[4K] Ashland Train Day Weekend 2024, Part I: Train Day Eve

Tempus fugit. It feels as if I blinked as Ashland Train Day 2023 drew to a close, and suddenly Train Day 2024 was upon us. The forecast for Train Day itself was a bit on the overcast side this year, but the prospects for sun the day before were (ahem) a lot brighter as I set out early and headed north.
0:00 - Jones Crossing - Northeast Regional 84
My original plan was to head up to City Dock Park in Fredericksburg for some shots of the bridge over the Rappahannock, but there was enough cloud cover that I changed plans and headed straight for Jones Crossing instead. Of course, right after I arrived the sun broke out anyhow. Go figure.
The clouds continued to march across the sky in the background as Amtrak kicked things off with Northeast Regional 84, led by P40 824.
1:29 - Amtrak 52, Auto Train
The next train was a surprise until I remembered it was leaving later in the morning now - the northbound Auto Train streaked past behind P40s 835 and 837.
2:42 - CSX M416
CSX got a word in edgewise as M416 rolled north behind ES44AH 3114, SD70MAC 4711, and GP38-2 2795.
6:07 - CSX L133
I am already familiar with local L134, but lesser known to me is its counterpart that frequently works Fredericksburg to Milford and back. GP38-2 2717 and GP40-2 4429 struggled north with an absolutely massive consist.
7:02 - Amtrak 89, Palmetto
Brilliant ALC-42 344 led Amtrak's Palmetto south under an equally-brilliant sky.
7:43 - Northeast Regional 94
With the vast majority of my RF&P Sub visits falling on a weekend, I am always reminding myself of the numbering change for some Amtraks on those few times I'm trackside on a weekday, like this one. Regionals like 94 don't rate an ALC-42 for power just yet, but the day is coming.
8:16 - CSX C750
Loaded coal drag C750 was surely doing every bit of the RF&P Sub speed limit for bulk mineral trains as it hustled through the crossing, led by ET44AH 3255, CM44AC 7234, and CW44AC 51 with ES44AH 707 and CW44AH 581 tucked in further back as the DPU. The latter half of the consist produced a considerable cloud of coal dust as it flew past. On the bright side, the free exfoliating facial scrub left my skin glowing all weekend. Or maybe that was because of all the sun.
11:16 - Amtrak 79, Carolinian
As Amtrak paint schemes go at the present time, there's no mistaking a yellow nose for anything else. P42 203 shows off its special livery commemorating the 50th anniversary of Operation Lifesaver as the Carolinian hurries south.
11:58 - CSX M409
Going like stink - M409 had trash loads on the head end as it rolled south behind ET44AH 3441 and AC4400CW 248.
14:58 - Amtrak 92, Silver Star
The engineer gave a generous horn salute as the Silver Star shot past behind P42 77 and ALC-42 323. The consist included a deadheading sleeper behind the locomotives.
15:39 - Northeast Regional 141
Another reminder that this wasn't my normal weekend railfanning - Springfield MA - Norfolk VA Northeast Regional 141, led by P42 81.
16:22 - Amtrak 80, Carolinian
I had intended to move south after the passage of I031, but it was a no-show. Instead, the northbound Carolinian wrapped up my time at Jones Crossing.
17:12 - Ashland - Northeast Regional 95
Railfans and clouds alike gathered in Ashland for the passage of Northeast Regional 95, led by P42 137. A statue of the famous racehorse 'Secretariat' was recently installed northeast of the England Street crossing.
18:19 - Amtrak 90, Palmetto
ALC-42 322 led the way for the northbound Palmetto.
19:03 - Amtrak 91, Silver Star
The sun broke through again as the elephant-style trio of ALC-42s 334 and 339 and P42 5 led Amtrak's southbound Silver Star through town.
19:47 - Northeast Regional 186
Another one for the 'Trains FFV Doesn't Normally See' file - Northeast Regional 186, led by P42 163.
21:23 - Northeast Regional 125
I was just a little slow on the draw as Northeast Regional 125 made its stop, led by P42 72.
22:46 - Amtrak 53, Auto Train
The platform crowd drew a horn salute from the engineer of the southbound Auto Train, led by P40s 837 and 835.
24:38 - CSX E750
My decision to break for dinner after the Auto Train passed was a costly one - no, not because the food was expensive, but because I031 and Northeast Regional 93 passed before the camera was set up again. Shortly after 9, the defect detector at milepost 8.1 warned of a monster making its way north:
'...no defects, no defects. Total axles eight two four.'
Empty coal drag E750 loomed out of the darkness a few minutes later, with ES40DC 5247, ES44AHs 901 and 3205, and ET44AH 3287 leading an even 200 hoppers.
28:10 - Northeast Regional 85
Last call - Northeast Regional 85 makes its stop 12 minutes later, led by P42 136.
29:54 - Amtrak 97, Silver Meteor
Okay, just one more. The southbound Silver Meteor followed 10 minutes later, with P42 77 and ALC-42 323 leading.
#railroad #railfan #trainspotting #train #ashland #virginia #travel

[@CoopsTrains]

nice video. glad to have met you while i was down there :)

[@FastFlyingVirginian]

Thanks, it was a pleasure meeting you. I'm glad I got out the day before Train Day like I did, in light of the underwhelming weather the day of.

[@ScottMichael82]

You catch locals like I do. 2 engines and one car.

[@FastFlyingVirginian]

L134 is usually a healthier consist, but every now and then the power runs light one direction.

[@MaYoRofSMACK]

How come the platform is so low, is this a common thing in the US? Seems really strange seeing the trains come passed with the doors halfway up in the air.

[@FastFlyingVirginian]

The platform is not that height for the entire length. On the station-side platform it ramps up north of the station, and on the opposite side the height change starts a little further south. On the raised sections the conductor doesn't need to use the step box.