Day Two, Doswell, VA

Day two began with a drive to Doswell, VA, the crossing of the C&O and  the RF&P.

 

The C&O after a series of mergers becomes a part of CSX. RF&P likewise became part of CSX. today the old C&O is operated as the Buckingham Branch.

First across the diamond is Amtrak 194 Northeast Regional, 165 leading, northbound December 31, 2012. You can hear the train cross the diamond. Next crossing the diamond is Amtrak 89 Palmetto, 48 leading, southbound. Back to Hermitage Rd. after a quick run by the Staples Mill Train Station.  First to the crossing was Amtrak 92 Silver Star, 1 leading, northbound. Followed by two northbound CSX freights: CSX 5388, leading northbound freight and CSX 5216 leading northbound freight.

Day 1 in Richmond VA

I was to arrive on Saturday evening, check in, and just relax. Sunday morning but worship at the church I went to well living in Richmond what in 20 years ago. Church was earlier so I had a fair amount of time left in the day. I was planning to visit with friends, but they were not available, during my visit. So, I went train watching. There has been many locations, where I have watched, over the years. On the north side of town, along the old Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac main line, there is the mountain road crossing. It's a nice crossing but parking becomes a problem. I chose the Hermitage road crossing, it is within sight off the Staples Mill Amtrak Station with a long view in both directions.

First across the crossing is CSX 5431 Leading a northbound freight. This was soon followed by Amtrak 92, Silver Star, northbound, Led by 89. This was followed by CSX 5425 Leading Southbound freight, Amtrak 80, Carolinian, Northbound, Led by 59, and Amtrak 79, Carolinian, Southbound, Led by 66 a Heritage Unit. All this after lunch and before supper.

I spent the evening working with the video and goofing off.

Ready to Travel Again

It has been four months since my last entry. And two months since my last trip. I have been watching trains, which can  be seen on YouTube at my channel  gcm100x. No real itinerary as each trip was a simple out and back, within my normal circuit.

Now for Christmas. This was planned to begin with family visits while the travelogue will not begin until after. My plan was to go to Richmond, VA and then on to Norfolk. Richmond may have a side trip to Doswell and the Buckingham branch and Norfolk to see the Tide, the new light rail. I might get to see the new Norfolk bound Amtrak, more likely around Suffolk.

As always, the trip was flexible plans and to see where see things would go from there.

As always I did a plan. This was to be only speculation, to see if I could do what I wanted to do.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Over all, this was a good trip. The side trip for train watching was worth it. Splitting the watching made the trip more comfortable, in its own way. I did miss one chance to watch trains that was on the original schedule, the Staten Island Railroad. I chose to go to Trenton, instead.

I got back and took care of videos and pictures and begin to plan the next trips. I took on day trip, recently and the result are on my YouTube Channel, at gcm100x. So where do I go from here. In two trips I took in a lot of the NEC. I would love to go back to see the SIR. Than there is the Metro-North to take in as well. It has both diesels and electrics to take in. As I looked at the possibilities, I concluded that the best way to go would be to fly to JFK, rent a car and than take in the train watching, including the Hudson Line as well as the New Haven line, and the SIR. The SIR is more difficult to get to, particular by public transportation, Driving from either Newark or JFK, would be easier and quicker.

Now to look at future trips. Maybe next time I fly to a good starting point. One form is to fly to JFK, rent a car. From there take in the Staten Island Ferry, zip up to the Hudson River route of the Metro North and over to the New Haven Line. I am also looking at other railroad destinations, such as monorails in parks. I revised my Philadelphia  and Baltimore out and backs. It would be late fall or spring before my next trip is taken.

Day 7, part 3

I returned to Penn Station, Newark. I goal, now, was to look and the Newark Light Rail. I found my way to the station, which, at this point is underground. On my way into the station, noticed old signs saying "Subway" and this interensting art work:

I boarded the light rail, which, at this point, in underground. I rode the train until it emerged from underground and took this video:

Day 7, part 2

There was more at Trenton. There is the southern terminus of the Trenton Line of the NJT, even though the Atlantic City trains run further south along with the River Line which runs to Camden (with short connection into Philadelphia. I took enough video of NJT at Harrison and Newark, so it is not disappointing that I got only one NJT train,  on the point waiting for service.

NJT 6041 on the line
SEPTA, Pennslyvania Commuter Rail, terminates it's Trenton Line, in Trenton. The bonus of this trip is getting video of three Silverliners:

SEPTA 9720, Silverliner, Southbound
SEPTA 746, Silverliner, Southbound

SEPTA 9737, Silverliner, Northbound

Now for the trip back to Newark. I will put the last stops in the next entry.

Day 7, part 1

My day, as planned, included a trip to Trenton. My railfan intent was the New Jersey Transit River Line between Trenton and Camden, across the river from Philadelphia. I took the New Jersey Transit Trenton Line to Camden. Even before I had time to orient myself, across the platform, came Amtrak 172.


Before moving on, I took a breakfast break. It just so happens, or otherwise planned, there is a McDonalds in the station at Trenton, and has window overlooking both the tracks of Amtrak and the Light Rail Station. Afterward, I went to ride the River Line to just down the road to Roebling, NJ. This is a good spot for run-by's.

Returning to Trenton. I spent some time watching trains. There is, of course, Amtrak:

Amtrak 84, Northeast Regional, Northbound, 946 leading
Amtrak 93, Southeastern Regional, Southbound, 938 leading
Amtrak 174, Northeast Regional, Northbound, 939 leading
NJT 6041 on the line, Trenton, NJ, July 17, 2012
Amtrak 176, Northeast Regional, Northbound, 654 leading
Amtrak 647, Pennsylvanian, Southbound
Amtrak 2166, Acela Express, Northbound

However there is much more, and that will come in the next entry.