I have always prided myself on being a good traveler. As a child, I pored over maps, directing my parents the proper road to take to reach our annual vacation destination at Daytona Beach. But the trip I finished today tells me that I may have become too good at plotting out a trip that takes me from point A to B, C, D, E, F, and sometimes G and beyond. Anyway, here are highlights from my trip back East as I zip across Ohio at 40,000 feet.
First, riding the Washington, D.C., Metro is an easy way to get between Reagan National Airport and downtown. Even with track work that had the Red Line down to one track at Gallery, I still was able to ride with ease into the city. The backlit stations are still among my favorites for photography.
Second, Washington Union Station remains a classic station, especially in the giant main waiting room concourse with its gilded features, but portions of it look ragged and used up. Maybe it is because I haven’t been there in some years, or maybe it was that I had time to kill and my eye and mind were wandering. I was surprised and delighted to see Washington Streetcar terminate on the backside, but it is a rather odd terminus in the middle of a street. I can also recommend the coconut fried rice with chicken at East Street Café, and I can tell you that you can still buy a red bandana (I always carry one with me) at a vendor just off the great hall, but nowhere else in the building that I could find.
Third, Cass Scenic Railroad put on an impressive show with the debut of Pacific Coast Shay No. 2 after eight years of inactivity and a brief restoration. Our Trains magazine photo charter took eight customers to the wye just below Bald Knob, with two log cars, an open car, and a caboose. We made 15 photo runbys. Our engineer was well-known Cass engineer Danny Seldomridge, who ran No. 2 for 17 years before it went into the shop. Danny knows his engine well, and he says it will need more timing work. It was good to see Shays Nos. 4, 5, and Western Maryland No. 6 under steam, and to see Heisler No. 6 operating at Durbin. Inside the shop was Climax No. 3 for overhaul. Nearby was an old friend, Buffalo Creek & Gauley 2-8-0 No. 4.
Fourth, the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley dinner train from Elkins, W.Va. to the High Falls of the Cheat River is one of the most scenic trips around, made even better by a delicious and meaty prime rib. We saw bald eagles flying down the river. A pair of Western Maryland-painted F7s graced the front of the train, and a former Southern Pacific office car converted into a lounge brought up the markers. The curve at High Falls is more like a corner – 85-foot cars are forbidden, and only cars less than 70 feet in length are allowed around it.
Fifth, Jim Porterfield’s Sounds of Railroading symposium got off to a good start with a lecture on the origins of railroad music at Davis & Elkins College. While lightly attended — I counted a dozen attendees — it is a worthwhile topic to explore, and Trains and Classic Trains were proud to be sponsors. Next year’s symposium moves to Chicago to explore jazz, and the conference goes to Memphis the following year to look at blues music. The connection between railroading and music is a strong one. Look for a feature story on the topic in a coming issue.
Sixth, Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611’s excursions between Manassas, Va., and Front Royal, Va., once again showcased the best passenger steam locomotive ever built. Even on wet rail and with 21 cars in tow, the Class J was up to the task, even westbound with both pops open at Linden Hill and moving at a crawl. While these were the last public excursions for the engine this year, it still has an extensive display schedule this summer and fall at both Spencer, N.C., and at its home base in Roanoke, Va.
Seventh, I filmed a short video report for News Wire that you can view later this week about the land shift that occurred on Western Maryland Scenic about three miles below Frostburg, Md., and just about the No. 9 switch, where the Cumberland & Pennsylvania and the old WM main line intersect. While state officials call the ground settling a few feet a landslide, I would call it something else. It is fascinating to see the gismo brought in to sort the gob pile coal that is responsible for the settling, so you’ll have to take my word for it that the video is worth it. I am betting the Western Maryland Scenic could sell a bunch of tickets to passengers just for the chance to ride to the work site and watch the machinery at work. I know I would.
Eighth, I managed to visit Western Maryland Scenic’s restoration of Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 on the only day off for the crew. That means a neat and tidy but quiet shop. I did see the tender tank that has been repaired and is ready for paint as well as the patch cut out on the backhead around the firedoor and chalk marks for additional old metal to come out. My host, John Hankey, says the project should be on track to be in steam this fall.
Lastly, I had dinner in Arlington, Va., with columnist Don Phillips, and both Don and I are eager to learn the identity of Amtrak’s new president. We discussed that and other issues of the day over a glass of red wine. As always, Don is eager to share with you in his monthly column.
So, that brings me to flight 1216, which is now just 29 minutes out. I’d rather be on the Capitol heading into Chicago this morning, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices to connect so many dots. No matter how we get around, it’s all about bringing you Trains, the magazine and Website of railroading.
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