Live – May 1st, 2022 – CSX S994 meets Q500 at Mortons Junction, Mortons Gap, Kentucky

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Live – May 1st, 2022 – CSX S994 hauling an oversized transformer load pulls off the cutoff at Mortons Gap, Ky and heads south on the Henderson Subdivision after waiting for a northbound Q500 to get past him. Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to Subscribe and Ring the Notification Bell so you won’t miss any of my future videos! Have a blessed day everyone!!
Hostlers for Nevada Northern Railway watch as engine 81 backs out of the engine house into the frigid morning air at Ely, Nevada, during the museums 2022 Winter Photo Charter event on February 13th, 2022. The Hostler is responsible for preparing the locomotive for use and maintaining safe and appropriate conditions. He will also direct and monitor the activities of the Hostler Helpers in their duties. The Hostler MUST have a thorough knowledge of the locomotive appliances and the operation of each. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. Locomotive #81 is a "Consolidation" type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/3.5, 1/160, ISO 400. #nevadanorthernrailway #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Hostlers for Nevada Northern Railway watch as engine 81 backs out of the engine house at Ely, Nevada

Hostlers for Nevada Northern Railway watch as engine 81 backs out of the engine house into the frigid morning air at Ely, Nevada, during the museums 2022 Winter Photo Charter event on February 13th, 2022.

The Hostler is responsible for preparing the locomotive for use and maintaining safe and appropriate conditions. He will also direct and monitor the activities of the Hostler Helpers in their duties. The Hostler MUST have a thorough knowledge of the locomotive appliances and the operation of each.

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway.

Locomotive #81 is a “Consolidation” type (2-8-0) steam locomotive that was built for the Nevada Northern in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, at a cost of $23,700. It was built for Mixed service to haul both freight and passenger trains on the Nevada Northern railway.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-24 @ 10mm, f/3.5, 1/160, ISO 400.

Evansville Western Railway 2115 leads the way as it heads south over the Canadian Nationals Centralia Subdivision in downtown Ashley, Illinois as it makes its way back to Mount Vernon, IN after working the Agripride Grainery in Nashville, IL on April 27th, 2022. The Evansville Western Railway (reporting mark EVWR) is a Class III common carrier shortline railroad operating in the southern Illinois and Indiana region. It is one of three regional railroad subsidiaries owned and operated by Paducah and Louisville Railway Transportation. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Evansville Western Railway crosses the diamond at Ashley, Illinois

Evansville Western Railway 2115 leads the way as it heads south over the Canadian Nationals Centralia Subdivision in downtown Ashley, Illinois as it makes its way back to Mount Vernon, IN after working the Agripride Grainery in Nashville, IL on April 27th, 2022.

The Evansville Western Railway (reporting mark EVWR) is a Class III common carrier shortline railroad operating in the southern Illinois and Indiana region. It is one of three regional railroad subsidiaries owned and operated by Paducah and Louisville Railway Transportation.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150.

Illinois Central “Death Star” 1026 leads the daily A408 (Kirk Yard - Gary, IN - Centralia, IL) as it splits the signals just south of the Illinois Central Gulf crossing at Centralia, Illinois, arriving at its destination on April 27th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad which was built in 1853. The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged. Centralia was first chartered as a city in 1859. Now Canadian National owns the line. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 140mm, f/4.8, 1/2500, ISO 280. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #ICdeathstar #illinoiscentral #canadiannational

Illinois Central “Death Star” 1026 leads the daily A408 at Centralia, Illinois

Illinois Central “Death Star” 1026 leads the daily A408 (Kirk Yard – Gary, IN – Centralia, IL) as it splits the signals just south of the Illinois Central Gulf crossing at Centralia, Illinois, arriving at its destination on April 27th, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad which was built in 1853. The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged. Centralia was first chartered as a city in 1859. Now Canadian National owns the line.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 140mm, f/4.8, 1/2500, ISO 280.

