CSX Transportation Historical Society

CSX - Big Sandy SD - Summer 2022 #1

Here are some shots taken around Pikeville, Shelby, and Elkhorn City through the hot days of early summer 2022.

1. In the early evening of 06-26-2022, I was walking our dog when this westbound manifest came by behind CSX 297-3147-4853. WE Pauley.

2. Clear signal on the main at the west end of Pauley. CSX 297 7223.

3. The headlight of CSX 7223-112-3333 flashes to bright, and this awaiting eastbound empty McClure Mine train starts pulling. WE Pauley.

4. CSX 7223-112-3333. WE Pauley .

5. CP 9813-CSX 5201 pull out of the lead at the east end of Shelby with ethanol train B911-15 on 07-14-2022. That KCS on the main is the DPU on a westbound ethanol.

6. CSX signal flashing medium clear for B911 to enter the main line of the Kingsport Subdivision. Shelby.

7. CP B911-15 has 97 tanks of ethanol and 2 buffer cars. Shelby.

8. KCS 4077 DPU parked on the main line. Shelby.

9. Kansas City Southern de Mexico 4077 is a SD70ACe. Shelby.

10. KCS 4077 appears to have had a hard life in the torrid climate of Texas and Mexico. SD70ACe. Shelby.

11. KCS 4077 SD70ACe. Shelby.

12. KCS 4077 SD70ACe. Shelby, View 2.

13. KCS 4077 SD70ACe. Shelby.

14. BNSF ES44AC 6048 is on the business end of the westbound train. It didn’t leave for several hours. Shelby.

15. BNSF 6048 ES44AC. 2006. Shelby.

16. When M653-17 came by our house I noticed the unusual second engine. Due to the slow order on the main at the east end of Pauley (slide) I had time to beat it to FO Cabin. CSX 3447-CER 712. 07-17-2022.

17. M653-17 goes up the main to the east end of the yard for the crew change. CSX 3447-CER 712. Shelby.

18. CER 712 is an EMD model GP15-1. That smudge on right right corner is not a camera problem...it’s a thumb print on the filter. Shelby KY.

19. Charlotte Western Railroad (evidently its official name with no ampersand) is a subsidiary of Jaguar Transport Holdings. Jaguar acquired leasehold rights to this 13-mile short line which is owned by the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation. Charlotte Western connects with CSX (ex-SCL, nee SAL) at Mt. Holley and NS’s main line (ex-Sou.) at Gastonia. It was formerly SCL’s Gastonia Sub. (absorbed 1969) and before that the Piedmont & Northern Railway, an electric interurban. CER 712 GP15-1. Shelby.

20. Charlotte Western Railroad map. Cick here for a larger map image.

21. M653-17 stops on the main for the Russell crew to be picked up. Eastbound M693-15 is almost ready to depart with a Kingsport crew behind CSX 3129-3162-489. Shelby. 07-17-2022.

22. There’s that smudge again. Let’s just call it dust! LOL! CER 712 GP15-1. Shelby.

23. The engineer in North Carolina will have a retro-fitted air conditioner to survive the sultry summers. I can’t find any info on the heritage of this engine. CER 712 GP15-1. Shelby.

24. Another train that passed our house with a weird engine. This eastbound freight behind CSX 9051-5341-154-1776 arrived Shelby on 08-11-2022. A C44-8W is rare. I’ve read they have been de-rated to 4,000 HP. They were delivered in 1993-94, and several have been wrecked, retired or sold off. The conductor is walking ahead to align switches into the crowded yard. Shelby.

25. Here’s what my excitement is about! CSX No. 1776 is the former 3113, an ES44AC built 10-2013. Note the POW-MIA emblem below the rear sand fill cap. Shelby KY.

26. CSX 1776. View 2. Shelby.

27. CSX 1776. View 3. Shelby.

All for now. Everyone have a joyous Thanksgiving holiday!

Almost everything shut down here except the grocery store, Dollar General and McDonalds...even Walmart. CSX ran an eastbound DKPX this morning. Its power may have cut off and spotted for a fuel truck.