Talen Energy's York Haven power plant has been stock piling coal again, requiring the reactivation of one of the PPL coal train sets. While not required for York Haven, the train has been assigned... (more)

A pair of NS SD60E's lead empty coal train 539 as it begins its descent of the west slope of the Alleghenies, passing under the PRR signal bridge outside Cresson. This unique bridge was built into... (more)

A pair of NS SD60E's lead empty coal train 539 as it begins its descent of the west slope of the Alleghenies. Two SD40E helpers are on the rear to assist the train as it approaches Cresson.

With a SD40E normally assigned to helper operations out of Altoona, PA, NS 539 grinds west through Horningford, PA with an empty PPL coal train in tow.

Coal Empties and Cans

Empty coal unit train NS 539 had been split into three cuts at some point earlier in the day to get it out of the way of higher priority moves. With those out o... (more)

NS 539 with 2 Ex CSX SD80MACs for power, passes under the MP 227 signalbridge in Fostoria!

The Penn Central heritage unit brings NS 539 through some golden evening light in Derry, PA.

A pair of SD60Es and an SD60I lead empty hoppers westbound over Roundhouse Road west of the Amtrak station in Lewistown on a beautiful Spring morning. The second SD60E, 6999, was the newest releas... (more)

"Empties Headed West"

NS 539 heads Westbound at Cassandra after waiting nearly two hours for an 11V that had engine troubles to clear the crossover from track 3 to track 2 at MO.

NS 539 (Empty coal train) Breaks the silence at Granville, Pa crossing the Juniata river. This train was rippin! 3 minute 45 second exposure ISO 400, F11.

A empty hopper train for the Mon Valley works it's way up the mountain as a mixed freight slowly rolls down hill.

Lots of action around the curve as a 539 flies up the hill, a heavy manifest is trying to keep control of it's speed down the hill

The last two Conrail SD60I's have been mated up for the last couple weeks and make a afternoon appearance on the Pittsburgh Line with a empty PPLX coal drag for the Mon Valley mines.

PPL train 539 is tied down at Wing waiting for a crew as a van train sneaks around the side after working Pitcairn and is ready to head out on the main towards Conway.