ANNNNND ANOTHER ONE AT ASHLAND, 8 CONRAIL BOXCARS, PARKING CAR VERSUS ENGINE & SO MUCH MORE!

Cotton Belt, Minnesota Commercial & Pioneer Lines Engines! Garbauge Containers, End of the Line Squirrel & Much More!
Please Like & Subscribe; it helps us to continue the Grab Bags and find new camera locations.
Our VRF Grab Bags (GB) videos are compiled from content from our cameras as Mods and fans spot something neat while watching our cameras. In the GB you will, of course, find a variety of TRAIN content, special trains, maintenance, steam, diesels, interesting rail cars, cool paint schemes and more. You will also find fun people, city events, boats, planes, cars (sometimes going wild) and nature. Thank you for taking the time to sit back and enjoy these highlight reels that we call "Grab Bags"!

[@je5115]

Love the videos, been watching for a few years! One request; when the camera focuses on one particular car or something, shows it in slow motion or pauses the video on it- it would be GREAT to have a caption explaining what the special focus is on! I know its done for rare older cars, etc but so many times the focus is on something and we have no idea what’s special about what we are looking at! Help us learn! Thanks!!! ❤️

[@01FozzyS]

Ashland and La Grange are moving up the list for tourist attractions. 😂

[@Jeo81]

I actually wanna visit la grange 😂

[@ren-uz2mz]

Just find a safe place to park and watch..

[@marcg.3830]

Ashlands a nice little town, small but nice. Especially the part you see on virtual railfan.

[@bobniehaus5053]

Hey, at least the guy in Lagrange actually got out of the way this time instead of insisting on finishing parking with the train so close! 😂

[@NewEnglandTrainsAviation]

More like motorist attractions. Seems as if they get attracted to in the middle of the tracks.

[@MrBnsftrain]

0:30 Colorado & Southern heritage hopper 1:10 more of those Monon-esque boxcars 1:30 CSX 1869 leading 2:17 Cotton Belt gray geep trailing 2:38 what do these covered gondolas carry? steel? 3:08 UP, CP, and BNSF triple-header 3:29 BNSF, CP, and MRL triple-header 4:10 doubleheading H2 dash 9s 4:20 three SD75Ms and a scale test car on the rear 4:36 Cotton Belt hopper 4:53 NS 8102 leading solo with a CPKC autorack right behind it 5:12 two solo leader intermodals meet. The first does not have any DPUs and the 2nd has mixed freight and a rear DPU 7:20 WOW! Minnesota Commercial 50 (couldn't tell what it was until you pointed out the logo) is an SF30C, a 1980s rebuild by the Santa Fe of a U36C. They were retired by the newly formed BNSF in 1995 and many were sent to Brazil. 10:07 NS 1071 and a UP unit as mid-train DPUs 10:27 GATX Potash Corp Make-A-Wish hopper 10:57 an entire train of Amtrak ballast cars being pulled by one NS unit through elkhart 11:28 double warbonnets (both still lettered 'Santa Fe') and a Pioneer Lines SW1300 (Illinois Central rebuild of an NW2) sold to BUGX 11:58 car drives straight onto the tracks! Had to be towed out and an Amtrak had to be stopped 14:56 three P42s on the Southwest Chief arriving on the opposite track at Flagstaff. There's enough space to rebuild platform 2 here 17:25 I don't think that semi should be allowed to turn right here. The driver eventually realizes that too 17:55 cutting it close at La Grange 18:45 NS 1072 and 1070 doubleheading still! Along with John Deere tractors further down the train 19:15 CB&Q heritage hopper 22:00 those hoppers are actually used to transport animal feed. 22:14 a solid cut of eight Conrail boxcars!

[@4star62]

At what point does Ashland make a one-way street with no parking, and put up signs warning about the tracks?

[@alanosilva886]

12:30 Saturday night's fun was guaranteed, Thank you, Ashland.

[@robertgift]

How embarrassing. Elderly driver?

