Vicker Take 3
After shooting Amtrak departing town we headed out to Vicker Switch Road with the goal of shooting some morning eastbounds under the famous big concrete coaling tower which still stands straddling the former Norfolk and Western mainline. Due to a broken rail on Main 2 they were single tracking thru here so sent one train west then fleeted three eastbounds our way
Our third eastbound in 30 minutes was NS train 278, a Louisville to Norfolk intermodal that came off the Pulaski District from Bristol and points south at Walton just a couple miles behind them. This was the train of the day featuring a trio of GEs led 25 yr old BNSF 4445, a C44-9W still wearing its relatively decent looking as delivered H2 paint scheme.
They are approaching the Switchback Road grade crossing on Main 1 of modern day NS' Christianburg District at about MP N295.5 as they pass beneath the famous Vicker coal tower and parallel Crab Creek. This imposing structure was built in 1951 as a further example of the N&W's commitment to steam far longer than many other Class 1s. Alas it only served a short nine years before the last fire was dropped in May 1960. Prior to this being built there was a fascinating balloon loop trestle and loaded coal hoppers were spotted atop it to load coal directly from the railcar into the tender of a steam locomotive below. To learn more and see some truly fascinating photos check out this link:
nwhistory.info/locations/Vicker/index.php
Montgomery County, Virginia
Saturday March 30, 2024
Vicker Take 3
After shooting Amtrak departing town we headed out to Vicker Switch Road with the goal of shooting some morning eastbounds under the famous big concrete coaling tower which still stands straddling the former Norfolk and Western mainline. Due to a broken rail on Main 2 they were single tracking thru here so sent one train west then fleeted three eastbounds our way
Our third eastbound in 30 minutes was NS train 278, a Louisville to Norfolk intermodal that came off the Pulaski District from Bristol and points south at Walton just a couple miles behind them. This was the train of the day featuring a trio of GEs led 25 yr old BNSF 4445, a C44-9W still wearing its relatively decent looking as delivered H2 paint scheme.
They are approaching the Switchback Road grade crossing on Main 1 of modern day NS' Christianburg District at about MP N295.5 as they pass beneath the famous Vicker coal tower and parallel Crab Creek. This imposing structure was built in 1951 as a further example of the N&W's commitment to steam far longer than many other Class 1s. Alas it only served a short nine years before the last fire was dropped in May 1960. Prior to this being built there was a fascinating balloon loop trestle and loaded coal hoppers were spotted atop it to load coal directly from the railcar into the tender of a steam locomotive below. To learn more and see some truly fascinating photos check out this link:
nwhistory.info/locations/Vicker/index.php
Montgomery County, Virginia
Saturday March 30, 2024