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Rappahannock Railfan

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Rappahannock Railfan

I'm a railfan from the mountains of Virginia who enjoys watching trains go by and taking pictures and video of them!

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07/19/2026

Thunder in the Blue Ridge: on a gorgeous June morning, the two Buckingham Branch diesel locomotives take over as the first Virginia Scenic Railway Summer of Steam excursion of the day reenters Blue Ridge Tunnel with Zac McGinnis now being towed. This round of excursions on the Buckingham Branch Railroad between Staunton and the summit of the Blue Ridge mountains at Afton, just east of the tunnel offered the first time that 611 ran through a tunnel in a number of years.
When these excursions were announced, this was a shot that I knew I certainly wanted to get. After the shot of the train exiting the tunnel didn't turn out as I had hoped, I made some adjustments to get this shot. The hike to and from here was certainly worth it. Canon USA

07/12/2026

Big Boy on a big bridge: on a cloudy early July afternoon Union Pacific Railroad Big Boy 4014 slowly leads the railroad's transcontinental excursion across the historic Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River. There was a crowd of probably a couple thousand onlookers on both sides of the river to witness this historic event as the largest steam locomotive in the world crossed the longest stone arch bridge in the world.
Knowing that there would be a ton of people gathering to see this, my brother and I found our spot about six hours in advance. It was certainly the longest I've sat waiting for a train, but it was certainly worth it. Norfolk Southern Canon USA

07/05/2026

A 250th celebration: on a muggy early July morning CSX M408 (Waycross, Ga.-Cumberland, MD. daily manifest) rolls through Shenandoah Junction along the Cumberland Subdivision. It is led by CSX's units painted for the United States 250th anniversary 250 and 2026. Given that I didn't have the ability to catch them leading the OCS in the DC area a few days prior, I was stoked when they were turned back North right after getting back to Waycross for their first revenue run. Luckily timing worked out well and they didn't wait to leave Brunswick until after I had to leave for work. The morning light wasn't very helpful, but it was sweet to be able to catch this. Happy 250th U.S.! Canon USA

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July and happy 250th anniversary of the United States of America declaring independence from the rule of Great Britain!
250 years ago, our founding fathers gathered together to do the unthinkable. Since then our country has gone through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We have been torn apart and been built back. We have gonne where no man has gone before while putting down our fellow man. We have sent our brave men and women to other lands to fight in wars and have welcomed them home and mourned their loss.
The history of our nation is far from perfect, but that's what makes it great. May we learn from our past mistakes while taking pride in our achievements. May we honor the voices of all people, no matter their race, skin color, religion or creed. May we learn from the past while looking ahead to the future.
Happy 4th of July! Canon USA

06/23/2026

"Lake Marshall" Wabash reflection: on a beautiful winter morning Norfolk Southern 25A (Croxton, NJ -Atlanta, Ga.daily intermodal) passes through the town of Marshall as it is about to cross over Route 55. It is led by the Wabash heritage unit which reflected nicely in the big puddle which was created by recent snow melt. Canon USA

06/15/2026

On a bright summer day Amtrak 151 (New York, NY-Roanoke, VA. daily Northeast Regional) comes to a station stop in Culpeper. After this stop it will only have two more stops then the terminus in Roanoke. The train, which usually only has one leader for some reason had a P42 and Charger leading on this day.
The recently completed pedestrian bridge over the tracks certainly provides some cool new perspectives of the area. Canon USA Amtrak Virginia

06/07/2026

On a cloudy late summer afternoon, a ship passes behind the Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse as it heads north up the Chesapeake Bay.
The Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse is located roughly 1-1/2 miles North of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland. It was built in 1883 to replace an existing lighthouse, which had been built on land nearby in 1858. The lighthouse sits within 5-7 feet of water and is roughly 1,000 feet from the beach of the present day Sandy Point State Park. It is privately owned and so is not open to the public. It can be viewed in the distance by boat, from the beach at the State Park.

05/20/2026

One CSX coal train: on a gorgeous Cinco De Mayo C315 (Newell, Pa.-Florence, Sc. as needed coal) glides down the CSX Cumberland Subdivision through a maintenance of way work zone and under Norfolk Southern's Hagerstown Line. It is led by CSX 4720, a unit painted to recognize the company's railroad employees as part of the "One CSX" initiative.
When I saw that this train was leaving Cumberland, I decided to head trackside since I hadn't caught this unit before (having missed it by a half hour leading another train at Point of Rocks a few months ago). I originally planned on Bardane, just west of here which would have been a cool shot with MOW equipment in the area. However, the shot was blocked so I decided to head to a familiar location. Certainly glad I was able to catch this nice looking unit.

05/04/2026

Pennsy in the Valley: on a muggy late June evening, 12Z (Roanoke, VA.-Enola, Pa. daily manifest) is racing against the darkness as it passes the N&W era CPL signals at CP Warren. It is led by NS 8102, the Pennsylvania Railroad heritage unit. It had been a good while since I had seen this unit, so it was nice to have a short chase of it after a day of work.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day: a day to celebrate this beautiful planet we live on! Several shots from around Virginia through the years.

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