1978 seemed to be the year that we got nailed with lots of ice storms. Manifest No. 176 was passing through Hunton, VA on Jan. 21, 1978 in a landscape where eveything is literally ice covered. I loved shooting after an ice storm. Granted, it was dangerous, but the reward was generally good. You had to shoot quick, because as soon as the sun came out, it all disappeared quite quickly. GP35s No's. 132 and 137 and bracketing SW1200 No. 83. Of the five SW1200s assigned to Acca Yard, three (81-83) were equipped with Flexicoil trucks and ATC for road service. It was relatively rare to see them on the road, but when the dispatcher needed a unit, and the yardmaster could spare it, they would make a round trip to Potomac yard. SW1500 No. 91 was likewise equipped but spent most of its time on the road. The dispatchers looked at it as a "half" unit when lining up power for trains.
i was born in virginia in 1972. when i think of railroads that shaped the commonwealth. i think of railroads like, SCL, N&W and southern. this is a tribute to those wonderful days gone by and for those who remember it well.