BNSF 5649 sits on the inside loop at Calvert City Terminal, (CCT) as the sun rises over the train while another day of railroading begins on April 27th, 2022, on the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL). CCT is located at Calvert City, Kentucky off the Paducah and Louisville Railway line and receives coal daily from either BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX and of course PAL as well. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 170mm, f/5, 1/2500, ISO 320, -2 stops. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

BNSF 5649 sits on the inside loop at Calvert City Terminal at Sunrise, Calvert City, Kentucky

BNSF 5649 sits on the inside loop at Calvert City Terminal, (CCT) as the sun rises over the train while another day of railroading begins on April 27th, 2022, on the Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL). CCT is located at Calvert City, Kentucky off the Paducah and Louisville Railway line and receives coal daily from either BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX and of course PAL as well.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 170mm, f/5, 1/2500, ISO 320, -2 stops.

CSX 483 leads CSX Q228 passes the east end of the siding, just west of Skillman, Kentucky on the CSX Texas Line (LH&StL Subdivision) as it as 228 heads west to the Toyota Plant in Princeton, Indiana from Louisville, KY on March 7th, 2022. CSX currently runs two through trains daily along the line and it has been open now for about two weeks. It also sees several locals as well. While the bridge was shut down trains were pretty much just locals between Louisville and Henderson, Ky (where the Texas line runs). According to Wikipedia: The LH&STL Subdivision is a railroad line owned by CSX Transportation in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was originally built as the Louisville, Henderson, and Texas Railway in 1882, with the intent of building a line to Texas by way of St. Louis, Missouri. It was nicknamed "The Texas Line," by which it is still often referred today. The line fell into bankruptcy and was reorganized as the Louisville, Henderson, and St. Louis Railway in 1896. The rail line was acquired by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1929; the parent company still exists and holds other rail-related assets. Through a series of mergers, the line is now operated by CSX. The line runs from Louisville, Kentucky, to Henderson, Kentucky, for a total of 136.5 miles (219.7 km). At its east end the line continues west from the Louisville Terminal Subdivision, and at its west end the line continues west as the Henderson Subdivision of the Nashville Division. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/400, ISO 220. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

CSX 483 leads CSX Q228 passes the east end of the siding, just west of Skillman, Kentucky on the Texas Line

CSX 483 leads CSX Q228 passes the east end of the siding, just west of Skillman, Kentucky on the CSX Texas Line (LH&StL Subdivision) as it as 228 heads west to the Toyota Plant in Princeton, Indiana from Louisville, KY on March 7th, 2022.

CSX currently runs two through trains daily along the line and it has been open now for about two weeks. It also sees several locals as well. While the bridge was shut down trains were pretty much just locals between Louisville and Henderson, Ky (where the Texas line runs).

According to Wikipedia: The LH&STL Subdivision is a railroad line owned by CSX Transportation in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was originally built as the Louisville, Henderson, and Texas Railway in 1882, with the intent of building a line to Texas by way of St. Louis, Missouri. It was nicknamed “The Texas Line,” by which it is still often referred today. The line fell into bankruptcy and was reorganized as the Louisville, Henderson, and St. Louis Railway in 1896. The rail line was acquired by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1929; the parent company still exists and holds other rail-related assets. Through a series of mergers, the line is now operated by CSX.

The line runs from Louisville, Kentucky, to Henderson, Kentucky, for a total of 136.5 miles (219.7 km). At its east end the line continues west from the Louisville Terminal Subdivision, and at its west end the line continues west as the Henderson Subdivision of the Nashville Division.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/400, ISO 220.

On March 19th, 2022, CSX E895 with 1776, CSX's Spirit of our Armed Forces unit sits tied down east of Avon yard at Craft Runner outside of Indianapolis, Indiana on the Indianapolis Terminal Subdivision. This is one of three specialty painted units done by CSXT honoring troops, first responders and Law Enforcement. I had hoped to chase it moving south to Princeton, IN where it will load their train, but it didn’t happen until after dark. According to the CSXT website: new spirit of service and gratitude is rolling across the CSX rail network in the form of three locomotives that have been repainted and renamed in honor of our nation's military and first responders. The one-of-a-kind locomotives - the Spirit of our Armed Forces, the Spirit of our First Responders, and the Spirit of our Law Enforcement - are helping promote the CSX Pride in Service program, a signature community investment initiative with a goal of positively impacting 100,000 military service members, veterans, first responders and their families by 2020. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 240mm, f/5.3, 1/400, ISO 180. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

CSX E895 with 1776, CSX’s Spirit of our Armed Forces unit sits tied down outside of Indianapolis, Indiana

On March 19th, 2022, CSX E895 with 1776, CSX’s Spirit of our Armed Forces unit sits tied down east of Avon yard at Craft Runner outside of Indianapolis, Indiana on the Indianapolis Terminal Subdivision. This is one of three specialty painted units done by CSXT honoring troops, first responders and Law Enforcement. I had hoped to chase it moving south to Princeton, IN where it will load their train, but it didn’t happen until after dark.

