Ashland, VA Railfanning January 5, 2025: Out In The Cold, Part 1

#train #railfans #winter

The best laid plans can still go sideways once in a while. I had designs on more than one visit to Ashland during Light Up The Tracks 2024, but the FFVmobile and its primary driver were called up to fulfill family transportation duties in a time of need, and that of course takes precedence over non-essential railfanning shenanigans. A spot of sunny but cold weather ahead of the winter storm earlier this month coincided with no one else in the house needing to go anywhere, so I was able to escape to Ashland for the day.

0:00 - Amtrak 52, Auto Train
The thermometer read 22F upon my arrival shortly after 8, but I wasn't concerned. There was little to no wind, and I am well-versed in bundling up against cold while waiting for trains. Even so, I was happy I wasn't waiting long before a headlight appeared in the distance to the accompaniment of horn blasts. A few other hardy souls were out on the platform with me to witness the passage of the northbound Auto Train, led by neatly matched back-to-back ALC-42s 346 and 357.

2:25 - Amtrak Northeast Regional 88
A small crowd waited as Northeast Regional 88 arrived next, led by ALC-42 306 in Phase VI livery.

4:15 - Amtrak Northeast Regional 96
A bigger crowd was on hand for the arrival of Northeast Regional 96. No ALC-42 this time, but P42 138 was smartly dressed in the latest Phase VII scheme.

6:30 - Amtrak 89, Palmetto
The Phase V paint of P42 202 looked drab by comparison as it led the southbound Palmetto through town.

7:26 - CSX M422
Of course one of the few freights seen that day would pass under high sun...I tried to make the best of it as M422 rolled north behind CM44ACs 7241 and 7240.

12:46 - Amtrak 40, Floridian
I would be wishing for any amount of sunlight soon, as the cloud cover began a slow buildup ahead of the winter storm forecast for later that night. Amtrak's northbound Floridian split the difference with paint schemes and locomotive models, as it was led by Phase V P42 14 and Phase VII ALC-42 327.

13:40 - Amtrak 79, Carolinian
P42 205 was only the third unit in Phase V paint seen so far as it rolled by on the southbound Carolinian. The available light was only going to get worse from here on out, so it was time to switch cameras.