Railroad Lines
Chesapeake Western - 5
29/08/12 08:56
Between Weyers Cave and Mount Crawford, the CW crosses North River three times in quick succession.
Like several other old branchlines of the B&O Railroad, I wonder if this particular routing makes good sense for getting the line on down the Valley, but it definitely makes for an interesting series of bridges.
The girders for this North River crossing rest on one stone and two concrete piers.
Sitting on a siding near the north end of the bridge was a Burro Crane.
This Burro Crane at Mount Crawford was the first piece of railroad equipment I had seen on the CW railroad that day.
Like several other old branchlines of the B&O Railroad, I wonder if this particular routing makes good sense for getting the line on down the Valley, but it definitely makes for an interesting series of bridges.
The girders for this North River crossing rest on one stone and two concrete piers.
Sitting on a siding near the north end of the bridge was a Burro Crane.
This Burro Crane at Mount Crawford was the first piece of railroad equipment I had seen on the CW railroad that day.
Chesapeake Western - 4
20/05/12 18:04
Weyers Cave
In May of 1989, I spent a day out photographing the Chesapeake Western Railroad in the Shenandoah Valley.
A few miles north of Fort Defiance, there was a surprise waiting for me Weyers Cave as well.
A large, elaborate old station was still standing, though it apparently was no longer used by the railroad.
The modern industry across the road offered a sharp contrast to the ancient station.
Amid the storage tanks and hodge podge of additions, the trim and ornamentation of the old building still strongly identified it as being originally built by the railroad.
In May of 1989, I spent a day out photographing the Chesapeake Western Railroad in the Shenandoah Valley.
A few miles north of Fort Defiance, there was a surprise waiting for me Weyers Cave as well.
A large, elaborate old station was still standing, though it apparently was no longer used by the railroad.
The modern industry across the road offered a sharp contrast to the ancient station.
Amid the storage tanks and hodge podge of additions, the trim and ornamentation of the old building still strongly identified it as being originally built by the railroad.
Chesapeake Western - 3
07/04/12 09:34
Fort Defiance and Mount Sidney
In May of 1989, I spent a day out photographing the Chesapeake Western Railroad in the Shenandoah Valley.
Following the line north out of Verona, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Fort Defiance depot in such good shape.
I remember that while I was here photographing the station a young railfan, a toddler in diapers, was up on a nearby front porch pointing and jabbering away, apparently explaining the history of the depot and operations of the railroad.
The line continued northeast to Mount Sidney where it crossed Buttermilk Road.
All the sidings on this section of the CW ran a short distance and disappeared into tall weeds.
In May of 1989, I spent a day out photographing the Chesapeake Western Railroad in the Shenandoah Valley.
Following the line north out of Verona, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Fort Defiance depot in such good shape.
I remember that while I was here photographing the station a young railfan, a toddler in diapers, was up on a nearby front porch pointing and jabbering away, apparently explaining the history of the depot and operations of the railroad.
The line continued northeast to Mount Sidney where it crossed Buttermilk Road.
All the sidings on this section of the CW ran a short distance and disappeared into tall weeds.
Chesapeake Western - 2
29/02/12 10:55
Verona
In May of 1989, I spent a day out photographing the Chesapeake Western Railroad in the Shenandoah Valley.
The small town of Verona had apparently been a busy place along the CW at one time.
Several businesses had railroad sidings, but the spurs were overgrown
I found this milepost marker in Verona, and wondered what was 20 miles away that would be designated “S”? I could only guess milepost zero was in Harrisonburg, possibly at the junction with the Southern Railway coming south from Strasburg.
Chesapeake Western - I
12/02/12 07:27
Middle River Bridge
In May of 1989, I spent a day out photographing the Chesapeake Western Railroad in the Shenandoah Valley.
By then, the Alco T6 switchers were gone, so I was not particularly interested in photographing a train out on the line. I was more interested in determining what elements should be included in a model railroad based on a rural shortline like the CW.
The bridge over Middle River showed signs of revisions being made over the years.
There were both steel and old stone piers supporting it.
The abutments were stone with poured concrete sills.
The deck of the bridge had guard rails.
There were small platforms along the length of the bridge supported by longer crossties.
Train time at Doswell
27/06/11 08:01
BB number 9 switches rock cars as BB number 3 rolls through West Diamond and enters the yard.
Beaverdam Local
19/01/11 22:30
Today was warm and pleasant, considering how the weather has been lately, so I went for a short drive along the Richmond & Allegheny Division of the Buckingham Branch Railroad.
To my great surprise, I caught a local train working in Beaverdam. I had never seen a local out working this line before, going all the way back to the Chessie System days.
The locomotive pulled up beside the old depot, then backed down to its train.
This is an old EMD GP-18, obviously in very good condition. It was as much fun to listen to the engine rev up as it was to watch the crew do their work.
To my great surprise, I caught a local train working in Beaverdam. I had never seen a local out working this line before, going all the way back to the Chessie System days.
The locomotive pulled up beside the old depot, then backed down to its train.