[@m.r.3510]

Fastest I've ever seen the MOW machines move.😊

[@brandoncarstensen1637]

Timestamp 7:20 Info on that unit: GE SF30C. Built 3/73 as ATSF 8728 (U36C) Renumbered to ATSF 9501 (SF30C) Renumbered to 50 and sold to MNNR. Now sold off to ARZX.

[@robchit1]

The covered hoppers that looked like former coal gons were distiller grain empties heading for Eddyville IA

[@joshthetrainfan]

7:26 That bloody SF30C is headed home...to the Arizona State Railroad Museum.

[@terin1862]

The "dumas" in Ashland should have to apologize to every single person on the Amtrak for the delay. Lots of people gripe about Amtrak being late, but in this case it's a chowderhead causing the delay.

[@donnaj9964]

Yep, I was just thinking how happy all those Amtrak passengers must be to have all of their schedules and connections blown to smithereens by a bonehead...😏

[@charleshagenbuch6078]

I see they had the optional MOW light speed drive installed at Ft. Madison.

[@kennethlacewell1517]

19:45 Merry Christmas!

[@menslady125eif2590]

Here we go again with the Deranged of La Grange.

[@MarkTheLostTraveler]

12:00 That was an awesome job by the tow truck driver. Ashland never disappoints us. I think if they would have just backed straight out just like they came in they might have been ok. 17:53 La Grange another place that doesn't disappoint us.

[@thomream1888]

Someone needs to tell the squirrel (21:40) it ain't' safe to cross over a coupler like that! Safety first, ya goober.

[@ClarissaPacker]

1st, great as always love the white squirrel don't see them too often

[@lawrencewheeler8868]

Hazmat, 3257, molten sulfur!! Squirrel betterwatch out!!

[@kentheld3733]

The train with NS 4004 actually hauls cattle feed. Not garbage.

[@johnstafford4304]

called sweet bran, by Cargill in Eddyville Iowa

[@ryanfrogz]

I saw the Minnesota Commercial SF30C in person, just as it was leaving Northtown Yard. Engine door was not open when it left.

[@mostlyinterested1016]

And another one bites the dust!

[@davidhibbs6989]

🐿️ found a bad spot to sit!

[@BradRains]

Ashland NEVER disappoints.

[@rogertemple7193]

I'm always here for the magnificent trains and the awesome train fans but seeing an occasional Darwin is kinda funny to see Thanks.🇺🇲🤠🇨🇦 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🇺🇲🇨🇦💨

[@albertvieira6635]

The city can fix this problem put a chain link fence in the Jersey barrier in between the two railroad tracks it would take care of that problem very simple

[@tmeyer2022]

22:52 I nominate the squirrel for "Darwin Candidate".

[@jamesghiorzoe107]

At 22:53 that is a dedicated railfan to be out at 450 AM!

[@ChainsawNW1218]

Double DPU action in Roanoke, nice lash up with SF warbonnets and switcher,nice lash up in Elkhart with John Deer loads,S&A EMD, good video!👍🛤🚂

[@gp3829]

Some real nice Fallen Flag Freight-cars tonight thanks VRF, especially the Conrail Boxcars. The Offset Doors make them worth checking-out.

[@richardbause2453]

Hello dispatcher; Dispatcher go ahead; How close is the next train to Ashland, Virginia 🤔? Dispatcher; Amtrak should be there any minute ,why 😮. We have a DARWIN that would like to depart this planet for the safety of society, please delay the station stop and HIGHBALL!!!😮😂 Roger...

[@BeensEpicYt]

Always love watching these, makes my day

[@bobniehaus5053]

Ashland really should be a test site for some way to stop people from turning onto the tracks!

[@donnaj9964]

I always like the fallen flags, but you had some in here that I've never even heard of before--pretty work! And it was nice to catch up with Chehalis; I've been missing th--oh! squirrel! Anyway, I loved it--thanks!

[@jackkreighbaum783]

No smoke break!

[@nicholaslowe3658]

I ❤️ the amtrak trains

[@catreader9733]

@4:53. I had to hit Pause myself to soak up the loco in PRR livery. (Grew up next to a PRR 3/4 track, electrified, high-speed section, at a crossing with no signals. GG1s were my favorites.).

[@ernestyeagley512]

Ashland ought to change its name to "Crashland".

[@danielr.sepulvedaranspilot976]

Never disappoint, thanks.

[@richardbause2453]

Someone rewind the Fairport camera for today. A Port of Galveston Boxcar passed me at Oneida, NY late afternoon.

[@the-terrible63]

Wow! Excellent catching all the trains, especially the Heritage Units, BNSF Herzog railcars and the Herzog vehicles in Fort Madison, Iowa, a car got stuck on the train tracks in Ashland, Virginia, and so much more, I like all of them, @Virtual Railfan, thank you very much.

[@davidbrown4823]

What is with people and crossings? always good to see Conrail.

[@TheMetGuy]

Love your grab bags

[@kens.3729]

Kids, Don’t Let your Parents Drink and Drive in Ashland and Everywhere else. 🤪👎

[@lindaterrell5535]

Guys who get the cars off the tracks have taken it to an art form.

[@patrickgenre8395]

Ephemeral art ?

[@machendave]

What a palaver to move a car, a grab on a truck, grab hold, lift, off to the scrapper. Charge the driver for all the trouble he caused.

[@justinmalachinski1]

The NS train with the Illinois terminal and wabash train originated out of The BRC yard in Bedford park IL. I hung their EOT (awesome crew, very patient)

[@citylimits8927]

At 11:04, the 3X speed and the sound of the wheels on the rails has a nice upbeat rhythm to it!

[@briankemp5206]

Something in the water of Ashland and La Grange. They think their trains!

[@adventuresofzebdallas4148]

Your videos are amazing Virtual Railfan!

[@colefd]

NS 4001 and that series are cool...

[@danigrand5610]

Ashland - again - for the win!

[@ren-uz2mz]

So much good stuff as always! TY to everyone!

[@413TomaccoRoad]

Wichita sure gets a lot of high engine count trains. I've never seen more than 6 CSX engines hooked up. There were 12 on a train through Wichita!

[@GeorgeJansen]

12:05. Thank you Darwin

[@davidcrook5511]

Why does it always have to be La Grange? Always having problems especially with road transport 🙄 And it's such a NICE place☺ Liked 1301 at Fort Madison and 1225 at Waycross (I think) and 7560 looked so smart in that final clip. And I'd forgotten how good Santa Fe Junction is! And GREAT TO SEE A CLIP FROM LA PLATA including No. 50 Minnesota Commercial! It's all good, so I'll be commenting c. 48 hours from now! Hopefully....

[@davidcrook5511]

Oh yes! I liked the Wacky Races from Fort Madison!!! Maintenance machines I presume following each other with the film speeded up! Didn't see Muttley though 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bhrailroadhistory1509]

conrail is awesome!

[@coconutmall333]

I’m glad that Amtrak Train (Number). 151 slowly stop at the station while they tried to towed the stalled car off the tracks. My argument is that the line was partially owned by CSX. They should put fences or walls between the road and the rails. So that cars don’t drive onto to them. Then it would be efficient and safely avoided a predicament. Yikes for me.

[@kwtvideovault_1]

CSX owns the entire width *between* the rails; any impediment there precludes their use for the widest loads that the rails can accommodate (with two trains, of course). I'm sure that, prior to VR's cameras being here, people have done this at this location for decades. We just get the opportunity to watch the issues happen. Lucky for us. ;)

[@bethdudley8563]

Have mercy. How do you turn onto railroad tracks?

[@joelcheek3494]

Curious: Why do they put those empty buffer cars between the engine/caboose and the Schnabel cars?

[@John-cg8hb]

I believe for extra braking power

[@joelcheek3494]

@@John-cg8hb ah! That makes perfect sense!

[@thomream1888]

It's more for crash separation than braking. You'll also notice that any train carrying HazMat materials (Oil Cans, etc) will have a "spacer" car between the loads and live human beings (loco engineers). In the event of an accident the HazMat will not be right on top of the occupied locomotive. At least that's the hope.

