December 11, 2021 – CSX Q500 derailed on the Henderson Subdivision between Earlington and Mortons Gap, Ky

December 11, 2021 – CSX Q500 derailed on the Henderson Subdivision between Earlington and Mortons Gap, Ky on the night of December 10th due to the tornado that swept through the area at about 11pm causing major damage along its path.

According to news reports this tornado was on the ground through 6 states and caused major damage along its path including deaths. The crew on the train weathered the storm just fine thankfully. Prayers to all those who have been affected by this devastating storm!

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 200.

CSX Q513 Southbound passing the North Christian Veteran's Memorial Park at Crofton, Ky. Music City Star NRTX 121 (Ex Amtrak F40PH 398) trails on CSX Q513-22 as it passes the North Christian Veteran’s Memorial Park at Crofton, Ky on its way back south to Nashville, Tennessee, on the Henderson Subdivision, sporting a fresh coat of paint on May 23, 2021. According to Wikipedia: The Music City Star is a commuter rail service running between Nashville and Lebanon, Tennessee. The service uses the existing track of the Nashville and Eastern Railroad. The line stops at seven stations: Riverfront, Donelson, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Martha, Hamilton Springs, and Lebanon. The operation covers 32 miles of rail line. Service began on September 18, 2006 and is owned by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

CSX Q513 Southbound passing the North Christian Veteran’s Memorial Park at Crofton, Ky.

Music City Star NRTX 121 (Ex Amtrak F40PH 398) trails on CSX Q513-22 as it passes the North Christian Veteran’s Memorial Park at Crofton, Ky on its way back south to Nashville, Tennessee, on the Henderson Subdivision, sporting a fresh coat of paint on May 23, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: The Music City Star is a commuter rail service running between Nashville and Lebanon, Tennessee. The service uses the existing track of the Nashville and Eastern Railroad. The line stops at seven stations: Riverfront, Donelson, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Martha, Hamilton Springs, and Lebanon. The operation covers 32 miles of rail line. Service began on September 18, 2006 and is owned by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

Two way meet at Courland, TN on the CSX Henderson Subdivision A southbound CSX K423 passes a northbound CSX E002 at Courtland, Tennessee as they head their separate ways on the Henderson Subdivision on April 19th, 2021. The southbound K423 was headed up by a SD40-2 leading, with two Canadian Pacific units, pulling a loaded ethanol train and the NB E002 was a 12,500ft empty coal train (actually two trains joined together) with two DPUs in the middle. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

Two way meet at Courland, TN on the CSX Henderson Subdivision

A southbound CSX K443 passes a northbound CSX E002 at Courtland, Tennessee as they head their separate ways on the Henderson Subdivision on April 19th, 2021.

The southbound K443 was headed up by a SD40-2 leading, with two Canadian Pacific units, pulling a loaded ethanol train and the NB E002 was a 12,500ft empty coal train (actually two trains joined together) with two DPUs in the middle.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 100.

March 22nd, 2021 NB LGE PAL Coal Train

March 22nd, 2021 – Today we follow Paducah and Louisville Railway’s (PAL) LG1 (Louisville Gas & Electric) loaded coal train as it departs the Warrior Coal Lead at West Yard in Madisonville, from the ground and the air!
We catch it again at Bremen, Central City and Rockport, Kentucky as they make their way north to Louisville with PAL 4516, EVWR 4511, PAL 4503 & 2013 (University of Louisville) as power. Enjoy the ride!!

Southbound military move at Slaughters and Nortonville, Ky

Southbound military move at Slaughters and Nortonville, Ky

A short video from February 20th, 2021 on the Henderson Subdivision as W809 heads south with a load of military vehicles at Slaughters and Nortonville, Ky.