This is an old EMD GP-18, obviously in very good condition. It was as much fun to listen to the engine rev up as it was to watch the crew do their work.
Winchester & Western
25/11/10 08:21
The Winchester & Western has been hauling sand out of Gore, Virginia for many years.
Over that time it has used some interesting locomotives. Lately the W&W has been using these unique home-built slug units.
Alco and EMD parts were combined to create a locomotive with cab controls and traction motors, but no prime mover. The trailing Geep generates the power to run both itself and the slug.
Over that time it has used some interesting locomotives. Lately the W&W has been using these unique home-built slug units.
Alco and EMD parts were combined to create a locomotive with cab controls and traction motors, but no prime mover. The trailing Geep generates the power to run both itself and the slug.
Potts Creek Local
23/03/10 15:05
In October of 1983, Norfolk & Western Geeps were hauling a local up the Potts Creek Branch in Giles County, Virginia. The train served several large gypsum mining operations.
The mines were at Kimballton and Kernes. Gypsum was crushed and dehydrated in large mills.
The mills received carloads of coal, and shipped covered hoppers of gypsum.
The local would stop with the caboose immediately adjacent to the entrance of a mill. The conductor would go to the mill office to set up his drops and pickups.
Taking advantage of the steep grade on the branch, cars were rolled by gravity into position to be loaded.
Workers rode the cuts of cars, using the brake wheel to keep their speed under control.
The mines were at Kimballton and Kernes. Gypsum was crushed and dehydrated in large mills.
The mills received carloads of coal, and shipped covered hoppers of gypsum.
The local would stop with the caboose immediately adjacent to the entrance of a mill. The conductor would go to the mill office to set up his drops and pickups.
Taking advantage of the steep grade on the branch, cars were rolled by gravity into position to be loaded.
Workers rode the cuts of cars, using the brake wheel to keep their speed under control.
James River Line - Strathmore
04/02/10 10:14
After Labor Day weekend of 2009, my weekly work schedule was radically modified. From then on I worked day shift hours, and had much larger contiguous chunks of free time. I had a longer leash ... I could take the time to go places and do things I had not had time for.
I decided to pick one place to go that I really missed, and that place was Strathmore, Virginia. The driving and hiking time required to get there had put it out of reach for over three years.
On the way, I stopped at Elk Island to catch this eastbound coal drag dusting the line.
Getting to Strathmore required driving to Shores, which is itself a very nice spot along the James River. This stretch of the river is known as the Seven Islands. The river breaks into small rocky streams that meander through the woods.
Strathmore was once the southern terminal of the Virginia Air Line, and is now the interchange yard for the Buckingham Branch Railroad. Old foundations and footings in the weeds show where locomotive servicing facilities once were. The water standpipe and sand towers are still there.
The old Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad is still very much in evidence at this remote spot along the river.
I decided to pick one place to go that I really missed, and that place was Strathmore, Virginia. The driving and hiking time required to get there had put it out of reach for over three years.
On the way, I stopped at Elk Island to catch this eastbound coal drag dusting the line.
Getting to Strathmore required driving to Shores, which is itself a very nice spot along the James River. This stretch of the river is known as the Seven Islands. The river breaks into small rocky streams that meander through the woods.
Strathmore was once the southern terminal of the Virginia Air Line, and is now the interchange yard for the Buckingham Branch Railroad. Old foundations and footings in the weeds show where locomotive servicing facilities once were. The water standpipe and sand towers are still there.
The old Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad is still very much in evidence at this remote spot along the river.
Richmond - Bryan Park Terminal
09/11/09 21:29
In March of 1984, blue and gray RF&P Geeps were dropping southbound freights in Acca Yard, then crossing over to the engine house lead.
The train dropped by the RF&P was quickly picked up by a pair of Family Lines locomotives.
As the Seaboard Coast Line became the Family Lines System, stray locomotives from all over the southeast began to show up at Bryan Park Terminal.
Not much into corporate identity, just minimal patch paint jobs.
The train dropped by the RF&P was quickly picked up by a pair of Family Lines locomotives.
As the Seaboard Coast Line became the Family Lines System, stray locomotives from all over the southeast began to show up at Bryan Park Terminal.
Not much into corporate identity, just minimal patch paint jobs.
Richmond - Williams Island
03/05/09 22:18
In November of 1984, westbound empty coal hoppers rumbled along the James River.
Now, you rarely see westbound trains on the James River line, and never see a caboose.
Now, you rarely see westbound trains on the James River line, and never see a caboose.
Thomas Sub Local
24/01/09 20:04
On a frosty morning in October of 1986, I happened to arrive in Henry, West Virginia at the same time as a local freight train.
The train ran west from Bayard to Henry, then backed caboose first up a long branch to the Mettiki coal mine.
Three Chessie System locomotives pushed the train up the branch.
The train ran west from Bayard to Henry, then backed caboose first up a long branch to the Mettiki coal mine.
Three Chessie System locomotives pushed the train up the branch.
