CSX Coal Trains of Eastern Kentucky

Purchase Pentrex "Eastern Kentucky Coal" here: https://railfandepot.com/product/east... The EK Subdivision of CSX Transportation is nearly 120 miles long, connecting Winchester and Hazard, Kentucky. Sections were built in the early 1890s by fallen flags, with the Louisville & Nashville Railroad completing the route between Jackson and Hazard in 1912. The EK gave the “Old Reliable” access to the rich coal fields of eastern Kentucky, where it competed head-on with the Chesapeake & Ohio. In 1916, a newer, straighter, and more forgiving alignment was completed between Irvine and Winchester, replacing the Riney-B out of Versailles, which featured challenging grades up to 1.7%. Although the ruling grade on the new line was reduced to just .4%, two massive trestles had to be built, which were among the longest and highest in the entire L&N system. This bridge over Howard Creek is 2,100 feet long and 225 feet high. Today, there are three principal yards located on the Eastern Kentucky Subdivision. At the northwest terminus is the Y-shaped Patio Yard, where the EK and CC Subs connect. The CC is part of the original L&N mainline between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Atlanta, Georgia. EK crews are based here. 29 miles from Patio are the communities of Irvine and Ravenna, the location of a large yard that was once the epicenter of L&N and CSX EK Sub operations for over 100 years. This aerial footage was recorded in March of 2016, showing the yard empty. Due to a steady decline in coal traffic, CSX closed the car shop and fuel facility in 2000. Three years later, 16 tracks were removed from Ravenna Yard, leaving only 4. In 2016, coal trains were operating over the EK as needed. Much of the line was mothballed in October of that year – with trains using former C&O trackage to access the many mines south of Hazard. Hazard Yard is at the southeastern end of the EK. Trains enter the yard from the north by going through a curved tunnel between Combs and Hazard. The only equipment you’re guaranteed to see at Hazard are stored cabooses – with some still dressed in Chessie System colors. These iconic railcars are primarily used as shoving platforms for mine runs that back long distances into coal loadouts. Completed in 1949, L&N extended its Rockhouse Creek Branch an additional 17 miles from Blackey to Deane, where a large coal mine was opened, also served by the C&O. The two railroad companies never interchanged, with both lines dead-ending there. Over three subsequent decades, the EK saw an average of 6 loaded and 6 empty trains between Deane and Patio. Finally, in 1980, the C&O and L&N were joined by CSX Corporation, the successor of both companies. A connection track was installed at Deane, and as a result, roughly half of the EK’s coal traffic was routed over the C&O to Ashland instead. By the early 2000s, daily coal traffic over the EK was reduced to an average of 4. Contribute via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/DelayInBlockMedia Contribute via Patreon:   / delayinblockmedia   Start investing in railroads and get a free stock: https://Bit.ly/DelayInBlockInvesting Subscribers: help support us by crowdfunding our videos through Patreon or PayPal. With your support, we can continue to produce high-quality railroad media for you to enjoy. Even just $1 per month is a huge help. Contributing patrons receive exclusive content and early access to Delay In Block® videos. Thanks for watching! Please comment, rate, and subscribe! Copyright 2025 Delay In Block Productions. Illegal reproduction of this video and its content is strictly prohibited. Legal action will occur if it is reproduced or published without express written permission from Delay In Block Productions. "Delay In Block" is a Registered Trademark of Delay In Block Productions