A Late January Trip

I know that I mentioned that it was outside of the excursion season. The main reason for this is the sunlight fades to soon. Every chance to see some trains would be taken, however. An afternoon jaunt to just get away, resulted on an interesting train experience. I crossed the railroad tracks while traveling on route 74. There were freight cars on the siding but I chose not to investigate. On the return trip, I notice the possibility of an engine. I turned at the next road and saw the engine in the distance. All indication was that it was switching up ahead, but I had no means of getting to the siding (legally).

The engine wasn't moving at the time. Than the headlight began to blink and a single horn blast indicated that the engine was moving. It was moving forward. It crossed the road in front of me and since I was heading in that direction, I decided to chase the train down the line. I was at Wadesboro and heading toward Pee Dee, NC

Western and Atlantic RR, Sanford, NC

The weather was moderate so I took off to see the Western and Atlantic RR in Sanford, NC. I have been past Sanford and crossed over the W&A many times, but never watched. Between the CSX tracks and the A&W tracks was the old brick union station. Within the block there was the Railroad House, which, according to my research. what built for the Raleigh & Augusta Air-Line. It has been converted into a museum.


Most cities and towns have their railroad display, a caboose or engine. Sanford has his steam engine. I happened upon the history of this engine. It was  Built For Raleigh & Southport Railway Co. #10 at Raleigh, NC. In 1912, after consolidation, it was the Raleigh, Charlotte & Southern Railway Co. #10. After merger in 1914, it became Norfolk Southern Railway Co. #99 and in 1939 it was renumbered #203 In 1946 it was sold to Atlantic & Western Railway Co. and became #12 In 1966, donated to Railroad House Historical Association. (The Steam Project, steamlocomotive.info)
I arrived downtown and turned at the tracks to get myself oriented. There next to the parking lot that I choose was the W&A switcher. I heard an engine in the distance but what one, I did not know. I got pictures of 109. It was lunch time so they were taking a break.

I took time to trace the mainline, 11 miles of track. Upon my return, 109 was busy switching.

Trip via Hamlet

I. Hamlet: I know that I said that the last trip was the last of the season. The main reason is that, since the change from Daylight Savings time back to standard time, the daylight ends rather early. Besides, the cold is a problem. I had Thanksgiving and came back to work. It was a trying time so I needed a trip away. I had looked at a visit to the Pee Dee River Railroad and the North Carolina Central. I worked out my itenary for both. To make things more interesting, I would take a drive though Hamlet.

A railfan drive through Hamlet begins turning down, toward the station. A swing by the station was thwarted by a blocked RR crossing. NO it was not blocked by a train but by construction. I swung back uptown just above the Station. At that crossing I can see if anything was coming. As I approach the crossing the gates came down. I got video of the train crossing. I wanted to get ahead of it as it took the right swithch to go west. However, as would be our luck, two non railfains were turning ath the stop sign so I was slowed and did not get to the next crossing in time.

Even more Fallen Flags

From Clinchfield, LN, and SCL, along with others, comes the Family Lines System, which was short lived. Than the Seabord Systems. Finally Seaboard Systems and Chessie Systems merged and became CSX

Selma, NC, part 3

My train chase was not  very hard. I returned to the station to get myself into position for the train 89, the Palmetto southbound.

While waiting on the southbound Carolinian, I had some time and explored to see this Trackmobile.
I had time to bring myself into position for train 79, the Carolinian southbound. In the distance I heard the horn of the approaching train. To my surprise, it was not the Carolinian but a CSX southbound freight.

Finally, the Carolinian southbound.

Selma, NC, part 1

After all considerations, I decided to take in, Selma NC. Twice as many Amtrak trains was one draw. Besides, there is the CSX and NS interchange and crossing. I took my tripod so I could have both stills and video.

 I lost the video of the first trains. The problem came when I finalized the DVD. I did get picture, however. First was the northbound 80, The Carolinian, led by 52 and 95, running an hour late.

After a bite of lunch I arrive to a southbound, CSX freight, but being out of position, I got no pictures. However, I was in position for the northbound no. 90, the Palmetto. The northbound, pulls out of Selma, NC, led by 180