Train Time at Newburg
14/11/08 11:43
The rare opportunity to visit the West End of the B&O presented itself, so I spent a day in Northern West Virginia.
I started in Terra Alta, then drove west down Salt Lick Road, jumping over to Cranberry Grade wherever there was access.
I eventually reached MK Junction, and the old locomotive shop. A train of empty westbound hoppers was idle in the yard. The helper locomotives were sitting on a short spur near the tower.
While there, I caught a westbound empty coal train crossing the Cheat River into Rowlesburg.
I wanted to try to photograph this train again further down the line. I raced west on crooked roads, risking my life to glance at maps.
I eventually found the railroad again at Independence.
I hiked west to the Seaboard style signal to see if I had missed the train. The semaphore was green. Apparently I had gotten there in time.
I didn't have to wait long. A westbound train rolled into view ... but it was not the train I had seen cross Cheat River.
I headed back west toward Newburg from Independence wondering what had happened to the train I had seen at the bridge.
It was stopped with the locomotives just west of Independence. The train stretched back to Newburg. The coal cars that were empty when the train crossed the Cheat River were now loaded.
I drove down the the grade crossing in Newburg. The helper set from MK was slowly approaching the rear of the train.
The brakeman coupled the locomotives up.
In fading autumn twilight, the train began rolling eastbound back toward MK.
The locomotives that had pulled the train to Newburg were now pushing hard on the rear, bringing a great day on the old B&O to an end.
I started in Terra Alta, then drove west down Salt Lick Road, jumping over to Cranberry Grade wherever there was access.
I eventually reached MK Junction, and the old locomotive shop. A train of empty westbound hoppers was idle in the yard. The helper locomotives were sitting on a short spur near the tower.
While there, I caught a westbound empty coal train crossing the Cheat River into Rowlesburg.
I wanted to try to photograph this train again further down the line. I raced west on crooked roads, risking my life to glance at maps.
I eventually found the railroad again at Independence.
I hiked west to the Seaboard style signal to see if I had missed the train. The semaphore was green. Apparently I had gotten there in time.
I didn't have to wait long. A westbound train rolled into view ... but it was not the train I had seen cross Cheat River.
I headed back west toward Newburg from Independence wondering what had happened to the train I had seen at the bridge.
It was stopped with the locomotives just west of Independence. The train stretched back to Newburg. The coal cars that were empty when the train crossed the Cheat River were now loaded.
I drove down the the grade crossing in Newburg. The helper set from MK was slowly approaching the rear of the train.
The brakeman coupled the locomotives up.
In fading autumn twilight, the train began rolling eastbound back toward MK.
The locomotives that had pulled the train to Newburg were now pushing hard on the rear, bringing a great day on the old B&O to an end.
James River Line - Balcony Falls
11/10/08 10:58
The old Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad is still much in evidence at Balcony Falls
The Victorian station, water tank, and coal tower are typical of what could once be seen along the C&O from Hampton Roads to Huntington.
An SD50-2 works the interchange with Norfolk Southern.
The Victorian station, water tank, and coal tower are typical of what could once be seen along the C&O from Hampton Roads to Huntington.
An SD50-2 works the interchange with Norfolk Southern.
Around Richmond - Darbytown
04/07/08 13:35
The eastbound Colonial throttles up as it leaves Fulton Yard headed for Fort Monroe
These CW44ACs were dusted by both Colonials as they passed in quick succession.
These CW44ACs were dusted by both Colonials as they passed in quick succession.
Shenandoah Valley Line - Buena Vista
24/02/08 23:28
A northbound freight gets the signal to roll out onto the main.
The lead locomotive was built by General Electric. All the others are from General Motors.
An SD70-M, apparently still under warranty.
Conrail blue SD60.
Road weary Southern SD40 on a cold February afternoon.
James River Line - Galts Mill
12/11/07 09:28
A grain train runs east along the James River at Galts Mill.
James River Line - Elk Island
23/09/07 13:08
A string of brand new aluminum coal cars rolls east at Elk Island.
James River Line - Little Tunnel
23/06/07 07:13
My friend Chris Wiley has been teasing me for years with pictures he has taken from this point along the James River. Well, I finally found the spot for myself and settled in to wait for an eastbound to wind through the field and cross the bridge. I waited for hours and nothing ever came. I found out later from Harry Clark that there was a derailment at Saltpetre Cave that was blocking all traffic in this area. Just my luck!
After waiting forever at Little Tunnel, I drove on to Eagle Rock, where I met an eastbound slowly crawling through town.
I could have raced back to Horseshoe Bend to catch him there, but decided it wasn't worth it.
It was getting late, and I still had a ways to go to get to Ronceverte for Clint Foster's op session.
Around Richmond - Fulton Yard
10/06/07 08:33
A hot Sunday afternoon in Fulton Yard.
Long strings of coal cars waiting to go east to Hampton Roads or west to Clifton Forge.
Long strings of coal cars waiting to go east to Hampton Roads or west to Clifton Forge.