Excursion Trips on the
Piedmont Subdivision

This photo, from June of 1953, is one of my all-time favorite eBay purchases. There’s just so much to like about this shot. First, it shows the platform that once ran along the leg of the wye connecting the Piedmont and Washington Subs. It’s also the only color image that I’ve ever seen of the wooden water tank. Oh, and who could ignore streamlined Hudson number 490? In the distance you can see one of the water columns and, beyond that, a couple of MOW sheds. It’s also obvious that the entrance to the station area from what is now Depot Street didn’t exist in 1953, but that there was parking inside the wye. Does anyone know where the access point was located? (Photographer unknown. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily.)

C&O E8 4025 is only about a year and a half old in this June, 1953 photo. When I first posted this photo, I couldn’t figure out what train this would be. It’s clearly on the track connecting the Piedmont and Washington Sub legs of the wye, which would suggest that the train is on its way to Washington from Richmond, but my April, 1953 passenger timetable doesn’t show a train on that route. I finally made the connection between this photo and the one above: this must be part of the excursion trip. (Photographer unknown. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily.)

In this shot, the train is stopped on the track connecting the Piedmont and Washington Sub legs of the wye. Note the train order semaphore. (Photo by Doug C. Jones. From a negative in the collection of Larry Z. Daily.)

In this shot the train is on the Washington Sub leg of the wye. Doug was obviously standing on the stairs for G cabin. Note the wooden water tank in the background. (Photo by Doug C. Jones. From a negative in the collection of Larry Z. Daily.)

Another shot of the train from the stairs of G cabin. That’s Magnolia House (see below) on the right. (Photo by Doug C. Jones. From a negative in the collection of Larry Z. Daily.)

C&O F-11 4-6-0 number 377 was part of a group of engines built in 1902-1904 for the CC&L by Baldwin. The C&O aquired 377 though merger. She was retired in 1952, but saved from the scapper’s torch to serve as a historical exhibit. 377 is seen here in Charlottesville on June 7, 1953. I’ never seen a reference to 377 being part of the NRHS trip, but I can’t image another reason why it would have been in Charlottesville that day. I think the stairs and platform — which appear to be lined up with the cab — support that conclusion. (Photographer unknown. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily.)

This image (and the next two) were taken at the Hanover station site. (Photo by James C. Herold. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

Another shot of the special passing Hanover. (Photo by James C. Herold. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

A final shot of the special passing Hanover. (Photo by James C. Herold. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

In this shot, the train is just outside Mineral. This is possibly Pendleton. (Photo by James C. Herold. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

The slide frame simply said that this was near Louisa. I believe that it’s just west of town. (Photo by James C. Herold. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

In 1966, the Southern Steam Specials were headed up by 2-8-2 4501. This photo shows one of the trains in Charlottesville at the crossing of the C&O. The C&O tracks are in the foreground. In looking at the schedule for 1966, I believe this was the October 8 run from Washington to Roanoke; that was the only route that would have gone through Charlottesville.(Jack Spangler photo. Used with permission.)

Southern Railway 610 was a 2-10-4 originally built for the Texas and Pacific. It led the excursion run from Washington, DC to Charlottesville on Sunday, July 23, 1978. In this shot, the 610 is riding the turntable in Charlottesville. (July 23, 1978 photograph by William R. Michler. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

C&O GP9 6258 is lending a helping hand to Southern 610. (July 23, 1978 photograph by William R. Mischler. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

On September 3, 1979 the Southern Steam Special was powered by Canandian Pacific class H1c 4-6-4 number 2839. (D. R. McCulloch photo. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily).

The special ran from Alexandria to Charlottesville in conjunction with NRHS convention that was being held in Washington that year. (D. R. McCulloch photo. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily).

In 1980 and 1981, Chessie System ran a series of excursion trains to promote Operation Lifesaver. These trains were pulled by Chesapeake & Ohio 614, J-3a 4-8-4 Greenbrier. On September 30, 1980 the train ran from Brunswick, MD to Richmond via Gordonsville. I’m not certain, but I believe this is a photo of that train. The eBay seller identified the location as Brandy Station (which is on the Washington Subdivision) but that isn't written on the slide. The slide was processed in November of 1980, which is consistent with the September run; in October and November 614 was in West Virginia and Ohio. (Photograph by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

This shot shows 614 in Gordonsville. (Photographer unknown. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

This shot of the train was taken near Trevillian. (Photographer unknown. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

In July of 1982, ex-C&O 2-8-4 2716 powered several trips from Alexandria to Charlottesville. In this shot, C&O GP9 6238 is being used to assist 2716. (Norman Blackwood photo. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily).

Another shot of 6238 and 2716. (Norman Blackwood photo. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily).

GP9 6238 moves 2716 onto the turntable. (Norman Blackwood photo. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily).

The first photo I have was taken near Keswick. (February 3, 1985 photo by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

614T rounding the wye at Gordonsville. (February 3, 1985 photo by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

This shot was taken near Culpeper. (February 3, 1985 photo by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

The last two photos were taken near Remington. (February 3, 1985 photo by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

614T crossing a bridge near Remington. (February 3, 1985 photo by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

One of the main stars of the N&W Steam Program was 4-8-4 611. On June 1 and 2 of 1985, 611 headed up trains from Alexandria to Charlottesville. In this shot, the famous locomotive is taking a spin on the Charlottesville turntable. (Norman Blackwood photo. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily).

One of the locomotives owned by the Virginia Central was ex-Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 number 1286. In October of 1993, the Virginia Central ran trains from Charlottesville to Clifton Forge and on Sundays from Charlottesville to Gordonsville. This photo shows the run from Sunday, October 3, 1993. (Photograph by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

Another shot of the October 3, 1993 train. (Photograph by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)

The Viginia Central also owned ex-Western Maryland GP9 number 40. Sam Bone caught it parked on the Westvaco siding in Gordonsville in March of 1993. (Photograph by Sam Bone. From a slide in the collection of Larry Z. Daily)