Railfanning CSX RF&P Subdivision from Fredericksburg area to Ashland, Va. 5/16/24

We start the day early catching most of the VRE fleet of am rush hour trains with their unique C5A-CWP horns plus Amtrak and CSX action including the northbound Auto Train at the Mine Road crossing in Massaponax south of Fredericksburg. Next we visit the Stonewall Jackson Death Site near the appropriately named Stonewall Jackson Rd. railroad crossing. Here we catch a few Amtrak and CSX trains. Next we head to Doswell where the old RF&P and C&O mains crossed now CSX and regional Buckingham Branch RR. We see a few more CSX and Amtrak trains and have the pleasure of observing a Buckingham Branch GP40 switching the yard here. It’s a more than welcome break from the endless GEVO parade on CSX. Lastly, we visit the lovely town of Ashland and capture the charm of this community. CSX and Amtrak put on a good show here including a CSX local with a special Geep in the lashup plus the Auto Train. Great trackside dining was enjoyed here as well. We conclude with bonus action of Amtrak and Marc trains at Aberdeen, Maryland station.

[@billclements3879]

That was a cool video, thank you for sharing

[@njtrailfan4106]

Awesome catches keep up the great work.

[@BilltheHiker]

Tim, what a great show. You’re my favorite rail fan channel on KZbin. I live a few miles from Ashland, and you were sitting in one of my favorite train watching spots. I have family in the Philadelphia and New York City areas and your videos bring back a lot of memories! Thanks for what you do.

[@3985uprr]

Wow, thanks!

[@bossf51]

I rode the 125 from Springfield to Washington, DC. Nice one-seat ride that was pretty much packed at least through DC.

[@ariesarethebest271]

Wonderful footage, Tim. Love the sound of them EMD locos. You're the best railfan channel on the Tube!

[@loocpoc]

Back in 2004, I took the Auto train and remember having a Dash 8 Pepsi can leading 2 P40's. Great ride to Florida

[@EasternNJRailfanner]

Ashland is the more busy version of Ramsey! Love the amount of trains there is.

[@Nurvington]

Nice action on the line! Great video!

[@raycooney7632]

What a fun show. By the way, when in Ashland one should dine at the Iron Horse and stay at the Henry Clay Inn.

[@Jaytherailfan]

Nice action! Maybe you should visit Ashland Train day someday, Lots of railfans, activities and plenty of action

[@duguid82]

Very nice Sir. You should make a trip over to Manassas and railfan NS Washington Div and B Line to Front Royal. Lots of local and intermodal traffic.

[@nolantherailfan5048]

I saw 196 the other day on train 20 and I chased it all the way from Ellisville Mississippi to Tuscolusa Alabama 8:25

[@ariesarethebest271]

32:21 Wish I knew a head of time that you'd be in Ashland, I would have watched the VRF cam to see you. Lol

[@nathanjiang100]

I'll be passing through here in a few weeks heading down to Florida. Taking the 97 with a bus on the way down and the 92 back. believe it or not, the Meteor with a bus connection to Tampa is still faster than a one-seat ride on the Stupid Star! hoping for Chargers on at least one of the legs.

[@3985uprr]

The Stupid Star, yes. 2 summers ago they cut the Meteor which was faster and instead they had the Stupid Clunking Star.

[@nathanjiang100]

@@3985uprr I remember those, the 12-car trains were fun to catch though.

[@JohnFromArlingtron]

If you lived in Ashland you'd be a regular there I bet.

[@3985uprr]

Probably. It’s a great place to take a walk and a great place to eat.

[@ariesarethebest271]

51:14 there is a documentary video here on KZbin about the auto train's beginning. Check it out if you haven't already seen it.

[@qwertyeet]

When you were in the first area where’d you park your car

[@3985uprr]

There was some gravel area off the road past the crossing. I noticed another fan there also. It’s a good spot. The only thing I didn’t like was there’s too much traffic on the road next to you.

[@qwertyeet]

@@3985uprr whoa, you’re allowed to do that?! I thought thought you’d get in trouble for parking on the gravel

[@carltonkeys6205]

Go to Moravian university in Lehigh Valley

[@MatthewSmith-cv7op]

I prefer Gettysburg to Gods and Generals. The latter is too long and very over the top. Trivia: His arm is buried elsewhere.

[@rodhard688]

Too much "treble" in those horns!