Railfanning The CSX RF&P Subdivision: October 20, 2024

#train #railfans #virginia

Another lazy Saturday got the better of me on October 19th, so I salvaged what I could from the weekend by heading out trackside along the RF&P Sub the following day.

0:00 - City Dock Park, Fredericksburg - Amtrak Northeast Regional 88
The morning mist over the Rappahannock River was burned off by the time P42 71 and Northeast Regional 88 strode out onto the bridge.

1:26 - CSX M301
Lead ES40DC 5274 was upstaged by ES44AH 1850 in Louisville & Nashville heritage livery as the pair led manifest M301 south. The 1850 was renumbered out of the usual ES44AH series to commemorate the date of the L&N's incorporation.

4:17 - Amtrak 89, Palmetto
ALC-42 310 stood out in its Phase VII paint as it led the southbound Palmetto over the Rappahannock and into the station.

My intention in using City Dock Park as my starting point was to capture the northbound Auto Train on the bridge, but as noon was nearing and the sun angle shifting with 52 still reported well to the south, I decided to move south a bit and improve the odds of a better shot.

4:50 - Jones Crossing, Woodford - Amtrak 52, Auto Train
After a scene change to Jones Crossing, I still had a good wait before the late-running Auto Train finally showed up a little after 1, led by ALC-42 346 and P40 830.

6:31 - Amtrak Northeast Regional 153
P42 44 demonstrated the horn echo at Jones Crossing as it streaked south with Northeast Regional 153.

7:18 - Amtrak 92, Silver Star
P42 107 and ALC-42 324 led the Silver Star northward a little after 2.

8:01 - CSX I031
CM44AC 7226 and ES40DC 5353 hurried past at a brisk pace with intermodal hotshot I031 to wrap up my time at Jones Crossing.

10:13 - Ashland - Amtrak Northeast Regional 195
A long lull was broken by the arrival of Northeast Regional 195, led by P42 167. An extended stop provided plenty of time to move down the street and get a look at the 167's Phase VII paint before the train finally departed.

12:37 - Amtrak 90, Palmetto
P42 92 led the northbound Palmetto through town.

13:12 - Amtrak 91, Silver Star
The southbound Star was led by a matched pair of ALC-42s, the 361 and 321.

14:05 - CSX M416
There was just enough light left to highlight the leaf colors south of England Street as manifest M416 approached, led by ES40DCs 5395 and 5472 and SD40-2 8441. The southbound Auto Train was not expected to depart Lorton until at least 8, so I reluctantly called it a day.