CSX - misc. Big Sandy SD - Draffin-Paintsville
Rail Fan Adventure --
A new highway bridge connects Pond Creek with US 460 at Draffin. It offers new opportunities as far as railfan photography. I was spurred into action last fall when a contractor started installing “ghetto” wire.
1. CSX 157-62 on northbound N339-02 with 110 TILX empties. 11-3-2013.
![CSX 157-62 on northbound N339-02 with 110 TILX empties. 11-3-2013.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/1-Draffin-456x644.jpg)
2. N339 looks at a green automatic block signal at Draffin.
![N339 looks at a green automatic block signal at Draffin.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/2-Draffin-456x644.jpg)
3. CSX 167-4538 on N/B pusher F810-10 returning to Shelby after shoving a train to Dante. 11-10-2013.
![CSX 167-4538 on N/B pusher F810-10 returning to Shelby after shoving a train to Dante. 11-10-2013.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/3-Draffin-644x432.jpg)
4. S/b F892-16 with 603-262 and 100 empty tubs for mine at McClure, Va. This is a Dante crew that was taxied to Shelby. 11-16-2013.
![S/b F892-16 with 603-262 and 100 empty tubs for mine at McClure, Va. This is a Dante crew that was taxied to Shelby. 11-16-2013.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/4-Draffin-445x644.jpg)
5. S/b F892-16 with 603-262 and 100 empty tubs for mine at McClure, Va. This is a Dante crew that was taxied to Shelby. 11-16-2013. View 2.
![S/b F892-16 with 603-262 and 100 empty tubs for mine at McClure, Va. This is a Dante crew that was taxied to Shelby. 11-16-2013. View 2.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/5-Draffin-445x644.jpg)
6. CSX 817 on N/B empty grain train G953-15. 11-16-2013.
![CSX 817 on N/B empty grain train G953-15. 11-16-2013.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/6-Draffin-445x644.jpg)
7. CSX 237-250 on S/B coal train U422-14 with system tubs. 11-16-2013.
![CSX 237-250 on S/B coal train U422-14 with system tubs. 11-16-2013.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/7-Draffin-644x432.jpg)
8. Pusher 893-288 on S/B U422-14. 11-16-2013.
![Pusher 893-288 on S/B U422-14. 11-16-2013.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/8-Draffin-445x644.jpg)
9. CSX 213-983 on E/B empty train N824-27 exiting Buffalo Tunnel near Thealka, Ky. Train consists of KCLX, HEQX, MBKX, CEFX and SPSX equipment, but the DEEX cars indicate it is actually a Detroit Edison train. This is the only remaining tunnel on the Big Sandy main line. 11-30-2013.
![CSX 213-983 on E/B empty train N824-27 exiting Buffalo Tunnel near Thealka, Ky. Train consists of KCLX, HEQX, MBKX, CEFX and SPSX equipment, but the DEEX cars indicate it is actually a Detroit Edison train. This is the only remaining tunnel on the Big Sandy main line. 11-30-2013.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/9-Draffin-445x644.jpg)
10. CSX 3043-844 are parked on the east leg of the wye at the former Paintsville depot. 1-11-2014.
![CSX 3043-844 are parked on the east leg of the wye at the former Paintsville depot. 1-11-2014.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/10-Draffin-644x386.jpg)
11. CSX 3043-844 are parked on the east leg of the wye at the former Paintsville depot. 1-11-2014. View 2.
![CSX 3043-844 are parked on the east leg of the wye at the former Paintsville depot. 1-11-2014. View 2.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/11-Draffin-644x386.jpg)
12. The track in the foreground was formerly (before 1983) the main line. Now the main line skirts the east side of the yard, and this is called the “ID” track.
![The track in the foreground was formerly (before 1983) the main line. Now the main line skirts the east side of the yard, and this is called the “ID” track.](../images/csxbigsandymiscdraffinpaintsville/12-Draffin-644x386.jpg)
Train images used by permission of Everett N Young
last update - 29 May 2014