Virginia Railfanning September 13, 2025, Part I: Fredericksburg

#train #railfan #railway

It would have been easy to turn off the alarm and go back to sleep on Saturday were it not for for the weather forecasts leading up to that morning. "Sunny and cooler, a great start to the weekend." Or as translated by my internal monologue, "Get out and railfan, stupid."

0:00 - CSX M407/Amtrak 52, Auto Train
If your scanner is not already running when you arrive at your chosen railfanning destination, getting it running should be the top priority. Case in point - all was quiet when I arrived at City Dock Park in Fredericksburg, and I switched on my scanner to let it run while I unloaded my camera and tripod and walked down to the river's edge. I double-timed the camera setup when the scanner suddenly crackled to life as M407 and the northbound Auto Train called signals. With seconds to spare, I rolled camera as ET44AH 3314, ES44AH 872, and CM44AH 7386 strode out onto the Rappahannock River bridge with their train, followed soon after by Amtrak's flagship behind ALC-42s 354 and 352. Only two trains in and I was already having a better morning than the fishermen.

3:30 - Amtrak Northeast Regional 88
The Rappahannock retained its mirror finish as Northeast Regional 88 departed Fredericksburg behind ALC-42 356.

4:49 - Amtrak 89, Palmetto
No time to reflect as the Palmetto headed south behind ALC-42 303, one of the few units to wear Amtrak's Phase VI livery.

5:16 - Amtrak Northeast Regional 194
Northeast Regional 194 wrapped up my time in Fredericksburg as it made a smoky, chugging departure behind P42 105. As the sun continued its journey, so must I continue mine.