Trains.com

Ashland VA trains

1536 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2017
  • 2,671 posts
Ashland VA trains
Posted by Lithonia Operator on Saturday, December 11, 2021 8:13 PM

I'll be in Ashland tomorrow morning. I'm prepared to wait up to an hour and a half for a train to photograph. How good are my chances? (I greatly prefer a southbound.) Probably Sunday isn't the best day, but that's the way this trip shook out. Either freight or Amtrak works.

Still in training.


  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, December 11, 2021 8:19 PM

I'd say very good, particularly with the Amtrak trains.  Amtrak schedules are posted at the Ashland train station so you'll get a good idea when they're coming through, both north and southbound.

Freights are another matter since freights only run as needed. That being said you may not have to wait more than a half-hour to 45 minutes to see something. 

For some fun, visit Tiny Tim's Trains and Toys, they're south of the train station on the same block as the Iron Horse Restaurant.  Some good stuff in there!

PS:  What time are you going to be there?  Maybe  I can swing by to say "hello."

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • 2,671 posts
Posted by Lithonia Operator on Sunday, December 12, 2021 11:43 AM

Sorry Flint, I only just now noticed the PS. Leaving Ashland 12:45ish. Got SB AMTK right about noon. Train did not stop. Any idea which train that was?

Still in training.


  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Matthews NC
  • 363 posts
Posted by matthewsaggie on Sunday, December 12, 2021 1:23 PM

Carolinian #79

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Sunday, December 12, 2021 4:33 PM

Lithonia Operator
Sorry Flint, I only just now noticed the PS.

Aw, that's OK.  Maybe next time!

To tell the truth, I'm so sore from helping a friend empty a house out yesterday I can barely move today, but rest assured, I'd have made the effort to get to Ashland!

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • 2,671 posts
Posted by Lithonia Operator on Sunday, December 12, 2021 5:07 PM

matthewsaggie

Carolinian #79

 

Thanks, Matthew!

Still in training.


  • Member since
    December 2017
  • 2,671 posts
Posted by Lithonia Operator on Sunday, December 12, 2021 5:15 PM

Flintlock76

 

 
Lithonia Operator
Sorry Flint, I only just now noticed the PS.

 

Aw, that's OK.  Maybe next time!

To tell the truth, I'm so sore from helping a friend empty a house out yesterday I can barely move today, but rest assured, I'd have made the effort to get to Ashland!

 

It would have been fun to meet up. I wish it had happened.

I saw three trains in about 90 mins, but two were northbound (one CSX with DPUs, and an Amtrak). Got a decent shot of the SB Carolinian, though, with some of the commercial district (E of the tracks) In the back ground.

Still in training.


  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Sunday, December 12, 2021 5:51 PM

Lithonia Operator
I saw three trains in about 90 mins

That's pretty good for a Sunday morning in Ashland. 

Can you imagine what it must have been like there during the WW2 years, when there was a train coming through every fifteen minutes, both north AND southbound?  And steam-powered too!  

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy