Train Photography

[Guest]

Norfolk Southern's Virginia Division - 07/03/11



This past Sunday, while visiting my folks in Keysville VA, I decided to do a little train watching along the rails that I spent my teen years around. Specifically the Norfolk and Blue Ridge Districts of the Norfolk Southern Railroad.



I started off the damp and cloudy morning at the yard in Crewe where I caught this eastbound coal train led by ES44AC #8072 entering the Norfolk District. Note the empty coal train sitting on the westbound main.



Eastbound Coal, Part I by VirginiaSouthern, on Flickr



Chasing the train eastbound I caught it moving through the corn fields just east of Blackstone.



Through The Corn, Part I by VirginiaSouthern, on Flickr



Crossing under US 460 just west of Ford.



Through The Cut by VirginiaSouthern, on Flickr



After chasing the loaded coal train through Ford, I caught sight of an empty coal train headed west.



Through The Corn, Part II by VirginiaSouthern, on Flickr



After arriving back in Crewe I caught another loaded coal train making its way east. This train was led by C40-8 #8736.



Eastbound Coal, Part II by VirginiaSouthern, on Flickr





NS 8736 by VirginiaSouthern, on Flickr



Getting into Burkeville, just west of Crewe, I noticed that the signal for the westbound main was green. A short time later the empty coal train that had been sitting on the main made it's way west. Power for the train consisted of SD70M-2 #2650, UP C40-8 #9101 (on lease to NS), former Conrail C40-8W #8348 and a standard Catfish. I guess this was a "no-headlight" day for the crew.



Empties Through Burkeville by VirginiaSouthern, on Flickr



To finish up my little trip, I caught the train as it passed through Abilene Junction.



Splitting The Signals by VirginiaSouthern, on Flickr