May 30, 2020 - CSX was nice and sent several interesting trains my way for my 70th birthday! This on of CSX J732 meeting CSX Q028 at the north end of Pembroke at Hopkinsville, Ky. J732 was pulling into the yard at Casky with Paducah and Louisville Railway units 3803, 3804 and 3808 in tow as the trailing units. I've not been able to find out where they're headed, other than they should go out sometime tonight on J733 south to Nashville, TN on the Henderson Subdivision. Either way, it made for one of several nice shots for my birthday! Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @70mm, f/9, 1/1000sec with ISO 560.

May 30, 2020 – CSX was nice and sent several interesting trains my way for my 70th birthday! This one of CSX J732 meeting CSX Q028 at the north end of Pembroke at Hopkinsville, Ky. J732 was pulling into the yard at Casky with Paducah and Louisville Railway units 3803, 3804 and 3808 in tow as the trailing units.

I’ve not been able to find out where they’re headed, other than they should go out sometime tonight on J733 south to Nashville, TN on the Henderson Subdivision. Either way, it made for one of several nice shots for my birthday!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @70mm, f/9, 1/1000sec with ISO 560.

May 27, 2020 - Norfolk Southern New York Central heritage unit 1066 passes Consolidated Grain & Barge Co. silos at Wayne City, Illinois as it heads west on the NS Southern-West District. It was running engine light, with two other engines in trail, as NS D51as it headed down the line to pick up empty grain cars. This was one of of the last three NS Heritage units that I haven't caught till now, so only 2 left till I've photographed all 20 of the NS Heritage fleet. Now I need to catch the Savannah & Atlanta Railway and the Pennsylvania Railroad to complete my NS Heritage picture set. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/5.6, 1/640sec, ISO 125.

Norfolk Southern New York Central heritage unit 1066…

May 27, 2020 – Norfolk Southern New York Central heritage unit 1066 passes Consolidated Grain & Barge Co. silos at Wayne City, Illinois as it heads west on the NS Southern-West District. It was running engine light, with two other engines in trail, as NS D51as it headed down the line to pick up empty grain cars.


This was one of of the last three NS Heritage units that I haven’t caught till now, so only 2 left till I’ve photographed all 20 of the NS Heritage fleet. Now I need to catch the Savannah & Atlanta Railway and the Pennsylvania Railroad to complete my NS Heritage picture set.


Today was a great day of railfanning with Ryan Scott and Eli Noble!! Many more shots from the day yet to come!


Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/5.6, 1/640sec, ISO 125.

May 11, 2020 - The engineer on CSX J732-11 keeps a watchful eye on his side mirror and an ear to his radio as his conductor on the rear of their 9,900ft train, calls the crossings, as they back their train of empty container well cars down the Morganfield Branch at Madisonville, Ky for storage, during the slowdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @480mm, f/7.1, 1/1600sec with ISO 1000.

The engineer on CSX J732-11 keeps a watchful eye…

May 11, 2020 – The engineer on CSX J732-11 keeps a watchful eye on his side mirror and an ear to his radio as his conductor on the rear of their 9,900ft train, calls the crossings, as they back their train of empty container well cars down the Morganfield Branch at Madisonville, Ky for storage, during the slowdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @480mm, f/7.1, 1/1600sec with ISO 1000.

May 8, 2020 - Norfolk Southern 60P pulls through the Paducah and Louisville Railways Oak Street yard headed to the Louisville and Indiana Railroad in Jeffersonville, Indiana with a loaded CP Potash train, on a wet, rainy afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 270mm, f/5.6 at 1/400sec, ISO 450.

Norfolk Southern 60P at Louisville, Ky

May 8, 2020 – Norfolk Southern 60P pulls through the Paducah and Louisville Railways Oak Street yard headed to the Louisville and Indiana Railroad in Jeffersonville, Indiana with a loaded CP Potash train, on a wet, rainy afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 270mm, f/5.6 at 1/400sec, ISO 450.

