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!

April 29, 2020 - Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, leads NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) across the Wabash River bridge at Mt. Carmel, Illinois as it heads west on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis. Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 150-600 @ 450mm, f/8, 1/1250 sec, ISO 640.

Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit at Mt. Carmel, IL

April 29, 2020 – Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, leads NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) across the Wabash River bridge at Mt. Carmel, Illinois as it heads west on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis.

Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 150-600 @ 450mm, f/8, 1/1250 sec, ISO 640.

April 29, 2020 - Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, leads NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) as it heads down the curve approaching the crossing on County Road 150 at Princeton, Indiana as it heads west on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis. Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 150-600 @ 180mm, f/9, 1/1000sec, ISO 400.

Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit at Princeton, IN

April 29, 2020 – Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, leads NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) as it heads down the curve approaching the crossing on County Road 150 at Princeton, Indiana as it heads west on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis.
Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 150-600 @ 180mm, f/9, 1/1000sec, ISO 400.

July 8, 2010 - A CSX MOW rail train crew works on picking up old track through downtown Mortons Gap, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision. Tech info: Nikon D300, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 300mm, f/7, 1/400 at ISO 500.

July 8, 2010 – A CSX MOW rail train crew works at the dangerous job of picking up old track through downtown Mortons Gap, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision.

Tech info: Nikon D300, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 300mm, f/7, 1/400 at ISO 500.

WEB-08.08.09 CSXT 154 Leads SB Work Train at Covington, Ky

CSXT 154 & 395 as it led a maintenance of way train…

August 8, 2009 – During one of my many trips over the years to Summer Rail I caught CSXT 154 & 395 as it led a maintenance of way train, with two switches in gondolas, as it crossed over the Ohio River at Covington, Kentucky as it headed south off the C&O Railroad bridge from Cincinnati, Ohio.

April 29, 2020 - Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, leads NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) as passes through Hatfield Junction, east of Oakland City, Indiana, as it heads west on the NS Southern East-West District. In 2012, Norfolk Southern celebrated 30 years of being formed, and painted 20 new locomotives in predecessor schemes to honor its heritage. GE ES44AC #8025 was painted into the Monongahela scheme. According to Wikipedia: The Monongahela Railway (reporting mark MGA) was a coal-hauling short line railroad in Pennsylvania and West Virginia in the United States. It was jointly controlled originally by the Pennsylvania Railroad, New York Central subsidiary Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, with NYC and PRR later succeeded by Penn Central Transportation. The company operated its own line until it was merged into Conrail on May 1, 1993. Conrail would be bought in 1998 by Norfolk Southern and CSX. Eleven GE Class B23-7Rs (sometimes referred to as Super 7s), the Monongahela's final locomotive fleet numbered 2300-2310, were renumbered 2030-2040 by Conrail, then divided between NS and CSX when they operationally took over Conrail operations in 1999. Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 150-600 @ 390mm, f/9, 1/1000 sec, ISO 560.

Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit at Hatfield Junction…

April 29, 2020 – Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, leads NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) as passes through Hatfield Junction, east of Oakland City, Indiana, as it heads west on the NS Southern East-West District.

In 2012, Norfolk Southern celebrated 30 years of being formed, and painted 20 new locomotives in predecessor schemes to honor its heritage. GE ES44AC #8025 was painted into the Monongahela scheme.

According to Wikipedia: The Monongahela Railway (reporting mark MGA) was a coal-hauling short line railroad in Pennsylvania and West Virginia in the United States. It was jointly controlled originally by the Pennsylvania Railroad, New York Central subsidiary Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, with NYC and PRR later succeeded by Penn Central Transportation. The company operated its own line until it was merged into Conrail on May 1, 1993.

Conrail would be bought in 1998 by Norfolk Southern and CSX. Eleven GE Class B23-7Rs (sometimes referred to as Super 7s), the Monongahela’s final locomotive fleet numbered 2300-2310, were renumbered 2030-2040 by Conrail, then divided between NS and CSX when they operationally took over Conrail operations in 1999.

Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 150-600 @ 390mm, f/9, 1/1000 sec, ISO 560.

April 28, 2020 - As the late afternoon light rakes across the scene we find the crew on CSX Q513 getting ready to do a roll by inspection on CSX Q028 as it heads north end of the siding at Hazelton, Indiana on the CE&D Subdivision on a beautiful spring day. Tech: Nikon D800, Sigma 24-70 at 36mm, f/5, 1/800 @ ISO 125 in RAW.

Digital Art – CSX Q028 meets Q513 at Hazelton, Indiana

April 28, 2020 – As the late afternoon light rakes across the scene we find the crew on CSX Q513 getting ready to do a roll by inspection on CSX Q028 as it heads north end of the siding at Hazelton, Indiana on the CE&D Subdivision on a beautiful spring day.

April 28, 2020 - As the late afternoon light rakes across the scene we find the crew on CSX Q513 getting ready to do a roll by inspection on CSX Q028 as it heads north end of the siding at Hazelton, Indiana on the CE&D Subdivision on a beautiful spring day. Tech: Nikon D800, Sigma 24-70 at 36mm, f/5, 1/800 @ ISO 125 in RAW.

CSX Q028 meets Q513 at Hazelton, IN

April 28, 2020 – As the late afternoon light rakes across the scene we find the crew on CSX Q513 getting ready to do a roll by inspection on CSX Q028 as it heads north end of the siding at Hazelton, Indiana on the CE&D Subdivision on a beautiful spring day.

Tech: Nikon D800, Sigma 24-70 at 36mm, f/5, 1/800 @ ISO 125 in RAW.

