72 Hours on the Rathole

Roanoke Chapter NRHS Excursion to Danville

Today, the Roanoke Chapter NRHS sponsored a circle to trip to Danville, VA from Roanoke.  The train made its way east on the ex-Virginian routing to Altavista where it switched onto the ex-Southern southbound for Danville.  The return trip took the train north to Lynchburg and then west to Roanoke on the ex-N&W Blue Ridge District.  My 18mo old son Carter and I headed out early this morning to meet up with Bill Whitbeck and grab a few shots.  We ended up with some keepers for the day and here are the highlights...

The eastbound excursion rolls through the S-curves at Hardy, VA, with the 3 domes up front.

CB&Q / Northern Pacific "North Coast Limited" Dome

The Rio Grande Scenic full-length dome car, similar to the NS "Delaware" dome.

The "Southern Hospitality" dome.

An N&W coach rounds out the short PV section ahead of the Amfleet equipment.

Instead of chasing the train, Bill and myself elected to grab a few shots around town.  We waited at Hardy for awhile for 352 to come east but no luck.  That is, of course, until we head back into Roanoke at which time the Lynchburg Dispatcher cut him loose.  NS 7603 leads 352 east on the Tinker Connection.

After stopping by JK and watching 754 put their train together, we headed to a newly cleared location immediately behind my apartment building.  This view was completely obstructed by trees less than a week ago until crews cleared the land to make way for a new Appalachian Power transmission line.  :)

Carter and I took a break at the house for a few hours and after getting a call from Joe Shaw, we decided to head back out trackside to catch the special eastbound.  217 was up first at Bonsack with a Tophat leading.

After 217 cleared we raced to Webster to catch the special.  Amtrak 176 leads 873 westbound into the evening sun at Webster.  Most of the leaves have fallen, but a little color still remains in the hills.

Last, but not least, is a shot from a few days ago in Salem.  Here a westbound hopper train, with a VERY clean ex-Conrail SD50 trailing, makes a run for Christiansburg grade.

NCTM Excursion Train - 10/30/2010

The North Carolina Transportation Museum excursion train, led by Amtrak P42DC #176, passes the Freight Car America plant as it arrives into Roanoke, VA.

 

The Watuga Chapter of the NRHS owns a beautiful restored N&W coach.  One can only guess she feels at home here in a city she frequented for so many years!

The front half of the train was Amtrak Amfleet I equipment and the rear half was comprised of private varnish.  Here is a look at most of the private cars stretched out along the creek.

Louisville & Nashville observation "Royal Street" brings up the rear of this 25-car train.  This car was originally used on name trains such as the Southern Rwy "Crescent"

The special eases forward at Henry Street to unload the 2nd group of passengers.  NS 720 to the right has been blue flagged for safety until all of the passengers have been safely unloaded.

NS 147 creeps westbound through the North Jefferson control point with an Oakway trailing.

The excursion train backed up to Furnace Crossing to get ready for a move around the wye to turn the train.  NS 720 was allowed to proceed eastbound out of town.

NS 720 was a DPU train and the rear units pass the North Coast Ltd dome car.

NS 976 was given permission from the Roanoke Dispatcher to move westbound through the east leg of the wye at 5mph.  NS had folks in place to protect the main road crossings downtown.

P42DC #176 poses next to the Tazwell Ave signal in downtown Roanoke.

Some rare mileage as the special eases south towards the diamond at JK on the Winston-Salem District.