RICHMOND FREDERICKSBURG & POTOMAC

RICHMOND FREDERICKSBURG & POTOMAC

This page will cover the former Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad. Operating solely in Virginia between Alexandria and Richmond. It was basically a double mainline carrying trains between the Pennsylvania and B & O railroads to the north and the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line to the south.

The blue and gray colors of the equipment reflect the north vs. south colors from the civil war. Always a major passenger train route, it still continues this today moving numerous Amtrak trains to and from Florida, Williamsburg, South Carolina and also sees the daily Auto-Train.

Potomac Yard was located at the north end of the railroad in Alexandria. Portions of the north end of the yard had overhead catenary wires for the Pennsylvania electric motors (GG-1's, etc.).

Overseeing things at Potomac Yard was this rather high yard tower. 1974 photo. Anyone still have one of those cars?

Six EMD SW1000 switchers replaced several older Alco switchers in the early 1970's.

68 in its early colors. Several had their cabs and engines removed and were converted into slugs to work with the new SW1000's. They were giver letters instead of numbers.

The mainstay of the R,F & P diesel fleet from the latter 1960's until the CSX takeover were several GP-40's and GP-35's. They were all delivered without dynamic brakes and all (?) were set up for dual control. As a rule, the odd numbered units pointed south and the even units north.

GP40 127 and GP7 101 on a dreary December day in 1975.

On a brighter day, some more images at the Pot Yard terminal.

South of the yard was the passenger depot for Alexandria. Of particular note in this photo are the banners wrapped around each post. There are two for Amtrak, one red and one blue. The green ones are for the Southern Railway which opted not to join Amtrak at the beginning and continued to operate their owns trains for a few years.

SDP40F 631 makes a station stop with a train from Florida.

GP40 133 brings a southbound piggy-back train around the depot tracks.

The Auto-Train began as a private venture and the equipment included many former Sante Fe cars and the trains were powered by GE U36B units painted in rather gaudy colors. In the mid-1970's, this color scheme was OK for its time. Yes, the trucks are purple!

This sharp looking Alco switcher served the Lorton, VA terminal.

A few miles short of its terminus, the northbound Auto-Train zips through Woodbridge, VA.

Crossing the River at Woodbridge.

After the Auto-Train cleared the main, a southbound RF&P freight rolls over the huge bridge. Of all the things in the third photo, I wonder what still remains today.

GE P30CH 711, commonly referred to as a "Pooch", leads the southbound 'Palmetto' crossing the famous bridge at Neabsco Creek.

If you want to shoot trains crossing the bridge, do not venture far. Trains move along quickly here and you can wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Having taken this mediocre shot from track level, I was told over and over again by the other guys in our group how great the shot was from the boat docks. Yeh, Yeh, Yeh, just rub it in.

In the last light of the day, the southbound Auto-Train crosses the bridge.

A CSX trash train climbing the hill near Stafford, VA. 7-22-95

SDP40F 603 brings the Silver Star north through Quantico, 12-4-76.

Fredericksburg, VA

141 leads a southbound on 3-27-77.

Passing the old tower at Fredericksburg in 1975. Gary Madden photo.

123 sits in the yard at Fredericksburg. 1975 photo by Gary Madden.

Amtrak F40 259 passing through Milford in 1995. Tower is visible in the second image.

A view looking northward at Doswell. This is a favorite location for several reasons. The station, the tower, the C&O crossing and the numerous trains of the RF&P. Today a shortline called the Buckingham Valley operates the former C&O west from here. Photo 3-27-77.

Here, 122 leads a northbound manifest freight at Doswell.

Shortly thereafter, 135 is southbound. Note the old platform lampposts still standing. 1977

A later visit in August 1977 has 136 northbound. The new welded rail is now in place.

The infamous 'Pork Barrel' express flies thru town. This was the 'Hilltopper' from Washington to Williamson, WV.

Following the CSX takeover, most RF&P units continued to lead trains due to their unique cab signal system. 6859 southbound in 1995.

Despite its popularity among fans, this is my only shot of a train in Ashland, VA. The middle of the road track arrangement makes this a good location. Train speeds are 35 mph here. 1995 photo.