April 29, 2020 - After working making a drop off at the yard in Princeton, Indiana, Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, pulls NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) west on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis, Mo. Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/8, 1/1250sec, ISO 360.

Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, pulls NS 168…

April 29, 2020 – After working making a drop off at the yard in Princeton, Indiana, Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, pulls NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) west on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis, Mo.

Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 24-70 @ 24mm, f/8, 1/1250sec, ISO 360.

April 29, 2020 - Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, leads NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) as it heads down the curve approaching the crossing on County Road 150 at Princeton, Indiana as it heads west on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis. Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 150-600 @ 200mm, f/9, 1/1000sec, ISO 280.

Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit…

April 29, 2020 – Norfolk Southern 8025, Monongahela Heritage Unit, leads NS 168 (Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO) as it heads down the curve approaching the crossing on County Road 150 at Princeton, Indiana as it heads west on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis.

Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Sigma 150-600 @ 200mm, f/9, 1/1000sec, ISO 280.

April 29, 2020 - Well, for the first time since this pandemic began I left the state today! One of the four remaining Norfolk Southern Heritage Units that I haven't caught, NS 8025 (Monongahela) was leading NS 168 westbound from Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. In this shot I caught him after he passed the signals at East Douglas in Princeton, Indiana as it made its way on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis. Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Irex 11mm @ f/9, 1/1000sec, ISO 200.

NS Monongahela Heritage Unit at Princeton, IN

April 29, 2020 – Well, for the first time since this pandemic began I left the state today! One of the four remaining Norfolk Southern Heritage Units that I haven’t caught, NS 8025 (Monongahela) was leading NS 168 westbound from Louisville, KY to St. Louis, MO and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

In this shot I caught him after he passed the signals at East Douglas in Princeton, Indiana as it made its way on the NS Southern East-West District toward St. Louis.

Tech: Nikon D800, Lens: Irex 11mm @ f/9, 1/1000sec, ISO 200.

April 27, 2020 - Newly rebuilt and repainted Metra locomotive 190 runs as the trailing unit on CSX Q648 as it passes through the S curve on main two at Nortonville, Ky as it heads north on the Henderson Subdivision on its way to Chicago, Illinois.

Metra locomotive 190 runs as the trailing unit on CSX Q648…

April 27, 2020 – Newly rebuilt and repainted Metra locomotive 190 runs as the trailing unit on CSX Q648 as it passes through the S curve on main two at Nortonville, Ky as it heads north on the Henderson Subdivision on its way to Chicago, Illinois.

October 20, 2008 - The late evening light rakes across the base of Mormon Rocks as UP 5958 and 6266 (ex-Southern Pacific Unit) lead a west bound freight down the Cajon Pass in southern California. Local legend has it that the rocks were named for the Mormon pioneers who camped here after their descent from the pass ridgeline. Another legend calls the rocks the 'Chanting Rocks,' as when the wind would blow across the portholes in the rocks it was said the sound made was similar to a low chanting or singing.

The late evening light rakes across the base of Mormon Rocks…

October 20, 2008 – The late evening light rakes across the base of Mormon Rocks as UP 5958 and 6266 (ex-Southern Pacific Unit) lead a west bound freight down the Cajon Pass in southern California.

Local legend has it that the rocks were named for the Mormon pioneers who camped here after their descent from the pass ridgeline. Another legend calls the rocks the ‘Chanting Rocks,’ as when the wind would blow across the portholes in the rocks it was said the sound made was similar to a low chanting or singing.

April 20, 2020 - The crew on CSX Geometry inspection train W001 conducts a roll-by inspection ballast train W086 at the north end of Robards Siding as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision at Robards, Kentucky.

The crew on CSX Geometry inspection train W001…

April 20, 2020 – The crew on CSX Geometry inspection train W001 conducts a roll-by inspection ballast train W086 at the north end of Robards Siding as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision at Robards, Kentucky.

April 20, 2020 - The engineer on loaded grain CSX train G217, keeps his eyes on the track ahead at Oak Hill, between Mortons Gap and Nortonville, Ky, as his train meets Q502 as they both make their way along the Henderson Subdivision.

CSX G217 meets Q502 at Oak Hill, Little Valley, Ky

April 20, 2020 – The engineer on loaded grain CSX train G217, keeps his eyes on the track ahead at Oak Hill, between Mortons Gap and Nortonville, Ky, as his train meets Q502 as they both make their way along the Henderson Subdivision.

April 20, 2020 - CSXT G213 passes CSXT 6025 heading up Geometry Inspection train W001-20 as they inspect track two, just south of Anaconda at Robards, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision. On the rear of the trains is the actual track geometry car (also known as a track recording car) which is an automated track inspection vehicle. It used to test several geometric parameters of the track without obstructing normal railroad operations. Some of the parameters generally measured include position, curvature, alignment of the track, smoothness, and the cross level of the two rails. It uses a variety of sensors, measuring systems, and data management systems to create a profile of the track being inspected.

Geometry Inspection train W001-20 at Robards, Ky

April 20, 2020 – CSXT G213 passes CSXT 6025 heading up Geometry Inspection train W001-20 as they inspect track two, just south of Anaconda at Robards, Kentucky on the Henderson Subdivision.

On the rear of the trains is the actual track geometry car (also known as a track recording car) which is an automated track inspection vehicle.

It used to test several geometric parameters of the track without obstructing normal railroad operations. Some of the parameters generally measured include position, curvature, alignment of the track, smoothness, and the cross level of the two rails.

It uses a variety of sensors, measuring systems, and data management systems to create a profile of the track being inspected.