[@bethdudley8563]

“Squirrel!”

[@M_Miles]

Im here early. Nice video

[@FUGP72]

At some point, they have to realize that that intersection with a railroad crossing is not as straightforward as they thought. Especially with it being pitch black darkness. Better to spend a little to put some proper lighting (which should be standard at any railroad crossing on a busy street anyway)

[@bowlinerailfan]

What was the locomotive behind the CSX unit at 7:22? I initially thought it was a locomotive being transported to a foreign country as it looked similar to such units, but if it's from a Minnesota company, I'm not sure what it. If anyone knows what it is, I would appreciate the info. Thank you in advance.

[@brandoncarstensen1637]

SF30C model, former Minnesota commercial. Headed to Arizona for preservation for my understanding.

[@renegadetenor]

Looks like a U30C, GE's contemporary to EMDs SD40-2...rare catch these days!

[@MichaelMitchRailfan2009]

How many there had been a car on track in Ashland?

[@whammy3323]

Well I guess the tow truck company(ies) are kept in business in Ashland and La Grange... you'd think they would be able to put up some miniature barrier between the tracks so cars can't turn onto the tracks...

[@alanwbelcher]

No Darwin Award for the squirrel?

[@nate4745]

1:26. ZUMER. What is that?

[@randydobson1863]

hello Virtual Railfan & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks Virtual Railfan Friends Randy

[@stephenhudson8739]

Chattanooga camera lens is dirty has a big spot on it

[@kensbackshop6399]

At 21:40 a real live tree rat,,,,,lol

[@Railfan513]

Gezz people need to be wayyyyyy more careful around trains and railroad crossings

[@BruceMielke-h1b]

So I'm wondering if the people are using a step by step navigation in their SUVs, and when it says turn, they turn right when it says. When in reality it says turn in, suppose a few feet or yards. Perhaps there are a few navigation systems that have gone rogue and are deliberately causing these situations. 😂

[@milwaukeeroadjim9253]

What is it with these people. I've never driven onto railroad tracks. EVER!

[@johnhorton260]

Ashland - that guy should lose his license, should not be driving! He had No clue where he was.

[@brucestambaugh]

There is a simple solution to the "cars on the tracks" issue @ Ashland. Whose responsibility is it, the city's or the RR's, to fix it?

[@jmtpubs]

City, county and state, so lots of bureaucracy and buck-passing.

[@MMID303]

How do they keep doing that?

[@richardbause2453]

Score card for ASHLAND gaining DARWIN AWARD traction: 4 so far😮or is it 5🤔🤔😲.

[@ELOfanatic]

I don't understand why they have so many of those shipping containers as singles. Wouldn't it be more economic to double stack them?

[@thomasharrington5369]

Top containers have been dropped off at various terminals along the way to final destination.

[@stephenhudson8739]

That looked like an alco RS2 at fort madison, Is correct ?

[@stephenhudson8739]

Was that an S2 at Fort Madison

[@thesegacampgamerandwerecam7504]

12:09 will anyone learn WILL AT LEAST 1 PERSON TO LEARN NOT TO GO ON THE TRACKS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[@jackiepersing-hy3lo]

Why hasn’t the city figured out how to prevent this?

[@John-cg8hb]

The city isn't the problem. It's the waterhead behind the wheel.

[@bryanballew3300]

22:02 is a empty SweetBran train symbol DHTEDY

[@stephenhudson8739]

Must have been following his g.P.S or google maps

[@John-cg8hb]

That's no excuse, looking out the windshield and using common sense is still required.

[@nate4745]

Ashland claims another victim. The driver pays a fine. The insurance pays the tow, if covered, and damage to the steering linkage, oil pan, transmission, exhaust and fuel tank, minus the $5000 deductible, of course.

[@randomtransitadventures]

explain

[@pauludulutch4353]

God I hope that fool was DUI and got a ticket and a nite in jail.