On a bleak January day in 1975, Southern's southbound No. 7, the "Lynchburg Special," makes a station stop at Monroe, VA with FP7 No. 6146. At this time, No. 7 was normally a mixed train between Alexandria and Monroe, with four GP units ahead of the FP7 and coach, and 15-25 cars of TOFC behind. Today, for some reason, the train operated without the Geeps and TOFC, but the train did get a caboose at Alexandria. It was always a pleasure to ride this train, standing on the rear vestibule watching a TOFC train trail out behind you. The crews were not required to wear passenger uniforms, and more often than not, bib overalls were the order for the day.
A colorful and diverse group of railroads operated passenger trains in the South that ranged from speedy limiteds like the Panama Limited and Silver Meteor to regional and branchline services.
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.
