Making it's way over Hickory Creek, the daily Q539 rumbles south toward Duff Mountain. With four clunker motors, it won't need help over the grade this day.

Sporting a new symbol for the KD, U335 runs out of Hickory Creek tunnel and towards Duff Mountain. No help will be needed today.

Deep in the Hickory Creek Gorge between Morley and Chaska on the CSX KD Sub.

Three SD40-2s bring a southbound loaded coal train through Morley, TN on the KD Subdivision.

The short lived Detroit-Atlanta roadrailer rolls southbound through Morley with F7 #116 leading.

With a unit train of black diamonds behind, N255 exits Morley Tunnel and begins the climb to Oaks.

Getting a fill-up in the old Morley Yard, the helper engine from Chaska is almost ready to depart. Morley tunnel is visible in the background to the north.

Being called a beast by crew and trains on each siding, 132 car long Q539 rumbles south and gains speed for Duff Mountain. It will still need the helper crew, normally used for coal only.

A monstrosity of a machine, a Fairmont Tamper Ballast Cleaner idles away in the small Morley yard. Not sure of the age but possibly a leftover from a CSX predecessor.

Threading the needle at Morley Tunnel, mty coal hoppers owned by Mitsui Rail Capital head north for more coal out of eastern Kentucky.

CSXT 7740 leads a northbound by the Church at Morley,TN

With the KD main to the bottom left, a KopperGlo coal train with power unusual for the Jellico Branch sits tied down on the south leg of the wye. The crew has just left by taxi and left the motor ... (more)

Awaiting the thunder...

Finding that one spot of sunlight, coal drag N220 picks up speed for what lies ahead, Duff Mountain.

Dwarfed by a huge bluff of Cumberland Plateau sandstone, grain train G796 blasts out of Hickory Creek #2 tunnel. The crew has already called for the helper as it nears Duff Mountain.