Southern Serves the South

Through the 1970s and 80s, several major railroads had active excursion programs. By using historic diesels and or steam locomotives, the lines got their name out in front of the public in a positive light. Two of the most active programs were run by the Union Pacific Railroad and the Southern Railway.

The Southern mainline ran from Washington DC to New Orleans, with their other lines crisscrossing those various states. They had the most active program, with runs almost every weekend throughout the summer covering the entire system. It was a real class operation, too. Trains were pulled by classic 1950s era diesel passenger locomotives or a variety of steamers of various vintages. On the mainline trips they would go at maximum track speed, up to 80 MPH. Trainsets would be up to 24 matched cars, and passengers had their choice of coach or first class accommodations.

I took this shot in the summer of 1984. It is just outside of Washington DC, on the return trip to that city after the run south to Charlottesville Virginia. It was a typical hot, humid, muggy Virginia day, I remember the temperature being in the high 90s, with the humidity seemingly 110%. Pretty awful day to be outside running around, but six guys in a van speeding along the roads of rural Virginia in search of photo locations weren't too bothered. When I took this shot the location was out in the country, miles from anywhere. When I returned in subsequent years I was amazed that it had turned into suburbia.