In the second clip the train finally crawled to a stop just south of Nortonville with CSXT 5473 and 3348 leading the 5,000+ load of military vehicles elephant style, to wait for another northbound Q648.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #jimpearsonphotography #iphonevideography

Tech Info: iPhone 11pro at 4K, a DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone and edited in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Southbound CSX K423 at Sebree, Ky CSXT 117 in YN2 paint leads 5294 and 5280 as they move loaded ethanol train K423-05 southbound out of Sebree, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision as the low light from the setting sun rakes shadows across the rolls of harvested corn and the cars on it's train. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Southbound CSX K423 at Sebree, Ky

CSXT 117 in YN2 paint leads 5294 and 5280 as they move loaded ethanol train K423-05 southbound out of Sebree, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision as the low light from the setting sun rakes shadows across the rolls of harvested corn and the cars on it’s train.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Canadian National meet at Mounds, IL Canadian National (CN) locomotive 3233 (Support our Troops) heads north on the CN Centralia Subdivision leading CN M396 as it passes a local working at Mounds, Illinois on December 15th, 2020. From a CN Press Release: "CN’s two new tribute locomotives (CN 3233 & 3015) pay homage to veterans and active military men and women across North America. Their custom design represents the proud footprint we have established across our network and our deep recognition for the veterans who live and work in the communities our trains pass through every day. Stay tuned as they make their debut on our main line in the coming days!" Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

Canadian National meet at Mounds, IL

Canadian National (CN) locomotive 3233 (Support our Troops) heads north on the CN Centralia Subdivision leading CN M396 as it passes a local working at Mounds, Illinois on December 15th, 2020.

From a CN Press Release: “CN’s two new tribute locomotives (CN 3233 & 3015) pay homage to veterans and active military men and women across North America. Their custom design represents the proud footprint we have established across our network and our deep recognition for the veterans who live and work in the communities our trains pass through every day. Stay tuned as they make their debut on our main line in the coming days!”

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

BNSF 7477 and 4051 working TRRA, Venice, IL Terminal Railroad Association (TRRA) crews work on dropping cars from a BNSF train at the St. Louis Madison yard at Venice, Illinois with BNSF 7477 and 4051 as power. According to the TRRA website: "Since 1889, the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis has played a vital role in the railroad operations and growth of the St. Louis metropolitan area on November 7th, 2020. The Association was originally created to satisfy the need for an efficient, safe, and economical method of interchanging rail traffic at the railroad hub of St. Louis, Missouri: the "Gateway to the West." Over 120 years later, the employees of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis make the same commitment to efficiency, safety, and value to our customers, owners, and the public with each new day." Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @220mm, f/6.3, 1/1600, ISO 560.

BNSF 7477 and 4051 working TRRA, Venice, IL

Terminal Railroad Association (TRRA) crews work on dropping cars from a BNSF train at the St. Louis Madison yard at Venice, Illinois with BNSF 7477 and 4051 as power.

According to the TRRA website: “Since 1889, the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis has played a vital role in the railroad operations and growth of the St. Louis metropolitan area on November 7th, 2020.

The Association was originally created to satisfy the need for an efficient, safe, and economical method of interchanging rail traffic at the railroad hub of St. Louis, Missouri: the “Gateway to the West.”
Over 120 years later, the employees of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis make the same commitment to efficiency, safety, and value to our customers, owners, and the public with each new day.”

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @220mm, f/6.3, 1/1600, ISO 560.

May 27, 2020 - Norfolk Southern Railway Wabash heritage unit 1070 passes through the NS/UP Diamond at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, as it leads NS 224 westbound on the NS Southern-West District. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 350mm, f/5.6, 1/640sec, ISO 560.

Norfolk Southern Railway Wabash heritage unit at Mt. Vernon, IL

May 27, 2020 – Norfolk Southern Railway Wabash heritage unit 1070 passes through the NS/UP Diamond at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, as it leads NS 224 westbound on the NS Southern-West District under stormy skies.

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 24-70 @ 24, f/5.6, 1/1000, ISO 360.

June 4, 2020 - The crew on Paducah and Louisville (PAL) 3800 wait patiently in the loading area of Scotty's Rock yard in Litchfield, Kentucky with a load of rock for Scotty's Vine Grove plant, for permission to head north with their train. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 310mm, f/8, 1/1250sec, ISO 900.

PAL waits to depart Scotty’s Rock yard in Litchfield, Kentucky

June 4, 2020 – The crew on Paducah and Louisville (PAL) 3800 wait patiently in the loading area of Scotty’s Rock yard in Litchfield, Kentucky with a load of rock for Scotty’s Vine Grove plant, for permission to head north with their train.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 310mm, f/8, 1/1250sec, ISO 900.

