Step onto the captivating world of Hotrail Productions, where the magic of lights, camera, and trains combines to create an unforgettable experience. I travel all over the country photographing railroad history in the making. My footage dates back to 1995. Whether it's a thrilling action sequence or a heartwarming romantic scene, the railway has long been a favorite setting for filmmakers and TV producers.
CSX C44-9W AT MONON, IN
CSX 9012
GW SD18M's
Reynolds, IN 8/11/18
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
NS SD70M-2 and C40 9-wWAt Leipsic Tower 7/16/18
A westbound Norfolk Southern mixed freight rumbles across the CSX (Ex-B&O)diamonds at Leipsic Junction. This is the former Nickle Plate mainline from Chicago to Buffalo, now known as the Fostoria District. Power is an EMD SD70M-2 and a GE C40-9W.
Tour Of Abandoned NKP CLoverleaf Line in Ohio and Indiana 1998
This is a tour of the recently removed N&W "Cloverleaf Line." This operation was previously operated by shortline Indiana Hi-Rail, and they had not run a train in a few years. They had obtained the line from N&W through a "Thoroughbred Lease" in 1989. A 3-mile segment from Delphos to Landeck, Ohio remains in place, but the remaining track from Delphos to Douglas, OH, and Landeck, OH to Craigville, Indiana was removed. Approximate mileage of removed track was about 46 miles. Our first scene is looking east at Ohio City, Ohio at the former crossing with the EL mainline, which became the Spencerville & Elgin shortline. At one time, the Cincinnati Northern also crossed here, forming a triangle of diamonds around a station. Note that the rails are gone, but the diamond remains in place! We then see a rural farm crossing with a stack of rail south of the ROW. Then, at :30, we are in Decatur, Indiana, where the PRR (ex-GR&I) line once crossed the EL and the Cloverleaf. A short 1-mile segment remains of the EL to a serve Dolco Packaging, which is accessed used a segment of the GR&I. The Cloverleaf paralleled the EL through town but did not cross it. Note that the Cloverleaf rails have been removed, except at the grade crossing. At Peterson, IN, the tracks passed a grain elevator. There is a huge stack of salvaged rail right lying next to it. Curryville, Indiana is where the Cloverleaf literally ran through the middle of the intersection of two farm roads. It appeared we caught up with the removal gang, as there was a Caterpillar left on site. Note the stack of rail in the area. Craigville, Indiana is the cut-off point for the track removal, and it is west of here that the line was kept for a new shortline-the Wabash Central. The facility in Craigville is the Helena company. Bluffton, is where they interchange with the NS' New Castle District. Note the weed-grown yard along with the Alco C425 and ex-BN GP20. Both of these units came from successor Indiana Hi-Rail. The Wabash & Ohio (WOHO) reporting marks, were used in later years after they went bankrupt.
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Freight Train Carrying Piece of Railroad Track
At Waterloo, Indiana, a westbound NS freight with a mix of NS and BNSF power, sails past the Amtrak station. Note the piece of track on the flatcar behind the consist!
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Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Monday, July 29, 2024
Walkerton Tower
KN Tower is located in Walkerton, Indiana along U.S. 6, 20 miles southwest of South Bend.
It is where CSX's (Ex-B&O) Garrett Sub crosses the Elkhart & Western's, (ex-NKP), IMC line. Until 1983, Conrail's, (Ex-NYC), "Kankakee Belt Line" also crossed both routes. It is unclear when KN tower was removed from service, but CSX was still stationing crews inside it as late as 1998.
This video walk-through was filmed in August, 1998. Note the ice machine still in use at the front door. Only the CSX and IMC now cross.
This is how the tower looked in July, 2012.
Now it sits neglected and weed-grown, with trees beginning to grown along the foundation. Every time this photographer visits this location, there appear to be a few bricks missing.This video was taken on September 6, 2013.
This is how KN Tower looked in June, 2014.
On June 5, 2019, an eastbound CN tank train blasts past the tower!
This was August 30, 2022. Note how high the tree is!
This is May 23, 2023.
September 23, 2023
It is obvious that KN Tower was built to last, but the elements have taken their toll over the years. Railroad signal towers in general are a thing of the past. Every time I visit this location, more bricks are missing or more glass is missing from the windows. Like any of piece of railroad history, KN Tower is on borrowed time. Snap your photos and video while you can!
NS EEl River Bridge, IN
8/12/18
TRACKSIDE ESSENTIALS!
Phone Stand with Bluetooth Speaker BT5.3
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This view looks north on the Chesapeake & Ohio branch line with the GTW diamonds in the foreground, and the B&O diamonds in the back...
Nate and Me

LOGANSPORT AND EEL RIVER PROPERTY
8/12/18