May 11, 2020 - The conductor on CSX J732-11 maintains his three point contact while he calls the crossings as they back their 9,900 ft train of empty container well cars down the Morganfield Branch at Madisonville, Ky for storage, during the slowdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @480mm, f/7.1, 1/1600sec with ISO 500.

he conductor on CSX J732-11 maintains his three point contact…

May 11, 2020 – The conductor on CSX J732-11 maintains his three point contact while he calls the crossings as they back their 9,900 ft train of empty container well cars down the Morganfield Branch at Madisonville, Ky for storage, during the slowdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600mm @480mm, f/7.1, 1/1600sec with ISO 500.

May 8, 2020 - The late afternoon sunlight rakes across sand tower area at MG Rail (MGRI) as locomotives 2002 sits at their engine house in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The shortline is owned and operated by Consolidated Grain and Barge (CG&B). It operates within the Clark Maritime Center, near Jeffersonville, Indiana. MGRI switches out several industries within the Maritime center and stages them at connections to CSX and Louisville & Indiana. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @340mm, f/7.6, 1/1600 sec at ISO 720.

MG Rail (MGRI) locomotive 2002 at Jeffersonville, IN

May 8, 2020 – The late afternoon sunlight rakes across sand tower area at MG Rail (MGRI) as locomotive 2002 sits at their engine house in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

The shortline is owned and operated by Consolidated Grain and Barge (CG&B). It operates within the Clark Maritime Center, near Jeffersonville, Indiana. MGRI switches out several industries within the Maritime center and stages them at connections to CSX and Louisville & Indiana.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @340mm, f/7.6, 1/1600 sec at ISO 720.

May 5, 1989 - The crew from a eastbound Santa Fe freight prepare to do a roll-by inspection on a passenger train being led by Union X8444 at Blue Cut in southern California's Cajon Pass on their way west to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Station, with E-unit 951 trailing. This was the first Southern California appearance of a Union Pacific steam locomotive since 1956.

Eastbound Union X8444 at Blue Cut in Cajon Pass, CA

May 5, 1989 – The crew from a eastbound Santa Fe freight prepare to do a roll-by inspection on a passenger train being led by Union X8444 at Blue Cut in southern California’s Cajon Pass on their way west to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Station, with E-unit 951 trailing. This was the first Southern California appearance of a Union Pacific steam locomotive since 1956.

May 15, 2020 - The crew of West Tennessee Railroad (WTNN) Fulton Turn (T92) sit on a rise at as it waits for permission to cross the WTNN/CSX Diamond southbound at Milan, Tennessee with 5543 and 4071 as power. According to their website: The West Tennessee Railroad began in 1984 on a portion of the former Mobile & Ohio Railroad main line between Jackson and Kenton, Tennessee. In 2001, the WTNN expanded operations, acquiring operating rights over the former ICG line between Corinth, Mississippi and Fulton, Kentucky. WTNN operates on a daily basis and has interchanges with CSX, KCS, NS, and CN. Car storage and transloading services are provided in several convenient areas along the WTNN line. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 lens @ 370mm, 1/640 sec, f/6.3, ISO 280.

West Tennessee Railroad (WTNN) Fulton Turn (T92)…

May 15, 2020 – The crew of West Tennessee Railroad (WTNN) Fulton Turn (T92) sit on a rise at as it waits for permission to cross the WTNN/CSX Diamond southbound at Milan, Tennessee with 5543 and 4071 as power.

According to their website: The West Tennessee Railroad began in 1984 on a portion of the former Mobile & Ohio Railroad main line between Jackson and Kenton, Tennessee. In 2001, the WTNN expanded operations, acquiring operating rights over the former ICG line between Corinth, Mississippi and Fulton, Kentucky.

WTNN operates on a daily basis and has interchanges with CSX, KCS, NS, and CN. Car storage and transloading services are provided in several convenient areas along the WTNN line.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 lens @ 370mm, 1/640 sec, f/6.3, ISO 280.

May 13, 2020 - For me, some photos just need to be black and white like this one of Paducah and Louisville Railway 1998, University of Kentucky engine, as it leads a Scotty's Rock train through a tunnel of trees, as it approaches the Ky 70 crossing just south of Madisonville, Ky. Tech Info:Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 350mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 350.

