Railroading, as we all know, isn't always conducted in ideal conditions. The fog was thick as northbound Amtrak No. 174, the "Colonial," sped through Elmont, VA on the morning of Jan. 7, 1978. I... (more)

Southbound RF&P manifest No. 109, led by GP40 No. 123, was being overtaken by Amtrak No. 89, the "Palmetto," led by P30CH No. 714, at Franconia, VA on Nov. 27, 1977.

As a rule, RF&P tried pretty hard to keep its power clean, especially during the 1970's and 1980's. They didn't have a wash rack and washing was done with a scrub brush when the unit was in for m... (more)

At less than 1%, as far as railroad grades are concerned, RF&P's Rutherglen Hill was pretty lame. That said, it could still take the wind out of the sails of a freight train as is passed over the... (more)

Southbound RF&P No. 105 was passing through Elmont, VA on April 13, 1977, the first day of an experimental pool power arrangement with Conrail. If I recall correctly, RF&P tried it in order to ge... (more)

Amtrak P30CHs showed up rather quickly on the RF&P, on the "short haul" trains equipped with Amfleet cars. They stayed for several years and were sent elsewhere, to be replaced by F40PHs. After ... (more)

There is a bit of the past and the future in this photograph. In the background is the boom of RF&P Acca wreck derrick No. 1 working to clear a derailment at Brooke, VA on Sept. 25, 1976. Wreck ... (more)

Some people may remember yellow and white dots on freight cars, applied in the late 1970's, to identify whether or not the car had a certain type of wheel suspected of causing derailments. Specif... (more)

On the evening of Sept. 24, 1976, as RF&P manifest No. 110 worked its way north, a wheel began of disintegrate on a SCL boxcar. It began around Dahlgren Junction (MP 61.1) and by the time the car... (more)

It didn't take long for Auto Train's fleet of U36Bs to look tired. White is simply not an ideal color for a locomotive pilot. Southbound No. 3 was departing Auto Train's northern terminus at Lor... (more)

TOFC business on the RF&P really started to mushroom in the early 1970s, much in part because of UPS. The piggyback ramp at Potomac Yard became increasingly important, with most of the southbound... (more)

Southern Railway was part owner of RF&P, and when their steam train needed to be ferried between Alexandria and Richmond, they used the RF&P. On a typically steamy July 28, 1973, Southern 2-8-2 N... (more)

Southbound Amtrak No. 81, the "Silver Star," had already made its stop at Broad Street Station, exited the loop, and was running north on the RF&P before heading back south on the SCL at South AY ... (more)

Southbound Amtrak No. 81, the "Silver Star," was exiting the long sweeping curve at Penola, VA in Sept., 1973, led by E8A No. 241. Penola was once a bustling little community, with industries bas... (more)

Southbound RF&P manifest No. 227 was slowing to enter Acca Yard on Jan. 8, 1972 with a dogs breakfast of motive power. GP7 No. 103 leads E8As No's. 1001 and 1008, and GP40 No. 122.