The CSX GP40’s that were equipped had a stencil on the sides of the can that read “Equipped with RF&P train control”. Also at RO was a high car detector for the Virginia Ave tunnel. The trash containers used to set it off if the tarps on the top of them were loose. I was at SRO watching a northbound go by when I noticed a couple of autoracks that set it off. They were added to the train at Rocky Mount by mistake and had to be set off on the industrial siding.
If I saw CP 673, I would probably just jump and yell "GHOST!!!". I also couldn't help but notice that the Amtrak straight after it had F40PH 313 at the front, which of course was one number away from the infamous 312. Seeing as this footage apparently predates the Big Bayou Canot crash, it's possible that 312 (or 262) could have been there! But it was too early for 819 to have appeared, though.
Not sure I don’t live up there any more. I would be surprised if it is still there. It was a high car detector and with the new tunnels that allow double stacks I’m not sure it would be needed.
There are some things going on here that I can explain. The early scene with the trash train easing into Track #1 from South RO (RO stands for Rosslyn, BTW, an industrial track that went up that way used to come off here) and then departing with extra power was because the original leading #76xx unit was not equipped with cab signals for the RF&P. Early on in the CSX takeover, there was only a small group of units cab signal qualified for the RF&P, and that is reflected in your video. Obviously, ex-RF&P Geeps were, as well as a group of GE Dash7's and some Chessie GP40's. And that was it until the Conrail split, when most of the ex-CR SD60I's and M's which had CR cab signals were modified for the RF&P (software addition). The stuff at CP RO (where the RF&P used to officially begin/end) shows the old CSX "camera shot" equipment reader, which took actual video of each car for ID purposes as it passed, and would also show any people on that side of the train as well. It was replaced with more reliable AEI microwave tag readers in the early 2000's. The scenes where trains are going through there very slowly are probably for slow orders, since timetable speed for RO is 25 mph. At the Auto Train facility in Lorton, that operation was one of the first on Amtrak to receive new GE P40's. What you taped with the train stopping on the main was it starting to depart Lorton and stopping to have the last block of auto carriers attached to the rear, get it's final air test and EOT attached and armed. Since then the A-T siding has been extended so the train can be completely assembled and disassembled off the main. Somebody asked about female crew members. I don't think there were any female CSX T&E employees in that area in 1993. Amtrak had at least two or three female engineers who went South of DC in that era, one went to VRE early on, and one became an Amtrak Road Foreman. Great trip down memory lane, BTW.
Thanks for all the RF&P memories! Born and raised in the Fredericksburg Region.
Man, those P40s were so new and clean!
The CSX GP40’s that were equipped had a stencil on the sides of the can that read “Equipped with RF&P train control”. Also at RO was a high car detector for the Virginia Ave tunnel. The trash containers used to set it off if the tarps on the top of them were loose. I was at SRO watching a northbound go by when I noticed a couple of autoracks that set it off. They were added to the train at Rocky Mount by mistake and had to be set off on the industrial siding.
One like equals one prayer for the Chessie System, B&O, C&O, Seaboard Coast Line/Seaboard System.
at 6:30 that train had 18 cars it must have been the silver meteor ???
Yes, it was 81/91 (split at Jacksonville)
If I saw CP 673, I would probably just jump and yell "GHOST!!!".
I also couldn't help but notice that the Amtrak straight after it had F40PH 313 at the front, which of course was one number away from the infamous 312. Seeing as this footage apparently predates the Big Bayou Canot crash, it's possible that 312 (or 262) could have been there! But it was too early for 819 to have appeared, though.
Superbaddy4 what are you talking about?
@@NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast All I know is that 819 was on the sunset limited on its way to be delivered to the Auto Train
Wow, hard to believe that thing has survived!
Is Pot Yard Detector still there or is it long gone?
Not sure I don’t live up there any more. I would be surprised if it is still there. It was a high car detector and with the new tunnels that allow double stacks I’m not sure it would be needed.
@@GIMRRC which frequency did it uses way back when? 161.100?
Bigmindcreator TenurSaxomophone that was the Conrail frequency.
There are some things going on here that I can explain. The early scene with the trash train easing into Track #1 from South RO (RO stands for Rosslyn, BTW, an industrial track that went up that way used to come off here) and then departing with extra power was because the original leading #76xx unit was not equipped with cab signals for the RF&P. Early on in the CSX takeover, there was only a small group of units cab signal qualified for the RF&P, and that is reflected in your video. Obviously, ex-RF&P Geeps were, as well as a group of GE Dash7's and some Chessie GP40's. And that was it until the Conrail split, when most of the ex-CR SD60I's and M's which had CR cab signals were modified for the RF&P (software addition).
The stuff at CP RO (where the RF&P used to officially begin/end) shows the old CSX "camera shot" equipment reader, which took actual video of each car for ID purposes as it passed, and would also show any people on that side of the train as well. It was replaced with more reliable AEI microwave tag readers in the early 2000's. The scenes where trains are going through there very slowly are probably for slow orders, since timetable speed for RO is 25 mph.
At the Auto Train facility in Lorton, that operation was one of the first on Amtrak to receive new GE P40's. What you taped with the train stopping on the main was it starting to depart Lorton and stopping to have the last block of auto carriers attached to the rear, get it's final air test and EOT attached and armed. Since then the A-T siding has been extended so the train can be completely assembled and disassembled off the main.
Somebody asked about female crew members. I don't think there were any female CSX T&E employees in that area in 1993. Amtrak had at least two or three female engineers who went South of DC in that era, one went to VRE early on, and one became an Amtrak Road Foreman.
Great trip down memory lane, BTW.
Gosh, RO looks different now. More publicly accessible, at least.
CSX paint scheme is rather blaah compared to RF&P scheme.
HA! That cctv camera used for car identification is still standing at RO today! 12:56
that a lady on the 6855
I absolutely Love the opening logo(004). Can i order 2 XXL grey polo's? .I was a trainman on the SCL .SCL Trainman ID# 175866.