While up in Virginia visiting my parents leading up to Christmas, I decided to make a quick trip out to check out the action on Norfolk Southern's nearby Blue Ridge District. I grew up by this district and spent many a day during my teen years watching the many trains that passed over it.
My first stop was Abilene, VA (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Abilene,+VA&sll=37.187653,-78.201386&sspn=0.020479,0.045447&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Abilene,+Charlotte,+Virginia&z=15). Much to my disappointment, the former Norfolk & Western signals were no longer there. Apparently during the year I was in the desert they were replaced with modern signals. I knew it was only a matter of time, but I was still sad to see them go none the less. Here is a shot of how this spot used to look.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_7_zupSmYDBw%2FTRD0Wo3L19I%2FAAAAAAAAASk%2FkOXDvdT6swY%2Fs1600%2Fwb-abiline_21oct06-2.jpg&hash=8d9024e72c54615f032a1d4e70ad51c0d9547394)
How Abilene Junction looks now.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_7_zupSmYDBw%2FTRD0W3hI7fI%2FAAAAAAAAASs%2FJMql1urLZFo%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2646.JPG&hash=0bc47dcb9909b3f0949aadfa73f1b0ef71ef40dd)
NS 820, led by former Conrail Dash-8 #8465 splits the signals at Abilene heading east towards the yard at Crewe and ultimately the coal docks at Norfolk.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_7_zupSmYDBw%2FTRD0XQSYqcI%2FAAAAAAAAAS0%2Fj9crYBvJti0%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2649.JPG&hash=0495febfb670f548665709cdc3c85be4845aadc6)
820 catches some shade as it heads through Green Bay, VA (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Green+Bay,+VA&sll=37.141539,-78.544163&sspn=0.020492,0.045447&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Green+Bay,+Prince+Edward,+Virginia&z=15).
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_7_zupSmYDBw%2FTRD0YB0xEPI%2FAAAAAAAAAS8%2FlxAW3Jj_VBg%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2657.JPG&hash=63b2e64ddf59a4241a0f9faafadc36f3e321a90d)
Shortly after following 820 to Burkeville (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Burkeville,+VA&sll=37.133764,-78.314718&sspn=0.020494,0.045447&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Burkeville,+Nottoway,+Virginia&z=15), I caught NS V08 (Crewe-Richmond local) coming off the Richmond Air Line led by former Conrail SD40-2 #3423.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_7_zupSmYDBw%2FTRD0YmK9HwI%2FAAAAAAAAATE%2Fc0uVaZkeYdo%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2669.JPG&hash=24b1b35f79472c0a05dfef4443e1303edf7be852)
A more "roster" type shot of 3423.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_7_zupSmYDBw%2FTRD4sbzAlmI%2FAAAAAAAAATU%2FEoOLk3mpvdY%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2672.JPG&hash=df61ccaaba93b212a31bcb79b38c9797946cde33)
V08's caboose as the train backs up towards the yard at Crewe. The conductor was operating a very neat sounding whistle as the train would approach the grade crossings.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_7_zupSmYDBw%2FTRD3oyRibLI%2FAAAAAAAAATM%2FpA34xJSXDxI%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2675.JPG&hash=722d8984ad555e33cb6f210f3b27a23116e189b6)
Thanks for looking!
good to see some NS stuff from you! That has to be the saddest looking caboose I have ever seen...poor thing needs to be put down..
Thanks E.M. Not my best stuff technical wise since I managed to get a cold as an early Christmast present.
An caboose actually being put to work. I would take it, ugly or not. That's a great catch.
Steve