Is There Anything Happening at Norfolk Southern's Sevier Yard? Plus, Several Stops Along the CNO&TP

This is a trip south from Cincinnati that ends up just east of Knoxville, Tennessee.
We follow along the NS main line through Kentucky and finish up at the John Sevier Yard.
We'll hit the usual spots, add some history and then take a look around the yard.
I hope you enjoy.
Let me know what you think and where else I should check out.
Have a great day!

[@nkyrailfan]

Timestamps of the trains and stops: First train at Ludlow 1:00 A little Ludlow history 4:20 Train at Sadieville 6:00 Train at High Bridge 9:00 Burnside begins at 11:38 NS Sevier Yard begins at 18:00

[@LeeDfined]

I used to drive the Greyhound from Cincinnati to Knoxville and knew that this line somewhat paralled my route and was curious what the actual landscape looked like away from the Interstate. This spurs my nostalgia.

[@supercuda1950]

Also, the drone not only catches unique views but also views not available from the ground. Keep up the good work. Maybe I'll put you on my Christmas List!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks Rupert, I always appreciate your comments. I hope you have a great day!

[@supercuda1950]

It's really relaxing watching your videos. Part may be the relaxed pace of the trains and part due to the professionalism of your videos. This is a good way to relax and get away from the depressing events of the day. If the RR's knew this, they would probably charge to watch them.

[@eottoe2001]

Don't know if they still have it but I did a boat ride beneath High Bridge as a teenager. It was really beautiful. It would be a nice place to photograph the trains.

[@nkyrailfan]

That would be a pretty great boat ride! I don't know if it still exists though. The state got rid of the working locks along most of Kentucky River. So, larger boats can't move up and downriver like they used to be able to.

[@fakecumberland]

Wish we could see drone footage of the old Burnside bridge and tunnels, pre-1951, as well as the southbound climb to Greenwood, with its tunnels and bridges, bypassed for good in 1963.

[@nkyrailfan]

While researching this I saw some pictures of the old bridge. It looked very impressive. I would certainly have loved the opportunity to film those previous structures and tunnels.

[@jimmarcum7362]

Born in the early 50's in Knoxville, and my Grandparents living in Mascot, I passed by that yard a lot. I watched Southern transition from F unit diesels to GP's. I also watched Southern gather up all the cabooses in one spot and watched them later disappear. Later in life I would pass by the yard while going to the KPD training center usually at least once a month. The training center and driving track can bee seen in the video as it was adjacent to the tower. That yard stayed busy for a long time.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks for sharing Jim. That had to be pretty neat to see the transition from F units to the GPs and SDs. Sadly, these yards are far and few between anymore. Many of them are being torn up and redeveloped.

[@jimmarcum7362]

@@nkyrailfan Kind of funny, I got tired of seeing massive lashups of A&B F units from my Grandparent's front porch as they flew by at Mascot. The F units were always covered in a black oily film. Never knew they had gold striping till later in life. The trains going east bound were traveling fast as they were exiting the Sevier yard. I enjoyed seeing the new Gps and SDs units as they were different and brand new and very shiny . But now I really miss seeing those long lines of dirty A&B F units. Norfolk Southern is still using the yard to switch cars and route some trains as I listen to train traffic on my scanner. They are always having problems on where to store the lines of freight cars as now their storage capacity is limited. After seeing your video footage, I understand why they are running into storage problems. Great drone video, thanks for posting it!

[@phuturephunk]

Your videos are fantastic. Thank you so much for making them.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much. I really do appreciate it.

[@HillbillyNitroUSA]

I live in Knoxville, next time you are in the area you should checkout the old Southern Railway building and now Norfolk Southern yard in the city of Knoxville. It’s not a huge yard, but very nice scenery with the old buildings. NS now runs the yard remotely.

[@jordialfonsoaragones4978]

Nice video, beautiful, thanks

[@davidostrander3295]

Awesome drone footage!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks David, I do appreciate it.

[@ConductorDon]

I worked as a conductor for NS down in Chattanooga from Nov of 21 until July of 22. Not the job I grew up hearing about from my uncle who did 30 years at CSX, sadly, thanks to shareholders and PSR. I applied to Knox first, but then to Chatt as well. Chatt ended up interviewing me and offering me a job before Knox even decided whether or not they would interview me. I had assumed since trains run down to Chatt from Knox, I'd still be able to be close by to my parents sometimes since I thought I would be taking trains up there some and would just take my rest at home with them. Unfortunately, I discovered after hiring out that Chatt crews only go to Danville, Ky and nowhere else. This coupled with the fact that the cost of living in Chatt is stupid high, I couldn't make it work long term and had to quit. They had job postings for Knox while I was working in Chatt and asked several times to transfer, but they just kept stringing me along, so I finally had enough. From what I heard while at NS, they often threaten to do away with Knox altogether and have Chatt take over everything. Basically, that would mean Chatt crews would be going all the way to Bristol and the 2 or so trains left that go to Asheville, cutting out the Knoxville crews altogether. Guys even told me I shouldn't even ask to go to Knoxville because even if they let me, I'd probably get laid off, possibly permanently within months. I'm just not willing to have to move away from the Knox area while my senior parents are still alive and might need my help. So, I guess until NS either needs guys in Knox again or CSX hires down in Etowah again, I won't be railroading for awhile. That train ride is the 3 rivers rambler BTW. It doesn't run that often, but every once in a while, they will fire up Southern #154, a 2-8-0. Also, the reason why those rails were "cut" is because that was where the retarders were that slow the cars down as they're rolling into the bowl. They probably took them out and sent them to Chatt for spares. Debutts yard is bustling, tons of activity down there.

