Here's some remarkable shots of some side-by-side "drag race" running on the old RF&P, now CSX, in Ashland VA, courtesy of Virtual Railfan.
CSX trains, and Amtrak trains. This doesn't happen all that often, and you'll see why Ashland is such a good place for railfanning. The train shop "Tiny Tim's Trains And Toys," where I've spent more money than I want to think about, shows up in some of the shots. One of the best train shops on the East Coast, I might add! (Shameless plug.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2IqX6SPT6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPTPIXdNlbg
Have fun!
A double departure, you say?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFRKPfVpL_8
I saw this myself 15 years ago. It was something!
And in steam yet! It doesn't get any better than that!
Pikers!
(Literally...)
What you actually want with this is not just a 'catch'; you want a show. Here is a SHOW:
Or an even better show, special for Wayne for starting this thread. (Someone can probably find this in non-Faceplant format, but it's mighty evocative as is...)
https://www.facebook.com/RailfanDepot/videos/1097167957113722/
Flintlock76 Here's some remarkable shots of some side-by-side "drag race" running on the old RF&P, now CSX, in Ashland VA, courtesy of Virtual Railfan. CSX trains, and Amtrak trains. This doesn't happen all that often, and you'll see why Ashland is such a good place for railfanning. The train shop "Tiny Tim's Trains And Toys," where I've spent more money than I want to think about, shows up in some of the shots. One of the best train shops on the East Coast, I might add! (Shameless plug.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2IqX6SPT6s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPTPIXdNlbg Have fun! My railfan buddy who was my conductor and I had fun doing that sort of thing when we worked CSX's Q015 and Q016 container trains between Connellsville, Pa. and North Baltimore, Ohio. It was frustrating for motorists to have one train clear a road crossing only to reveal another train on the other track. It could be dangerous when overtaking the rear end of the train ahead when approaching a road crossing. Some motorists would start to cross as soon as the leading train cleared without waiting for the crossing flashers to clear or looking for another train. Mark Vinski
Mr. Vinski, you lucky guy you!
And thanks for those vids Mod-man! I saw the Facebook vid just fine, and unless I miss my guess that's the famous side-by-side run of 1218 and 611 in conjuction with the 1989 NRHS convention in Roanoke.
Those British mini-steamers are beyond cool! And you're right, the Aussies did put on one hell of a show!
Why do I get the impression the other English speaking peoples seem to know how to have a lot more fun with preserved steam than we do? I can imagine them speaking to us now:
"You blokes take your railroading MUCH too seriously!"
What would be a fair guess on why one Amtrak train would be passing another in Ashland? Which trains do you suppose they are?
I was under the impression that with the exception of the Auto Train, all Amtrak trains that went through Ashland stopped there.
I love Ashland, and have been there several times. But over the years I have managed to see only 1-2 trains total.
Im pretty sure the AMTK trains were southbound. Is that true of the freights also? I think so.
Lithonia OperatorWhat would be a fair guess on why one Amtrak train would be passing another in Ashland? Which trains do you suppose they are? I was under the impression that with the exception of the Auto Train, all Amtrak trains that went through Ashland stopped there. I love Ashland, and have been there several times. But over the years I have managed to see only 1-2 trains total. Im pretty sure the AMTK trains were southbound. Is that true of the freights also? I think so.
I don't believe the 'Silver Service' trains, including the Palmetto stop at Ashland. The North Carolina and Virginia 'sponsored' trains stop at Ashland.
Auto Train only stops at Florence for crew change and engine service.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I did the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway a few years ago and yes, those blokes are serious. There are special trains that carry children to school every day and during the big show between 1939 and 1945, they had an armoured train that would patrol the line because it parallels the coast. Them Brits!
BaltACD Lithonia Operator What would be a fair guess on why one Amtrak train would be passing another in Ashland? Which trains do you suppose they are? I was under the impression that with the exception of the Auto Train, all Amtrak trains that went through Ashland stopped there. I love Ashland, and have been there several times. But over the years I have managed to see only 1-2 trains total. Im pretty sure the AMTK trains were southbound. Is that true of the freights also? I think so. I don't believe the 'Silver Service' trains, including the Palmetto stop at Ashland. The North Carolina and Virginia 'sponsored' trains stop at Ashland. Auto Train only stops at Florence for crew change and engine service.
Lithonia Operator What would be a fair guess on why one Amtrak train would be passing another in Ashland? Which trains do you suppose they are? I was under the impression that with the exception of the Auto Train, all Amtrak trains that went through Ashland stopped there. I love Ashland, and have been there several times. But over the years I have managed to see only 1-2 trains total. Im pretty sure the AMTK trains were southbound. Is that true of the freights also? I think so.
Johnny
BaltACDI don't believe the 'Silver Service' trains, including the Palmetto stop at Ashland. The North Carolina and Virginia 'sponsored' trains stop at Ashland. Auto Train only stops at Florence for crew change and engine service.
That's pretty much it. The "Regionals" do stop at Ashland, occasionally some others but I'm not 100% sure on that.
In the videos the Amtrak trains are southbounds, the CSX trains are northbounds.
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