According to the CSXT website: new spirit of service and gratitude is rolling across the CSX rail network in the form of three locomotives that have been repainted and renamed in honor of our nation’s military and first responders.

The one-of-a-kind locomotives – the Spirit of our Armed Forces, the Spirit of our First Responders, and the Spirit of our Law Enforcement – are helping promote the CSX Pride in Service program, a signature community investment initiative with a goal of positively impacting 100,000 military service members, veterans, first responders and their families by 2020.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 240mm, f/5.3, 1/400, ISO 180.

CSXT 3343 leads I028 crosses the bridge over the Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky as it makes its way north on the Henderson Subdivision on a beautiful spring day. It, along with about 7 other trains have been waiting on both sides of the river for a work curfew to expire that ran the length of the bridge and viaduct that runs between Henderson, Ky and Evansville, IN. Track crews have been working through the area all week, causing trains to back up on April 19th, 2022. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSXT 3343 leads I028 crosses the bridge over the Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky

CSXT 3343 leads I028 crosses the bridge over the Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky as it makes its way north on the Henderson Subdivision on a beautiful spring day. It, along with about 7 other trains have been waiting on both sides of the river for a work curfew to expire that ran the length of the bridge and viaduct that runs between Henderson, Ky and Evansville, IN. Track crews have been working through the area all week, causing trains to back up on April 19th, 2022.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 200.

CSXT 3293 leads I025 as it passes a crane just south of downtown Hanson, Kentucky on April 19th, 2022, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision. Preparations are underway at this spot to replace the bridge that the train is rolling across just south of the south end signals for the siding at Hanson. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSXT 3293 leads I025 as it passes a crane just south of downtown Hanson, Kentucky

CSXT 3293 leads I025 as it passes a crane just south of downtown Hanson, Kentucky on April 19th, 2022, as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision. Preparations are underway at this spot to replace the bridge that the train is rolling across just south of the south end signals for the siding at Hanson.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 110.

VR Location suggestions on the CSX Henderson Subdivision

Mortons Gap, Kentucky, Initial Contact, Ricky Bivins, he has contacts for the community and lives right by the mainline. His number is: 270-875-7838, Ricky is a past president of the West Kentucky Chapter of the NRHS.

This location is where the Henderson Cutoff that runs around Earlington and Madisonville, Ky come back together and allows a view of all traffic on the Henderson Subdivision. Also known as Mortons Junction.

Mortons Gap Photo 1 is looking north from a height of a pole that currently has power on the east side of the tracks.

Mortons Gap Photo 2 is looking south from the same location.

Mortons Gap Photo 3 is looking at the top of the pole

Crofton, Kentucky, Contact, Mayor Danny Lacy, 270-985-0695, This is our suggestion for a location. The mayor here is familiar with the West Kentucky Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and is railfan friendly. He is also working towards a grant to open a railfan park with a caboose here in the city and while I didn’t get a shot of the pole from the east side of the track you can see edges of the parking lot from the views where he hopes the railpark will go. He’s been made aware that someone may call about the possibility of putting a VR camera there.

This location has a siding where many trains meet and is a nice long straight stretch in both directions. I think he’d be open to installing a pole anywhere you’d like it.

Crofton Photo 1 is looking south as a north bound train passes a train in the siding. This view is from the west side of the tracks.
Crofton Photo 2 is looking south as a north bound train passes a train in the siding. This view is from the west side of the tracks. The building across the tracks is part of the fire department and to the left where you can see a parking area is where the purposed railfan park and caboose will be. The east side views are from the power pole in the middle of the parking area.
Crofton Photo 3 is looking south again showing the pole with a train in the siding. This view is from the west side of the tracks.
Crofton Photo 4 is looking north again showing the pole with a train in the siding. This view is from the west side of the tracks.
Crofton Photo 5 is looking north as a north bound train passes a train in the siding. This view is from the east side of the tracks from the pole where the purposed railfan park and caboose will be.
Crofton Photo 6 is looking south as a north bound train passes a train in the siding. This view is from the east side of the tracks from the pole where the purposed railfan park and caboose will be.
In this going away shot we see the full 8,256 feet of CSX I028 as it heads north across the Ohio River Bridge and viaduct on the CSX Henderson Subdivision from Henderson, Kentucky on April 19th, 2022. Between the viaduct and the bridge the total span above ground is just at 4.5 miles long. The current viaduct and bridge were built by the L&N railroad and were dedicated on the last day of 1932 at a cost about $4 million. It replaced one erected in 1885, also built by the L&N, which at that time was the longest channel span of that type in the world at 2.3 miles long. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 160 #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

