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 monthly inspection. For certain, the wash jobs got bypassed from time to time, when a unit was needed for a train, but all in all they were kept pretty clean. Four of those clean units were powering southbound TOFC hotshot No. 175 at Taylorsville, VA on Nov. 19, 1977. The trailers with the red ends belonged to UPS and illustrates the importance of that traffic to RF&P.
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.