Paducah and Louisville Railway 1998 southbound with a Scotty’s Rock Train…

May 13, 2020 – For me, some photos just need to be black and white like this one of Paducah and Louisville Railway 1998, University of Kentucky engine, as it leads a Scotty’s Rock train through a tunnel of trees, as it approaches the Ky 70 crossing just south of Madisonville, Ky.

Tech Info:Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 350mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 350.

May 15, 2020 - Today I spent trackside with fellow railfan Cooper Smith, where he navigated me through some of his favorite spots in west Tennessee. I'd been here before back on New Years Day, but only caught 1 train moving on the trip. Today was a lot different as just about everywhere we went, a train showed up shortly after we got there! One of our goals was to catch the West Tennessee Railroad (WTNN) working somewhere in the area and we found their Fulton Turn (T92) crossing the WTNN/CSX Diamond at Milan, Tennessee as 5543 and 4071 lead the way south back to their yard at Jackson, TN past the old diamond sitting in the grass. A good day trackside and a big shout out to those that provided train updates and locations! According to their website: The West Tennessee Railroad began in 1984 on a portion of the former Mobile & Ohio Railroad main line between Jackson and Kenton, Tennessee. In 2001, the WTNN expanded operations, acquiring operating rights over the former ICG line between Corinth, Mississippi and Fulton, Kentucky. WTNN operates on a daily basis and has interchanges with CSX, KCS, NS, and CN. Car storage and transloading services are provided in several convenient areas along the WTNN line. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm lens, 1/800 sec, f/11, ISO 125.

West Tennessee Railroad Fulton Turn at Milan, TN

May 15, 2020 – Today I spent trackside with fellow railfan Cooper Smith, where he navigated me through some of his favorite spots in west Tennessee. I’d been here before back on New Years Day, but only caught 1 train moving on the trip. Today was a lot different as just about everywhere we went, a train showed up shortly after we got there!


One of our goals was to catch the West Tennessee Railroad (WTNN) working somewhere in the area and we found their Fulton Turn (T92) crossing the WTNN/CSX Diamond at Milan, Tennessee as 5543 and 4071 lead the way south back to their yard at Jackson, TN past the old diamond sitting in the grass. A good day trackside and a big shout out to those that provided train updates and locations!

According to their website: The West Tennessee Railroad began in 1984 on a portion of the former Mobile & Ohio Railroad main line between Jackson and Kenton, Tennessee.  In 2001, the WTNN expanded operations, acquiring operating rights over the former ICG line between Corinth, Mississippi and Fulton, Kentucky.


WTNN operates on a daily basis and has interchanges with CSX, KCS, NS, and CN.  Car storage and transloading services are provided in several convenient areas along the WTNN line.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm lens, 1/800 sec, f/11, ISO 125.

May 13, 2020 - Paducah and Louisville Railway 1998, University of Kentucky engine, leads a Scotty's Rock train as it rounds a curve in the valley south of Caneyville, Ky on LV1 with PAL 2100 and 2121 trailing, bound for Madisonville, Ky Tech Info:Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, 1/500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 560.

PAL Scotty’s Rock train south of Caneyville, Ky

May 13, 2020 – Paducah and Louisville Railway 1998, University of Kentucky engine, leads a Scotty’s Rock train as it rounds a curve in the valley south of Caneyville, Ky on LV1 with PAL 2100 and 2121 trailing, bound for Madisonville, Ky

Tech Info:Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, 1/500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 560.

May 13, 2020 - Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) 1998, University of Kentucky engine, leads a Scotty's Rock train south on LV1 with PAL 2100 and 2121 trailing. The pull at this point is a hard one as they work upgrade out of Litchfield, Kentucky after picking a load of rock cars from Scotty's Contracting & Stone at Litchfield, bound for their Madisonville operation. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Fuji 18-55mm @ 18mm, 1/1000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 250.

PAL Scotty’s Rock Train southbound…

May 13, 2020 – Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) 1998, University of Kentucky engine, leads a Scotty’s Rock train south on LV1 with PAL 2100 and 2121 trailing.