CSX I028 northbound over the Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky with a 8,256 ft train

In this going away shot we see the full 8,256 feet of CSX I028 as it heads north across the Ohio River Bridge and viaduct on the CSX Henderson Subdivision from Henderson, Kentucky on April 19th, 2022. Between the viaduct and the bridge the total span above ground is just at 4.5 miles long.

The current viaduct and bridge were built by the L&N railroad and were dedicated on the last day of 1932 at a cost about $4 million. It replaced one erected in 1885, also built by the L&N, which at that time was the longest channel span of that type in the world at 2.3 miles long.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 160

Going Away shot - Looks can be deceiving as in this going away shot that looks like it is coming at us, as I caught Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal, and NS 8090 bringing up the rear of a loaded coal train on April 7th, 2022, as it headed north on the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Central City, Kentucky. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1500, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal northbound at Central City, Kentucky

Going Away shot – Looks can be deceiving as in this going away shot that looks like it is coming at us, as I caught Norfolk Southern Heritage Unit 1072, Illinois Terminal, and NS 8090 bringing up the rear of a loaded coal train on April 7th, 2022, as it headed north on the Paducah and Louisville Railway at Central City, Kentucky.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1500, ISO 130.

On March 14th, 2022, United States Army Gensets 6519 and 6520 head south as they approach the Locus Grove Road crossing at Hopkinsville, Kentucky with another loaded military train, returning from military exercises somewhere out west. The equipment was delivered by CSX S864, which was a Rose Lake, IL – Hopkinsville, Ky train and was one of about 5 trains that ran down the CSX CE&D and Henderson Subdivisions to Hopkinsville over the past week, returning equipment from training to Ft. Campbell. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 360mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

United States Army Gensets 6519 and 6520 head south from Hopkinsville, Kentucky with a military train

On March 14th, 2022, United States Army Gensets 6519 and 6520 head south as they approach the Locus Grove Road crossing at Hopkinsville, Kentucky with another loaded military train, returning from military exercises somewhere out west.

The equipment was delivered by CSX S864, which was a Rose Lake, IL – Hopkinsville, Ky train and was one of about 5 trains that ran down the CSX CE&D and Henderson Subdivisions to Hopkinsville over the past week, returning equipment from training to Ft. Campbell.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 360mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 100.

Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #93 pulls a wreck train southbound through Robinson Canyon after departing Ely, Nevada on the final day of their 3-day Winter Photography Charter on February 13th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: “The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway. The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the "Nevada Northern Railway Complex". The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region's copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception.” Locomotive #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored to service in 1993. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #nevadanorthernrailway #steamtrain

Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #93 pulls a wreck train out of Ely, Nevada

Nevada Northern Railway steam locomotive #93 pulls a wreck train southbound through Robinson Canyon after departing Ely, Nevada on the final day of their 3-day Winter Photography Charter on February 13th, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway.

The museum is situated at the East Ely Yards, which are part of the Nevada Northern Railway. The site is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places as the Nevada Northern Railway East Ely Yards and Shops and is also known as the “Nevada Northern Railway Complex”. The rail yards were designated a National Historic Landmark District on September 27, 2006. The site was cited as one of the best-preserved early 20th-century railroad yards in the nation, and a key component in the growth of the region’s copper mining industry. Developed in the first decade of the 20th century, it served passengers and freight until 1983, when the Kennecott Copper Company, its then-owner, donated the yard to a local non-profit for preservation. The property came complete with all the company records of the Nevada Northern from its inception.

Locomotive #93 is a 2-8-0 that was built by the American Locomotive Company in January of 1909 at a cost of $17,610. It was the last steam locomotive to retire from original revenue service on the Nevada Northern Railway in 1961 and was restored to service in 1993.

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