[@timdaugherty5921]

Very good stuff!!

[@StonewallTitlow]

I paid a visit to this yard in 2020. Caught a monster 200 car NS 126 working the yard and then caught him again east of town. Also may have seen NS 202 while there, dunno.

[@jackgreen412]

Quality presentation! I live about a mile from the NS Crescent Corridor. (Knoxville through Bristol line) really enjoy hearing the trains around the clock. The summit of a grade is near here as well as a long passing siding, so I can usually tell what's going on by engine noise or horns.

[@tonychudzinski3107]

love your videos!!

[@HenrikSweden1]

your drone video is super ! must say that train watching is so much funnier that way ! have a nice sunday !

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, I really do appreciate it.

[@charleswoods9938]

Can you make a complete video of CSXs Osborn yard the first video was great but I like to see a complete layout of that Modern yard it may not be the biggest but I think it's the best on the CSX system

[@nkyrailfan]

I would love to Charles. Unfortunately, I cannot get any closer or higher with my drone to show the yard because of the airport. I will try to make a return trip and show off more of the yard on top of the operations.

[@tonychudzinski3107]

when you come to Bellevue yard I would love to accompany you. I live in Fremont which is 15 minutes from Bellevue.

[@nkyrailfan]

I'd be fine with that Tony. I'm hoping to make it up there sometime in the next month or so. I'll comment back here when I do and hopefully we can get together. Have a great day.

[@tonychudzinski3107]

@@nkyrailfan That would be great! Look forward to hearing from you.

[@nkyrailfan]

Sounds good. I'll be in touch.

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

That's for the Train history.

[@nkyrailfan]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

@@nkyrailfan Thanks for having me

[@delawarecountyrailfan2204]

Awesome! Maybe try Pittsburgh area? They have good stuff

[@nkyrailfan]

I've wanted to head there. I always worry about not finding any good spots or not having any trains come by while I'm at a place.

[@delawarecountyrailfan2204]

@@nkyrailfan Oh, trust me. Pittsburgh has TONS of trains. You could do a day in the Pittsburgh area at spots like Homestead, Station Square or west to Conway, and then head to the Horseshoe curve the next.

[@caryhawes3041]

Ive Visited HighBridge many times in the 1980's An afternoon trip from University of Kentucky Great Spot

[@klugermann5806]

I really miss the hump yard at John Sevier. 😪

[@nkyrailfan]

I wish I could've stopped by when it was still there and in action.

[@ajsouthern1830]

Okay so, the couple trains that originate out of sevier yardWas just recently added. All it is is a inbound train just changing symbols essentially. Where I’m from and mainly watch the Bristol/Knoxville trains that is about a hour and 30 minutes or so away.

[@supercuda1950]

NKY Fan is from Northern KY so figure how far he must go to bring these great videos. You won't find any better or more professional. If 1 1/2 is too far, don't go. Some like jawtooth make a vacation out of it and then post it.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you for the info. I do appreciate it.

[@ajsouthern1830]

@@nkyrailfan No problem! If you are ever down NS’s A-Line between Bristol and Knoxville, be sure to stop by and see us at the Bulls Gap Railroad Museum!

[@Dclagg1]

What kind of drone do you use?

[@nkyrailfan]

Hi Dane, I use a DJI Mavic 2 Pro. It's old for a drone, but still does a great job in my opinion.

[@Dclagg1]

@@nkyrailfan yes great quality!

[@LeeDfined]

What was that at 13:13...a few switching tracks?

[@nkyrailfan]

I believe they're used for storage tracks for crew changes. With as busy as the line is, I'm sure NS needs all the room it can get while crews swap out. There was one train waiting in one of the tracks when I got there. I would say the smaller tracks could be used to set out bad cars or engines having trouble.

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

Used to be way more Double trackage or more. Tore them out. Now. Bottlenecks all over the Country. They waste money. Poor Future planning.

[@nkyrailfan]

You do wonder why they don't add back the second track on parts where it already existed and was torn out. They need all the track they can get.