The Sad State of the CSX EK Subdivision | Railroad Archaeology

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

If the government is so concerned about people burning fossil fuels in their motors then why don’t they promote railroads over trucking? It’s a known fact shipping by train is more efficient. Instead of building charging stations they should be building railroads.

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.

Now, I live in Virginia, Kentucky is within throwing distance from my home. Seeing all the flooding and the aftermath broke my heart, because I love Kentucky. Seeing the EK sub in such a state of disrepair is devastating. Sending love from Big Stone Gap VA to my Kentucky neighbors ❤️

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

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

Please do the CSX IL and Indiana Subs next. Very similar situation but with less storm damage to the line.

Drayton all the years I have been a subscriber to your channel you have up your game awesome job on this and great work on your research

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!!

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.

31:00 really shows how fast things can deteriorate with lack of maintenance, you'd think it's been unused for decades with that amount of decay

Your comment about Jacksonville having no idea what type of shape it’s in most likely is true. They had no idea the hump in Birmingham had been flattened at their own order. A call was received one day to start the hump back up in late 2017, and it was met with laughter and “what hump? there is no hump anymore.”

Thank you for making this excellent documentary of the EK subdivision. Very well done!

Such a sad line back in the 2010s when I visited. It'll have some cool stuff running on it and beautiful scenery, though.