The pull at this point is a hard one as they work upgrade out of Litchfield, Kentucky after picking a load of rock cars from Scotty’s Contracting & Stone at Litchfield, bound for their Madisonville operation.

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Fuji 18-55mm @ 18mm, 1/1000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 250.

May 11, 2020 - With five engines on the head-end it looks like it would be leading a massive train, but it was only around 4000 ft with, only about 2800 tons so the, 4 units behind CSXT 3059 were isolated for fuel conservation. Still, it made for a great photograph as it passed through the S curve at Nortonville, Ky on its way south along the Henderson Subdivision on this beautiful Spring day. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11 @ 1/1600 sec, ISO 280.

CSX Q025 SB with 5 units at Nortonville, Kentucky

May 11, 2020 – With five engines on the head-end it looks like it would be leading a massive train, but it was only around 4000 ft with, only about 2800 tons so the, 4 units behind CSXT 3059 were isolated for fuel conservation. Still, it made for a great photograph as it passed through the S curve at Nortonville, Ky on its way south along the Henderson Subdivision on this beautiful Spring day.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Irex 11mm, f/11 @ 1/1600 sec, ISO 280.

May 11, 2020 - I'm really pleased with this shot of a three-way meet of CSXT 713 leading a northbound Q503 as it passes G155 and Q502 in the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision. Three Way meets can really be hard to capture, but for this one, the right location, direction and weather combined, provided all the right elements!! Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70mm @70mm, 1/1600 sec, f/7, ISO 800.

Three-way meet between CSX Q503, G155 and Q502 at Kelly, Kentucky

May 11, 2020 – I’m really pleased with this shot of a three-way meet of CSXT 713 leading a northbound Q503 as it passes G155 and Q502 in the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision. Three Way meets can really be hard to capture, but for this one, the right location, direction and weather combined, provided all the right elements!!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70mm @70mm, 1/1600 sec, f/7, ISO 800.

May 8, 2020 - Louisville and Indiana Railroad Honoring Our Veterans units 3001 & 3002 bask in the late evening light outside the shops at Jeffersonville, Indiana. According to Wikipedia and the Internet: The Louisville and Indiana Railroad is a Class III railroad that operates freight service between Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky, with a major yard and maintenance shop in Jeffersonville, Indiana. It is owned by Anacostia Rail Holdings. The 106-mile line was purchased from Conrail in March 1994. The logo on the units were designed by Tyler Hardin and depicts silhouettes of three soldiers from different eras against a backdrop of the American flag. The design, framed by the LIRC keystone, includes five stars for the branches of the service and the legend “Honoring Our Veterans.” A soldier in the center wears a contemporary helmet, flanked by a pair of soldiers, one wearing a World War I-era “Doughboy” helmet and the other an M1 helmet from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The locomotives are 3,000 h.p. SD40-2 units numbered 3001 and 3002, and were repainted during a recent upgrade at Metro East Industries Inc. in Fairview Heights, Ill., a suburb of St. Louis. The units are leased from CIT Rail.

Louisville and Indiana Railroad Honoring Our Veterans units…

May 8, 2020 – Louisville and Indiana Railroad Honoring Our Veterans units 3001 & 3002 bask in the late evening light outside the shops at Jeffersonville, Indiana.

According to Wikipedia and the Internet: The Louisville and Indiana Railroad is a Class III railroad that operates freight service between Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky, with a major yard and maintenance shop in Jeffersonville, Indiana. It is owned by Anacostia Rail Holdings. The 106-mile line was purchased from Conrail in March 1994.

The logo on the units were designed by Tyler Hardin and depicts silhouettes of three soldiers from different eras against a backdrop of the American flag. The design, framed by the LIRC keystone, includes five stars for the branches of the service and the legend “Honoring Our Veterans.” A soldier in the center wears a contemporary helmet, flanked by a pair of soldiers, one wearing a World War I-era “Doughboy” helmet and the other an M1 helmet from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

The locomotives are 3,000 h.p. SD40-2 units numbered 3001 and 3002, and were repainted during a recent upgrade at Metro East Industries Inc. in Fairview Heights, Ill., a suburb of St. Louis. The units are leased from CIT Rail.