CSX Railroad – Page 3 – Jim Pearson Photography

CSX empty coal train E002, with CSX Pere Marquette Heritage Unit 1899 leading at Madisonville, Ky

CSX empty coal train E002, with CSX Pere Marquette Heritage Unit 1899 leading, waits on the main at East Diamond, as the Paducah and Louisville Railway local takes the lead heading back to their railroad after interchanging with CSX at Madisonville, Ky on August 4th, 2025.

According to a CSX Press Release: May 1, 2024 – CSX has introduced the latest addition in its heritage locomotive series, paying homage to the rich history of the Pere Marquette Railroad. This new unit showcases the Pere Marquette’s legacy, dating back to its inception on November 1, 1899.

The Pere Marquette Railroad, operating in the Great Lakes region of the United States and parts of southern Ontario, Canada, derived its name from Jacques Marquette, a notable French Jesuit missionary credited with founding Michigan’s first European settlement in Sault Ste Marie. After years of operation, the company merged with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) on June 6, 1947, eventually becoming part of the renowned CSX network.

The design of the Pere Marquette heritage locomotive was meticulously crafted by employees at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop. According to CSX Carman Painter Eric Lee, “We had to measure each stripe precisely and position the words just right to ensure it captured the look of the original design. It took us about four days just to lay out the stripes before we could begin painting.”

A fascinating tidbit related to the history of Pere Marquette is its cameo in the 2004 film “The Polar Express.” The steam locomotive Pere Marquette 1225 served as the inspiration for the train depicted in the movie, with audio recordings of the actual locomotive in operation featured in the film. Interestingly, the locomotive had been donated to Michigan State University and was exhibited near the university’s football stadium. The author of “The Polar Express” book drew inspiration from seeing this locomotive on display during childhood, solidifying its place in popular culture.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

CSXT 4035 leads weed spraying train W054 as they work their way north at 15mph at Romney, Nortonville, Ky

CSXT 4035 leads weed spraying train W054 as they work their way north at 15mph at Romney, Nortonville, Kentucky, on July 30th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

According to Wikipedia: A weed sprayer train controls the growth of weeds and other vegetation along railroad rights-of-way that can cause significant issues with drainage, obstruct worker access and become a nuisance to adjacent property owners.

Tech Info: iPhone 16pro Frame Grab from 4K Video.

CSXT 1713 leads Geometry train W001 north as they take the cutoff at Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Ky

CSXT 1713 leads Geometry train W001 north as they take the cutoff at Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Kentucky on July 30th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

A geometry train pulls equipment to test several parameters of the track geometry. Some of the parameters generally measured include position, curvature, alignment of the track, smoothness, and the crosslevel of the two rails. The cars use a variety of sensors, measuring systems, and data management systems to create a profile of the track being inspected.

Tech Info: This is a 4K video frame grab shot by my DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

CSXT 4035 leads weed spraying train W054 as they work their way north at 15mph at Nortonville, Kentucky

CSXT 4035 leads weed spraying train W054 as they work their way north at 15mph at Nortonville, Kentucky on July 30th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

According to Wikipedia: A weed sprayer train controls the growth of weeds and other vegetation along railroad right-of-ways that can cause significant issues with drainage, obstruct worker access and become a nuisance to adjacent property owners.

Tech Info: This is a 4K video frame grab shot by my DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

CSX I128 pulls onto the cutoff at Mortons Junction from the main at Mortons Gap, Ky

CSX I128 pulls onto the cutoff at Mortons Junction from the main as it heads north on the CSX Henderson Subdivision on July 30th, 2025. This track bypasses the downtown areas of Earlington and Madisonville, Ky and joins back onto the main at Arklow, just north of Madisonville. This stretch of track allows the dispatcher to run opposing trains around each other.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 190.

August 2nd, 2025 – Episode 135 Saturday Edited Video from Jim Pearson Photography

August 2nd, 2025 – Episode 135 Saturday Edited Video from Jim Pearson Photography In this week’s video we catch trains from the ground and the air between Earlington and Kelly, Ky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen and enjoy the trains!! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching!

