Chasing the 2024 CSX Kentucky Derby Train

[@luiscaceressr.6610]

Great video. I love seeing my old car Moonlight Dome now owned by CSX and named for late CEO James M. (Jim) Foote.

[@johnuhelski8613]

NS did not go to the K.D. , they are busy painting their Heritage Units PROPERLY. Unlike csx which cannot seem to figure that out yet !! Great vid BTW !!

[@davestrains6816]

Outstanding video and thanks for sharing. Dave

[@TwoRailfans]

Great camera angle into the yard. We enjoyed your video. -John and David

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@twiggs24]

CSX 1. That must be so cool to hear.

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

Another great video! 👍

[@ChadQuick270W]

Great catch at the south switch at West Frankfort siding coming off that bridge. A shame cars can’t use the bridge any more. They removed the ABS on this line on 1989-1990. Excellent coverage throughout 😎

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. This is always a very fun day. I wish it still had the ABS. I always enjoy shooting signals.

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

super great video sir 👌👌👌👌😍😍

[@ebf82234]

Hi, NYK...in response to your (concluding) commentary re: the significance of the Kentucky Derby versus the Masters Tournament in regards to railroad participation, I direct your attention to an outstanding feature in the May 1968 edition of Trains Magazine entitled "Rails and a Race Horse"..."back in the day", Louisville -- on "race day" (and preceding it) -- was "mecca" for every "brand' of "private varnish" and the very best many railroads could assemble for this annual event of National importance. Your answer is within those timeless pages, my friend...a "must read"... 👍👍

[@nkyrailfan]

I would have loved to have seen the Louisville yards on race day. That would be a train lovers paradise as all those trains arrived and departed.

[@tunneltrain96]

I was there at the yard exit and in Midway! You caught some really good shots! I hope to have my footage uploaded soon, even if it is very little.

[@nkyrailfan]

Let me know when you upload it. I'd love to check it out. I'll add the link to it in the description.

[@CincinnatiWatchCompany]

A gorgeous train!

[@brandonreeves5979]

Great footage! Love the narration 👍🏻💯

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks, Brandon. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@brandonreeves5979]

@@nkyrailfan of course. You are welcome.

[@hawghead4596]

You might have covered it in another video but why was the VIP train going so slow? I know when NS was headquartered in Norfolk and the “Big Wheels” wanted some New Orleans, La cuisine They would run a special to New Orleans at AMTRAK speed (79 mph), on our division.

[@nkyrailfan]

The trackage they took from Lexington to Louisville is maintained by RJ Corman and not up to top passenger speeds. I believe 50 mph is the max speed allowed on certain parts of it. Other areas dip as low as 10 mph (downtown Frankfort). If it ran at the 79 mph, we'd all only be able to catch it once and then be pulled over getting a ticket for trying to catch it again.

[@hawghead4596]

Okay, thanks. I thought it had something to do with either the track conditions or they were running in “dark territory”.

[@richmondrailfan8444]

0:50 what is a flared SD70M doing in the top left corner in 2024??? 😮

[@nkyrailfan]

I'm not sure. I was curious when I spotted that as well.

[@TheBigdog1207]

I’m guessing CSX has 3 separate office car special trains across the system that they combine for this event?

[@nkyrailfan]

Unfortunately, I am not too familiar. I am hoping someone else will comment and we can both know.

[@kens.3729]

One of the Closest Finishes in the 150th Kentucky Derby. Green # 3 🤔 had the Lead next to Rail and held off two (2) Fast 🐎🐎Approaching Competitors. WOW👍

[@Indy125]

Love these drone videos dude! Inspiring me to get one!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you. The drone is a lot of fun to fly and I think the video quality is incredible.

[@jeffreykupetz4930]

I think it looks great! I figured the red lights would be only on if this were a last unit facing towards the rear? Isnt red always towards the rear? Great catch!!! Happy hunting

[@nkyrailfan]

I'm not exactly sure what the red lights are there for. You are correct that the end of train device has a flashing red light. I'm not sure about what the colors mean though.

[@jeffreykupetz4930]

Ok cool keep up the cool Drone work! Maybe it means passengers on board? Idk

[@lnproductions3227]

Awesome shots there! That was neat seeing myself in the shot at Manchester Street in Lexington. Personally I believe the reason Norfolk Southern no longer runs any Special/Derby Trains is due to management cutting corners as much as possible with money. That's just a guess not a concrete answer on that so take it as you will.....

[@stevenconnolly7907]

Think it's bad now. Watch what happens if Ancora wins it's proxy and takes over the railroad. 🦹

[@nkyrailfan]

I agree. I'm sure it's about cutting as much costs as possible.

[@dave6695]

I LOVE the B&O look. It is one beautiful train. Red class lights being displayed are wrong as, since this train is an extra, it should be displaying white class lights.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks for the information. I've searched a little but couldn't find any useful information on the red lights. Any chance you could point me in the direction of more information on them or share more about them and their purpose? Thanks in advance.

[@KSR_YT06]

The marker lights cannot change colors other than red.

[@eastkentuckyrailfan]

That would be only partially true. For class lights you are correct. However, every train is now technically an "extra" and operates on signal indication and dispatcher directions. These are not "class" lights on CSX 1, 2 and 3 but "marker" lights for higher visibility on passenger trains. Conrail (for example) ordered all their locomotives with red only "marker" lights.

[@Greatdome99]

The class lights appear to be 'warm white' Red lights: rear of train White lights: extra movement Green lights: section following

[@nathanalley-il2co]

That white truck and trailer indeed ruined my shots 😂

[@nkyrailfan]

Oh no! I had hoped the guy on the truck was able to get something worthwhile as it exited the bridge, but knew the little boy and his dad probably had their shots completely ruined. I guess that just means you have to try again next year.

[@DakotaDavis-zo3fw]

Is great and old school

[@kensbackshop6399]

I do beleive the last car is what they call a theater car becaus it is flat and the seats go up on each side not flat

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks for the info. I've heard it called the theater car before, but didn't know the seats were set up that way That's pretty cool.

[@mmurphy2317]

It is called riser seating....much like the sloped Floorplan in theaters/opera houses....just sayin'....

[@mononproductions6226]

Awesome video!

[@paulwinslow2974]

Are any of those from the old pan am ocs

[@nkyrailfan]

Unfortunately, I do not know. Hopefully, someone who does will answer and we'll both know.

[@ronnymatthews4133]

Ronnie m " Trainiac/Maniac,retired RR ,railroad Worker!?Question¿ is this B,andO RRrailRoad as in the iconic " MONOPOLY board Game??

[@nkyrailfan]

It is the same B & O from the Monopoly board game.

[@UNITEDSTATESRAILFANNING]

Will this go though cordele GA?

[@nkyrailfan]

I am not sure. I believe it heads south from Louisville toward Nashville and then makes its way to Waycross. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the track layout in Georgia.

[@davidballoid2118]

I think it would be great if Amtrak would follow that same idea to commemorate all the fallen flags passenger paint schemes pre-Amtrak with painted coaches to match, then just add Amtrak Logos in a metallic finish.

[@nkyrailfan]

I would love that too! I brought up the idea as well and someone mentioned that unlike the big RR companies which merged or acquired the railroads throughout the years, Amtrak only took over their routes and would not have the same ownership of their logos and would need permission from CSX and NS and UP and BNSF to license the paint scheme. I wish Amtrak would try because I think that would be so cool to see predecessor RR schemes on the rails.

[@TheMetGuy]

This is CSX P001

[@timdaugherty5921]

yay!!

[@fakecumberland]

Did you know that the road bridge in Frankfort was the original L&N bridge?

[@nkyrailfan]

I did not. Thanks for sharing, Curtis. That's pretty cool. Although, looking at it, I'm surprised it was able to hold much weight.

[@earlschmitt884]

The locomotives and cars look great. Better if those red lights were alternating back and forth. But if the CSX have this kind of money to go showboating around, surely they should have the money to upgrade the safety equipment on the rails to keep their trains on the tracks.

[@U_ever]

Don't you mean the CSX Corporate Executive Jet ? ? ?

[@hawghead4596]

More Norfolk Southern VIP’s play golf than ride horses. That could be the reason.

[@nkyrailfan]

That's very true. It's a lot closer to pick up the VIPs in Atlanta and run them east than it would be to take them north and then west. I wonder how they did it when they were headquartered in Norfolk. Meaning, did the VIPs fly into Atlanta and get picked up for the derby or would they take the OCS down. As for Louisville, I wonder if they would fly into Cincinnati and then ride down.

[@keithmoore5306]

pulls like this really should be STEAM POWERED!! i didn't think RJ Corman was that big the only time i see any of their stock is up around Cleveland! i thought they were a local shortline from that!

[@nkyrailfan]

It's funny, I felt the same way. I had no idea how wide and far the RJ Corman network runs.

[@Indy125]

So this train carries CSX corporate wigs to the Kentucky Derby?

[@EricArmstrong-vo6dp]

Yes

[@nkyrailfan]

@Indy25 from what I understand it also carries VIP customers. It used to carry the Kentucky Governor, but previous Governor Matt Bevin ended the tradition during his administration. Bevin said it could give a look of impropriety for the Governor to ride on a train because it could be considered a valuable gift and could raise questions about any favorable treatment of CSX.

[@Greatdome99]

I suspect also some major customers as well

[@rogermccraney8119]

I hope csx don’t sell off their office car train like the dumb ass move Nazi southern did!😡