennsylvania, during a Dak Dillon Photo Charter. I love catching shots like this so much when I’m trackside that I created a Facebook group sometime back called Waiting On A Train for them. We all have shots that we take while waiting around trackside for our train to show up and if you’re looking for a place to post those shots join the group!!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 140mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 140.

The Valley Railroad Company #40 sits in s shroud of steam at the depot at Essex, Connecticut, on the night of October 8th, 2024, during a photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography. According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train. Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 70mm, 2.8, 1/100, ISO 10,000. #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography #thevalleyrailroad #steamtrains

The Valley Railroad Company #40 sits in a shroud of steam at the depot at Essex, Connecticut

The Valley Railroad Company #40 sits in a shroud of steam at the depot at Essex, Connecticut, on the night of October 8th, 2024, during a photo charter conducted by Dak Dillion Photography.

According to Wikipedia: The Valley Railroad, operating under the name Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, is a heritage railroad based in Connecticut on tracks of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was founded in 1868. The company began operations in 1971 between Deep River and Essex and has since reopened additional parts of the former Connecticut Valley Railroad line. It operates the Essex Steam Train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 70mm, 2.8, 1/100, ISO 10,000.

CSXT 9717 leads a southbound freight out of Evansville, Indiana on the viaduct, passing an old barn which is no longer standing, on a beautiful fall morning of November 28th, 2006, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. Tech Info: Nikon D200, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 40mm,f/8, 1/250, ISO 800. #photographyoftrains #bestsoldpicture #JimPearsonPhotography

CSXT 9717 leads a southbound freight out of Evansville, Indiana…

CSXT 9717 leads a southbound freight out of Evansville, Indiana on the viaduct, passing an old barn which is no longer standing, on a beautiful fall morning of November 28th, 2006, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: Nikon D200, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 40mm,f/8, 1/250, ISO 800.

Norfolk and Western 475 heads past the Strasburg Railroad engine shop as dusk with a mixed freight approaching the depot, on November 7th, 2021 at Strasburg, Pennsylvania, during a DAK Dillon Photo Charter. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 400. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Norfolk and Western 475 heads past the Strasburg Railroad engine shop

Norfolk and Western 475 heads past the Strasburg Railroad engine shop at dawn with a mixed freight approaching the depot, on November 7th, 2021 at Strasburg, Pennsylvania, during a DAK Dillon Photo Charter.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 400.

June 26th, 2006 - Blast from The Past – CSXT 9993 leads the CSX Business Train northbound across the Gum Lick Trestle, between Kelly and Crofton, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on June 26th, 2006. The “Gum Lick” name comes from the fact that the valley here is named Gum Lick Hollow and it sits between Crofton and Kelly Kentucky where it crosses over the West Fork of Pond River. Tech Info: Nikon D2H, Sigma 24-70 @24mm, f/4, 1/640, ISO 500. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

June 26th, 2006 – Blast from The Past – CSXT 9993 leads the CSX Business Train northbound…

June 26th, 2006 – Blast from The Past – CSXT 9993 leads the CSX Business Train northbound across the Gum Lick Trestle, between Kelly and Crofton, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on June 26th, 2006.

The “Gum Lick” name comes from the fact that the valley here is named Gum Lick Hollow and it sits between Crofton and Kelly Kentucky where it crosses over the West Fork of Pond River.

Tech Info: Nikon D2H, Sigma 24-70 @24mm, f/4, 1/640, ISO 500.

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train through the yard at Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall afternoon. According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 120. #steamtrains #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromtheair #EastBroadTop

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train…

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train through the yard at Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall afternoon.

According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 120.

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train past the depot as they enter the yard at Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania to wye their train for another trip, on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall afternoon. According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110. #steamtrains #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromtheair #EastBroadTop

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train past the depot…

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train past the depot as they enter the yard at Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania to wye their train for another trip, on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall afternoon.

According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110.