CSX loaded coal train, C306, passes under a SB NS train at Monarch, Madisonville, Ky

On the track above we see an empty Norfolk Southern southbound coal train on the Paducah and Louisville Railway at the location known as Monarch at Madisonville, Ky as a southbound CSX loaded coal train, C306, passes under them, on July 29th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. It would have been great if the CSX had got there about 45 seconds sooner or the NS train the same later so I could have caught the power from both trains in one shot, but I’ll take it how I can get it!!

I’ve been trying for some time to get trains on both tracks and while I would like for it to be the headend power on both tracks, it would be a Miracle, but I plan to keep trying!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 120.

CSX hot intermodal I025 passes the Gibson County Visitors Center at Princeton, IN

CSX hot intermodal I025 passes the Gibson County Visitors Center, which is the restored C&EI and L&N Depot at Princeton, Indiana on July 28th, 2025. This is also the location of one of the Virtual Railfan Cameras that stream live feeds from the depot 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This train also carries autoracks, loaded with Tesla’s, bound for Florida.

The depot was built in 1875 and has been beautifully restored. Once housing the C&EI and L&N railways, it was the lifeline of commerce and transportation for the county. Passenger service was discontinued in the late 1960’s. The Princeton Train Depot is now home to the Gibson County Visitors Center and features a railway museum with a restored Wabash train caboose #2856.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

CSX M688 heads north across the Ohio River on the 14th Street Bridge at Louisville, Ky

CSX M688 heads north across the Ohio River on the 14th Street Bridge (Louisville and Indiana (L&I) Bridge) at Louisville, Ky on July 28th, 2025. This bridge carries traffic for the Louisville and Indiana, along with the CSX Railroad. In the background is downtown Louisville, Ky.

According to Wikipedia: The Fourteenth Street Bridge, also known as the Ohio Falls Bridge, Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge, Conrail Railroad Bridge or Louisville and Indiana (L&I) Bridge, is a truss drawbridge that spans the Ohio River, between Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana.

Built by the Louisville Bridge Company and completed in 1870, the bridge was operated for many years by the Pennsylvania Railroad, giving the company its only access to Kentucky. Ownership of the railroad and the bridge passed on to Penn Central and later Conrail, which then sold the line from Louisville to Indianapolis, Indiana to the Louisville and Indiana Railroad, the current bridge owner.

The draw portion of the bridge is a vertical-lift span, built in about 1918 in place of a swing span. The towers and machinery of the lift span were designed by Waddell and Son, Inc., and there is a plaque on the SW tower reading, “Waddell Vertical Lift Bridge, Waddell and Son, 1917”. The draw span is across the upstream end of the Louisville and Portland Canal, which includes the McAlpine Locks and Dam. Ohio River traffic passes through this canal to navigate past the Falls of the Ohio.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 110.

CSX northbound intermodal I128 passes B621 at Crofton, Ky

CSX northbound intermodal I128 passes B621, a loaded ethanol train, as they wait in the siding at Crofton, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on April 23, 2025.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 110.

CSX I025 waits in the siding at Kelly, Ky for I128 to pass

CSX I025 waits in the siding at Kelly, Ky with CSXT 3194 Law Enforcement Unit leading the way, on July 22nd, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, as they wait for I128 NB to pass.

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: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1600, ISO 130.

CSXT GMS-2, running as W002-22 heads north as they pass the Junction at Mortons Gap, Kentucky

CSXT GMS-2, running as W002-22 heads north as they pass the Junction at Mortons Gap, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on July 22nd, 2025.

From what I found on the Web: G-Gauge M-Measurement S-System is one of 2 such vehicles on CSX. It puts artificial stress in different directions on the rail to simulate a passing train and measures the amount of deflection caused by said stress to determine if tie, spikes and anchor systems are functioning as needed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

CSXT 983 leads autorack train M217 south at Robards, Ky

A newly painted and refurbished CSXT 983 leads autorack train M217 south as it passed the signals at the north end of the siding at Kelly, Kentucky on April 23rd, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: Nikon Z6ii, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 150mm, f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 250.

CSXT 3118 leads B621, a loaded ethanol train, as they wait in the siding at Crofton, Kentucky

CSXT 3118 leads B621, a loaded ethanol train, as they wait in the siding at Crofton, Kentucky, as they wait for northbound intermodal I128 to pass them, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on April 23, 2025.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 140.

