CSX Unit Coal Train, V242, headed south from Atkinson Yard on Tuesday, November 11with a pair of GE ES44AHs in distributed power mode.

Story and photos by Chuck Hinrichs

I got a late morning phone call from one of my contacts in Madisonville advising me that CSX was assembling a distributed power coal train in Atkinson’s south yard and that it would be southbound as soon as the train was assembled.  Power for the 90 car train was to be GE ES44AH 750 on the point and GE ES44AH 910 near mid train.  The train arrived at South Casky (John Rivers Road) at about 3:15 pm and, as advertised 750 was on the point and 910 was about 50 cars back in the consist.  I get a few shots in something less than perfect photo weather.  My Madisonville source indicated that this was the first of several distributed power test trains.