Eastern Railroad Discussion > Monon on the Haverty

April 28th, 2026

CSX's Monon Heritage Unit has been making its rounds off of home rails recently between Atlanta, GA and Wylie, TX. Last night I saw it was leading CPKC train #164 (SMX Service) out of Wylie bound for the CSX Interchange in Myrtlewood, AL. 

I had hoped to shoot the train earlier, but work at High Oak yard in Jackson, MS delayed the trains progress. I hung around and braved some severe weather in downtown Meridian, MS and caught the train at last light during a very brief break between storms.

Image 1: 1897 negotiates the now not so tight curves inside the Magnolia Steel complex in downtown Meridian as it leaves the Meridian Speedway and enters the CPKC Haverty Sub.
Image 2: Pan shot of the train just past the yard board on the Haverty Sub east of Meridian.

Enjoy!

-Dylan

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IOTD nominee!

mike woodruff
north platte ne

Dylan,
Nice catch of a CSX half heritage. Great photo work.
What does, "now not so tight curves inside the Magnolia Steel complex in downtown Meridian" imply? That is very cryptic to someone from not near there.
Thanks in advance. A curious Gonut.
Gonut
 

The curves used to be very tight through here, but since CPKC acquired the property, they straightened them out a bit which helped.

Still tight, but not as bad.

Posted from iPhone

Well executed pan shot.

tuxedorailfan
Thanks for the reply. I couldn't see any differences on historic rail photos and current aerial views.
gonut

Understood. I’ve got some pictures somewhere showing the differences.

They also lowered the tracks quite a bit on the approach from the yard under 22nd avenue and 18th avenue to accommodate double stacks. While doing this is when they adjusted the curves.

Posted from iPhone