As a sliver of sunlight emerges between thick layers of clouds, eastbound empty coal train T209-24 (the second in a parade of eastbounds) knocks down the signal at RB Cabin just outside of Louisa, KY on the Big Sandy Subdivision. Aside from the addition of a satellite communication box which replaced the ATCS radio codeline several years ago, most locations on this 120-mile line remain relatively untouched from their days underneath the Chesapeake & Ohio banner.
Tier IV locomotives are the safest, cleanest, and most fuel efficient locomotives on the rails today. Unfortunately, most of them are ugly and are as quiet as an ACS-64.