Southern's Train 8, 1972, PART 1, Photo2 of 2
Yes, that is Southern Railway's northbound Train 8 on March 13, 1972 in the rolling Piedmont Virginia country side near Orange, VA. Note the the FP7A and coach between the Geeps and the pigs in Picture 1.
Remember the Southern Railway decided not to join Amtrak and instead to continue to run its then existing passenger trains. And they found a way to minimize cost. Stick the Piedmont in an intermodal train to make a super intermodal (highway trailers and passengers on rail).
Just short of Alexandria the Geeps would cut off and free the FP7A and coach to make an Alexandria station stop then head for Washington Union Station. The reverse move took place with the southbound Train 8 (once called the Birmingham Special).
The first two diesels are high-hood GP30s 2580 and 2613. The train was summed up with bay window caboose X756.
Southern's Train 8, 1972, PART 1, Photo2 of 2
Yes, that is Southern Railway's northbound Train 8 on March 13, 1972 in the rolling Piedmont Virginia country side near Orange, VA. Note the the FP7A and coach between the Geeps and the pigs in Picture 1.
Remember the Southern Railway decided not to join Amtrak and instead to continue to run its then existing passenger trains. And they found a way to minimize cost. Stick the Piedmont in an intermodal train to make a super intermodal (highway trailers and passengers on rail).
Just short of Alexandria the Geeps would cut off and free the FP7A and coach to make an Alexandria station stop then head for Washington Union Station. The reverse move took place with the southbound Train 8 (once called the Birmingham Special).
The first two diesels are high-hood GP30s 2580 and 2613. The train was summed up with bay window caboose X756.