May 6, 2020 - Something you just don't see everyday is a CSX locomotive dragging 1/4 mile lengths of ribbon rail through the countryside, but that's what this picture shows! I got a call from good friend Keith Kittinger that CSX was moving rail from Providence to Madisonville, Ky on the Morganfield Branch by hooking it to CSXT 6926 by chain and dragging it between the rails with CSX crews flagging every crossing and others following behind the operation via high-rail vehicles. The rail was placed over a year ago with plans to replace the curves along the branch, but when Dotki mine closed down (only thing serviced between Madisonville and Providence) the work was never completed. Now, CSXT plans to start storing empty autoracks and intermodal flats along the line and so crews spent time moving the rail back toward the PeeVee Spur in Madisonville where it can be accessed when needed by the railroad. Keep an eye here on my page as I'll be posting a video of the operation later on today! Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @360mm, ISO 125, f/5.6, 1/800 sec.

CSXT 6926 pulling rail through Nebo, Ky

May 6, 2020 – Something you just don’t see everyday is a CSX locomotive dragging 1/4 mile lengths of ribbon rail through the countryside, but that’s what this picture shows!

I got a call from good friend Keith Kittinger that CSX was moving rail from Providence to Madisonville, Ky on the Morganfield Branch by hooking it to CSXT 6926 by chain and dragging it between the rails with CSX crews flagging every crossing and others following behind the operation via high-rail vehicles.

The rail was placed over a year ago with plans to replace the curves along the branch, but when Dotki mine closed down (only thing serviced between Madisonville and Providence) the work was never completed.

Now, CSXT plans to start storing empty autoracks and intermodal flats along the line and so crews spent time moving the rail back toward the PeeVee Spur in Madisonville where it can be accessed when needed by the railroad.

Watch a video of the operation by clicking here!

February 20, 2020 - Metra 167 pulls a southbound commuter train out of downtown Chicago, Illinois past the Amtrak facility as it approaches the 18th street overpass, as dusk falls over the city.

Steel Rails Sales Gallery now online!

I’ve had many inquires about purchasing prints from the photos in my Steel Rails exhibit that is going on now at the Anne P. Baker Gallery here in Madisonville, Ky, by those who live to far to purchase one at the gallery itself. Therefore I’ve created a gallery of the images in my Online Sales area where folks may purchase prints online. Just visit this link: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-jim-pearson?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=904285

November 7, 2019 - It's a wet and dreary day as CSXT 5205 passes through the switch at Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Kentucky as it leads CSX Q506 north on the Henderson Subdivision.

It’s a wet and dreary day as CSXT 5205…

November 7, 2019 – It’s a wet and dreary day as CSXT 5205 passes through the switch at Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Kentucky as it leads CSX Q506 north on the Henderson Subdivision.

Blast From The Past - Early 1990 - This is a photo of me in the high mountains of Tibet, China on a photo assignment to cover the airlifting of a Sikorsky Helicopter by way of a USAF C-5 Aircraft. I took a Polaroid Instant Camera with me and used it to take pictures of the local residents. Here I had just photographed a group of kids and they were all clamoring for the picture. Can't recall which one got this picture, but I did a bunch more till all the film was gone. The kids thought it was magic to watch the photo develop before their eyes, as did many of the other folks! This was my second and final trip to China before I retired from the Air Force.

Blast From The Past – Early 1990 – This is a photo of me in the high mountains of Tibet, China…

Blast From The Past – Early 1990 – This is a photo of me in the high mountains of Tibet, China on a photo assignment to cover the airlifting of a Sikorsky Helicopter by way of a USAF C-5 Aircraft. I took a Polaroid Instant Camera with me and used it to take pictures of the local residents.

Here I had just photographed a group of kids and they were all clamoring for the picture. Can’t recall which one got this picture, but I did a bunch more till all the film was gone. The kids thought it was magic to watch the photo develop before their eyes, as did many of the other folks!

This was my second and final trip to China before I retired from the Air Force.

The 52 former hostages are welcomed and cheered by hospital personnel as they arrive at the base after their release from Iran. The hostages will stay at the hospital for a few days before their departure to the United States.

Blast From The Past – Jan. 20, 1981 – The 52 former Iran hostages…

Blast From The Past – Jan. 20, 1981 – The 52 former Iran hostages are welcomed and cheered by hospital personnel as they arrive at the Wiesbaden Air Base hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany, after their release from Iran. The hostages stayed at the hospital for a few days before their departure to the United States. (USAF Photo by SSgt. James R. Pearson)