The Sad State of the CSX EK Subdivision | Railroad Archaeology

The 117-mile-long EK Subdivision allowed the Louisville & Nashville Railroad to access rich coal fields in eastern Kentucky, where it competed with the Chesapeake & Ohio. CSX connected the two railroads at Deane in 1980, shifting most outgoing coal trains to Ashland. By the early 2000s, daily traffic on the EK Sub decreased to an average of 4.

Through the 2010s, the EK experienced further declines in coal traffic due to EPA restrictions on mining and burning and a shift to natural gas. By 2015, trains operated as needed to a single mine in Typo. Traffic patterns were adjusted the following year so trains serving the mine would run via Ashland.

The last scheduled coal train over the EK ran in October 2016. From then until 2020, the EK’s sidings were used for car storage. The sidings were removed just before a 2022 catastrophic flood rendered much of the infrastructure unusable.

This aerial footage shows the EK Subdivision as it appears in fall 2023.

Sidings removed (length in feet):

• Evelyn: 10,000
• Heidelberg: 6,900
• Beattyville: 10,000
• Athol: 8,600
• Jackson: 8,000
• Copeland: 10,000

Total: 53,500 feet (10.2 miles)

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[Dieselnut]

I cannot believe how this sub has gone down hill. This area of the country is constantly shit on and forgotten by all politicians of all parties. It’s extremely sad to see the decline since the coal industry vanished. Not for the product itself, but rather the many families that have suffered and lost members to drugs.
I’ve taken many trains to Ravenna from the CC sub. There was once a lady that was paid by CSX to be on call for us in the middle of the night to cook food at a restaurant, where no food available after 10pm usually. Getting called on a train to Ravenna was one of the better calls to get, unless you were needing to be back home for something.

[KibuFox]

The reason the rails are cut the way they are, is this entire line is 'rail banked'. Rail banking is a process where a railroad can stop needing to pay taxes on a rail line, without actually totally abandoning the line. As part of the agreements to rail bank a line, though, the railroad must cut the line in several places, to ensure that no trains can operate over it. It varies exactly how they're told to do this, but it works out that for every 10 miles or so, they have to cut the rails and move them out of alignment. This doesn't just stop trains, but also rail speeders and urban explorers.

In case you're curious, the reason a line typically gets 'rail banked' is because the railroad believes that there may be a future use for it, but they can't justify the operating costs at that moment. This can be because the line provides a good redundancy to another line, or a potential industry that is being developed, or some other potential use.

[YJRail]

That drone shot over the washout zone looks very much like the pictures of Saluda Grade. If the Kentucky Steam Heritage corporation is able to restore at least a fraction of this for excursion service it could be a blessing in disguise.

[WITSimulations]

As someone who lives in Hazard, its been tough seeing the decline of the EK. Thankfully to Typo, Yellow Creek and Leatherwood we still can see daily trains near the Hazard Area. I didnt know the damage eas to that extent on the old main. Its honestly devastating. Maybe one day we will hear the roar of 2716 along Elkatoah hill. Who knows. Great job on this video. Cant wait to see more.

[JasonBDeaton]

Thank you for posting this video. I grew up in Hazard(Wabaco) and my dad spent all 40 years of his railroad career as an enginner on the EK Sub. He hired on the L&N in 1960 in Hazard and retired in 2000 with CSX. He worked mine runs in Hazard loading trains and ran trains out of Ravenna to Hazard loading unit trains along the way. The Kragen Turn was his description of "Hell on Earth" lol...He wouldve loved to seen this video. Oh and Chavies is pronounced Chav-ease...lol..Thank you for the memories.

[cadenmcmexican]

I love this new style of video Drayton! Very laid back and informative, I feel like I’m just sitting on a pouch with you talking about trains lol. This video is awesome it’s one of my new favorites from you

[jeffashenfelter]

Incredible job on the video accompanied by the verbal history! THANKS for putting in the time and hard work to record this part of America's railroad system. So much of which has been abandoned throughout the country, over the past few years.
Let us hope that federal and state government will see the benefit of restoring our rail network, to reduce dependence on highway shipments that burn more fuel. Hopefully, CSX will pursue a renewed interest in restoring the EK and other lines.

[jacksonsdrones]

Great Production as Always Man! My grandparents are in Hyden, Ky which is about 30 minutes from Hazard. When ever we go to Hazard, we always pass a coal mine entering the town. They have railcars parked down by the tipple, but I don't know if it's still in use or not. Thank You for making this video because I've always wondered about this line. Wish I could have railfanned some of it before it was gone.

[maestromecanico]

Thank you very much for this look. The switcher at about 22:50 bears the markings of Electric Fuels Corporation. EFC was a subsidiary of Progress Rail which itself was a subsidiary of Florida Progress. Another subsidiary of Florida Progress was Florida Power Corporation. EFC owned the mines and the rapid discharge hopper cars that brought coal from the mines to the coal plants at Crystal River (Red Level), Florida (where I worked in the 90s). Nice to see what the other end of the trip looked like.

[RailFanMikeProductions]

Wonderful documentation on the unfortunate state of the EK Sub, seriously I thoroughly enjoyed this man. Watching this while aboard Amtrak 80 this afternoon was a treat. I really hope the Kentucky Steam eventually does get the line. So much history and lives were effected by the railroad being there, jobs and communities built on the backs of the Railroad. We can only hope it leads to that but for now at least you’re drawing attention to it. Crazy imagery post the big floods in the area as well. Take a bow sir!

[scotabot]

This document was so well put together, I can't wait to watch it again! You're very talented Drayton!! Thank You for all of your efforts!!

[Steve]

I'm always amazed at how quick mother nature can reclaim an area.

[barrymiller]

Hiya Drayton, that was a very informative video. One of the best I have seen in a long time. Lots of great information and history. You did good.

[FortWorthMobileMechanic]

Great video can't wait to see the new videos on abandoned lines. Mainly if you go in deep on the Saluda grade again.

[TheJRScratchy]

Great video, crazy to see how quickly things can fall from grace. The EK sub provided a lot of inspiration for my "Coal Country" route on Trainz simulator

[Thunderbolt__Siren]

6:09 wonder if that detector still works

[davenitsch]

Great video, nice work Drayton, I sure enjoyed it! So sad to see this in our Country, hopefully we can take some of it back now!

[O-PAC]

Great video Drayton. Seeing the condition of this line reminds me of Tennessee Pass and Saluda Grade. Two other phenomenal railroads that were silenced by economics. I’m hoping there will be resurgence in all of these lines but only time will tell.

[thomasmackowiak]

Thank you for this informative video on the current shape of the CSX EK Subdivision in eastern Kentucky, Drayton! I liked the way you worked in the videos from prior visits to this area and the CSX "training" VHS tape from the late 1990s. It is amazing to see the damage that ragging water can do to a railroad bed. I look forward to seeing additional videos that you produce on abandoned segments of railroads.

[skerbs]

Thank you for this video. By the time I moved to central KY, I missed most of this action. Thank you again!