CSX Transportation Historical Society

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NS - Kenova District 05-18-2025

Rail Fan Adventure --

On Sunday, 05-18-2025, Christian and I headed over to the Kenova District with hopes of photographing a "Heritage" unit heading a train out of Portsmouth.

1. Panco is the westward reduction of double track to single track prior to entering Tunnel #1 on the "new" Big Sandy line.
Panco is the westward reduction of double track to single track prior to entering Tunnel #1 on the "new" Big Sandy line.

2. Time freight 18M-17 (Bellevue-Crewe) rumbles by with 92 loads and 17 empties.
Time freight 18M-17 (Bellevue-Crewe) rumbles by with 92 loads and 17 empties.

3. 18M has 4325 for a DPU. I am not sure if 18M will require a manned pusher over the Pokey up to Bluefield.
18M has 4325 for a DPU. I am not sure if 18M will require a manned pusher over the Pokey up to Bluefield.

4. Panco signals line up for a westbound. We head around to the Kermit side of Tunnel #1. No. 51V-16 burst out of the notched tunnel portal. Today 51V has 41 time freight empties plus 104 grain empties for a total of 145 cars. The grain cars are going to Milford, IN.
Panco signals line up for a westbound. We head around to the Kermit side of Tunnel #1. No. 51V-16 burst out of the notched tunnel portal. Today 51V has 41 time freight empties plus 104 grain empties for a total of 145 cars. The grain cars are going to Milford, IN.

5. NS 4277-4622-4783 lead hot 29C-17 (Charlotte-Chicago Calumet) with 23/6 vans at Panco.
NS 4277-4622-4783 lead hot 29C-17 (Charlotte-Chicago Calumet) with 23/6 vans at Panco.

6. The signal goes to approach diverging lunar on Main 2 to single track.
The signal goes to approach diverging lunar on Main 2 to single track.

7. Following 29C is 830-17 (Page VA Coronado Coal-Weller Yard to Wheelersburg barge terminal for USS Clairton coke plant). 4719-1223 have 105 loads in tow.
Following 29C is 830-17 (Page VA Coronado Coal-Weller Yard to Wheelersburg barge terminal for USS Clairton coke plant). 4719-1223 have 105 loads in tow.

8. Clear signal for an eastbound on Main 1 just east of Tunnel 4 near Crum.
Clear signal for an eastbound on Main 1 just east of Tunnel 4 near Crum.

9. A light at the west end of Tunnel #4.
A light at the west end of Tunnel #4.

10. NS 4351 bursts out of Tunnel #4 with J14-18, eastbound coke empties of Vansant.
NS 4351 bursts out of Tunnel #4 with J14-18, eastbound coke empties of Vansant.

11. J14 has a mix of leased hoppers for coke loading.
J14 has a mix of leased hoppers for coke loading.

12. No. 273-17 (Norfolk-Chicago Landers) surprised us at Kermit. Engine 8075 has 32/21 behind it. DPU 4879 tugs on 11/0 vans for a total of 43/21.
No. 273-17 (Norfolk-Chicago Landers) surprised us at Kermit. Engine 8075 has 32/21 behind it. DPU 4879 tugs on 11/0 vans for a total of 43/21.

13. J14-28 approaches the bridge over Pigeon Creek at Naugatuck.
J14-28 approaches the bridge over Pigeon Creek at Naugatuck.

14. Hot e/b 28N-18 (Chicago Calumet - Charlotte) has 20/1 for Charlotte and 8/1 for Greensboro for a total of 28/2. US 119 4-lane is to the far left. US 52 diverges here for Huntington. We shot this from the old US 52 bridge near Maher (named after a N&W president).
Hot e/b 28N-18 (Chicago Calumet - Charlotte) has 20/1 for Charlotte and 8/1 for Greensboro for a total of 28/2. US 119 4-lane is to the far left. US 52 diverges here for Huntington. We shot this from the old US 52 bridge near Maher (named after a N&W president).

15. It's getting late, and I want to get home! But the trains keep coming! No. 119-17 (Linwood-Bellevue) has 39/78. DPU 4569 is in there 9/46 from the rear. US 52 crossing near Maher.
It's getting late, and I want to get home! But the trains keep coming! No. 119-17 (Linwood-Bellevue) has 39/78. DPU 4569 is in there 9/46 from the rear. US 52 crossing near Maher.

16. A short time later we shoot 118-17 (Bellevue-Linwood) with 90/18 behind 3637-4464. The DPU is 9640.
A short time later we shoot 118-17 (Bellevue-Linwood) with 90/18 behind 3637-4464. The DPU is 9640.

17. We followed 118-17 into Williamson where crews will be exchanged.
We followed 118-17 into Williamson where crews will be exchanged.

18. 118-17 passes local J16, which has one load of ammonium nitrate for Nelson Brothers, an explosives dealer just west of town. J16 has grabbed 4351 off coke train J14.
118-17 passes local J16, which has one load of ammonium nitrate for Nelson Brothers, an explosives dealer just west of town. J16 has grabbed 4351 off coke train J14.

19. 4195-4548 on 276-17 (Chicago Landers - Norfolk) overtakes 118. No. 276-17 has 29/3 vans. The crew is part of the "long pool" between Portsmouth and Bluefield.
4195-4548 on 276-17 (Chicago Landers - Norfolk) overtakes 118. No. 276-17 has 29/3 vans. The crew is part of the "long pool" between Portsmouth and Bluefield.

20. 276-17 overtakes 118-17 on Main 1 as J16 waits to go west to Goodman.
276-17 overtakes 118-17 on Main 1 as J16 waits to go west to Goodman.

We considered 10 trains in a few hours to be a great day!

All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young