CSXT 3027 leading CSX M500 as they climb the grade out of Mortons Gap, Ky

In this week’s Saturday Infrared photo, we catch CSXT 3027 leading CSX M500 as they climb the grade out of Mortons Gap, Ky, on April 24th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

Tech Info: Fuji, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 170mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO 400.

July 26th, 2025 – Episode 134Saturday Edited Video from Jim Pearson Photography

In this week’s video we catch trains from the ground and the air between Robards and Hopkinsville, Ky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, including CSXT GMS-2 inspecting track between Hopkinsville and Nortonville, Ky. Sit back, turn up the sound, expand to full screen and enjoy the trains!! Please like, share, subscribe and thanks for watching!

CSX M513 heads south over the flooded Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky

CSX M513 heads south over the flooded Ohio River at Henderson, Kentucky on April 8th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

This area of Kentucky and southern Indiana got record breaking rainfall throughout the region over a three-day period which resulted in major flooding on both sides of the Ohio River. In the distance you can see the farmlands which have been totally covered by the flooding and the ballast deck out of Evansville was close to being covered, but fortunately it didn’t happen.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

CSX I025 heads south at Mortons Gap, Ky with CSXT 3194 Law Enforcement Unit leading

CSX I025 heads south at Mortons Gap, Ky with CSXT 3194 Law Enforcement Unit leading the way, on July 22nd, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision.

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: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 250.

CSXT GMS-2, running as W002-22, passes the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad depot at Hopkinsville, Ky

CSXT GMS-2, running as W002-22, passes the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad depot in downtown Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on July 22nd, 2025.

From what I found on the Web: G-Gauge M-Measurement S-System is one of 2 such vehicles on CSX. It puts artificial stress in different directions on the rail to simulate a passing train and measures the amount of deflection caused by said stress to determine if tie, spikes and anchor systems are functioning as needed.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/3200, ISO 250.

CSX I025 heads south at Breton, Kentucky as CSX Monon Heritage Unit 1897 leads at Breton, Ky

CSX I025 heads south at Breton, Kentucky as CSX Monon Heritage Unit 1897 leads it under dark threatening skies on April 2nd, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision. The eleven autoracks behind the engine are loaded with Tesla’s bound for Florida and overseas market from what I’m told.

Capturing this engine means I’ve caught all of CSX’s Heritage units except for the Georgia Heritage Unit, and that one is only a matter of time!

According to a CSX Press Release: January 26, 2024 – In a tribute to its rich railroad history, CSX has unveiled its Monon 1897 heritage locomotive, marking the ninth release its ongoing heritage series honoring the company’s predecessor railroads.

“The Monon Railroad ran from Chicago down to Louisville but most of it was in Indiana,” explained CSX Carman Jason Merritt, who assisted with the heritage project. “Eventually it merged with the Louisville and Nashville Lines and was later absorbed by CSX.”

The new heritage locomotive emerges fresh from the Class I railroad’s paint shop in Waycross, Ga., showcasing a blend of modern and historic aesthetics. The design features the modern CSX design on the head end, transitioning seamlessly into the historic paint scheme and logo of the Monon line. This style reflects the approach taken with previous installations in the CSX heritage series, which often feature the current CSX paint scheme on the nose and the predecessor’s scheme on the body.

“A lot of hard work and planning goes into each project,” said Merritt. “We want to get these right, so we take pride in what we do, from the wash rack to moving them out the door.”

The new Monon heritage locomotive is a testament to the enduring legacy of America’s railroads. It stands as a symbol of the past while simultaneously pointing towards the future, embodying the spirit of evolution and innovation that drives CSX.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 130.

CSX M512 heads north at Kelly, Kentucky on April 30th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision

CSX M512 heads north at Kelly, Kentucky on April 30th, 2025, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision as they approach the Grapevine Road Crossing on the cutoff at Madisonville, Ky.

The train was hauling three wrecked locomotives, CSXT 3469, 3299 and 245, on flats behind the head end power. From what I understand the units were from the signal suspension head on wreck in Folkston, GA last year. CSXT 245 was on the rock train and the other two were on I032.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/4000, ISO 190.