Phoenix Rail - Dawn of a New Era at Lehigh Valley Rail Management

On the hot and humid afternoon of Sunday August 24th, 2025, I decided to take a little drive to the Lehigh Valley and head for Bethlehem to buff out a railroad I haven't buffed out in years, Lehigh Valley Rail Management. The LVRM was acquired by brand new company Phoenix Rail earlier in 2025 and at the time, two of the railroad's former CSX locomotives, MP15DC 1146 and SW1500 1105 had been recently painted into a brand new and very sharp looking scheme to recognize the new ownership. I haven't enjoyed a new scheme this much in a while and was very happy to see these were running.

I found the LVRM afternoon crew putting together an outbound train for NS 260 at the Bethlehem Intermodal Yard, catching them behind the warehouses off of Spillman Drive and over Commerce Center Boulevard. Phoenix Rail painted 1146 and 1105, along with a PBNE veteran, LVRM MP15DC 19 and a friendly crew worked together to get the job done, dragging a huge intermodal consist into River Yard and picking up mixed freight left by NS H65 to take back with them. After rearranging their consist, the LVRM crew would take a cut of covered hoppers over to Iron Hill Yard, where plenty of covered hoppers are also stored. They'd spend a good of time drilling over there, and the trio of end cab EMDs sounded and looked phenomenal as they were put to work. After watching them work for a while, I'd grow hungry and hit the road, satisfied with my afternoon of buffing. Enjoy the video!