"Brand New" CSX SD23T4s Take On The Clinchfield Route

CSX ET23DCMs Tackle The Clinchfield Route

We would rise early while eagerly awaiting cell service to check the location of CSX work extra W036-17. This particular train would have two sd23T4s leading the way, these funky locomotives are an sd40-2 carbody, with a "GEVO-6 Marine" engine installed. These are basically a 2,300 horsespower version of GE's "Gevo" locomotives. (These engines are primarily used in tugboats, hinting the "Marine" name.) They were rebuilt into this configuration at "Wabtec's" Erie, PA facility over this passed summer.

We found that the train was in the hole at Kermit, waiting for northbound M692 to clear a space at the crowded Kingsport Yard. After meeting 92 and departing Kermit, they would head into Kingsport Yard to grab a fresh crew for the journey east over the Ex Clinchfield "Blue Ridge Subdivision".

When they departed the yard around 1245, us foamers would jump to the Boones Creek Trestle to get our "spy-birds" in the air for a shot. We would then head east with the train, stopping at various locations along the scenic, mountainous Clinchfield route. Enjoy the photos!