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall afternoon. According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service. Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100. #steamtrains #JimPearsonPhotography #trainsfromtheair #EastBroadTop

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pa

East Broad Top (EBT) steam locomotive #16 pulls a passenger train out of Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania on October 6th, 2024, on a beautiful fall afternoon.

According to the East Broad Top Website: Locomotive #16 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

Entering the age of modern steam in 1916, the EBT received its first of three large Mikados. Unlike the previous three smaller locomotives, #16 came with superheaters, piston valves, and Southern valve gear. One story mentions #16 pulled 60 empty hoppers from Mt. Union to Rockhill in one train, literally clearing out the yard. #16 underwent an overhaul in 1955 and made only a handful of trips in early 1956 before the railroad shut down an overhaul when the EBT shut down. On February 1, 2023, the locomotive returned to service.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100.

Reading & Northern's RDC "Buddliner" #9168 (RDC-1) their two car train towards Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, after passing through Nesquehoning Tunnel on October 5th, 2024. According to their website: The Reading and Northern Railroad owns and operates three self-propelled Rail Diesel Cars #9166, #9167, and #9168. The cars were built by the former Budd Company of Philadelphia in the 1950's for commuter use by various railroads. All of our RDCs have functional windows and clean restrooms, and are fully climate controlled. The #9167 & #9168 are full coaches offering comfortable padded seats that flip to face whichever direction the train is traveling. The #9166 is a half coach. The other half of the car features a snack counter and seating area where snacks and light refreshments could be served. Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 70mm, 1/320, f/2.8, ISO 720. #steamtrains #besttrainphotograph #JimPearsonPhotography #RBNRR

Reading & Northern’s RDC “Buddliner” #9168 (RDC-1) leads their two car train towards Jim Thorpe, Pa

Reading & Northern’s RDC “Buddliner” #9168 (RDC-1) leads their two car train towards Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, after passing through Nesquehoning Tunnel on October 5th, 2024.

According to their website: The Reading and Northern Railroad owns and operates three self-propelled Rail Diesel Cars #9166, #9167, and #9168. The cars were built by the former Budd Company of Philadelphia in the 1950’s for commuter use by various railroads. All of our RDCs have functional windows and clean restrooms, and are fully climate controlled.

The #9167 & #9168 are full coaches offering comfortable padded seats that flip to face whichever direction the train is traveling.

The #9166 is a half coach. The other half of the car features a snack counter and seating area where snacks and light refreshments could be served.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 24-70 @ 70mm, 1/320, f/2.8, ISO 720.

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 pulls through the countryside on October 5th, 2024, during its first day of the year of pulling Fall Foliage Excursions, as it heads for Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124. The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s. In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains. Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 70mm, 1/640, f/4.5, ISO 180. #steamtrains #besttrainphotograph #JimPearsonPhotography #RBNRR

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 pulls through the countryside

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam locomotive 2102 pulls through the countryside on October 5th, 2024, during its first day of the year of pulling Fall Foliage Excursions, as it heads for Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.

According to their website: The Reading Company T-1 class #2102 was built in the Reading’s own locomotive shops in 1945. With drivers of 70” diameter, it weighs 404 tons, and its tender holds up to 26 tons of coal, and up to 19,000 gallons of water. After the Reading Steam era was over, the Reading Company used 2102 for the Reading Rambles on several different excursions. The 2102 has had many different owners since it was retired by the Reading Railroad. It is one of only four to survive. The other remaining locomotives are the 2100, 2101, and 2124.

The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad purchased the 2102 in 1987, and it ran on the Temple to South Hamburg line into the early 1990’s. Once the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad became the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, the 2102 ran over Reading & Northern’s rails for a short time before it was removed from service in the early 1990’s.

In 2022, steam locomotive 2102 reentered service on the Reading & Northern. The locomotive has been used actively to pull both passenger excursions and revenue freight trains.

Tech Info: Nikon D810, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 70mm, 1/640, f/4.5, ISO 180.