BB Shot: Rambling To The James On The Buckingham Branch

On Saturday, June 4th, the Buckingham Branch Railroad's Buckingham Division hosted the James River Rambler excursion train for the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Having last visited with a video camera in 2002 when I carried an 8mm Handycam on the much shorter Santa Claus Special, I was eager for the opportunity to revisit the full length of the route in High Definition. After a few missed dates in the last couple of years it all finally came together, and the BB, the Old Dominion Chapter, and the weather did not disappoint!

The clip opens Saturday morning at the BB's headquarters in Dillwyn as final preparations are made to the static display of BB 4 (ex-Air Force Baldwin RS4TC) and bay window caboose 222. Shortly before its scheduled 9 AM departure, the excursion consist pulled up to the station for boarding, led by GP7 1. After the Geep got a little TLC and all the passengers were on board, the train left on its leisurely run to Bremo - it looked like there wasn't a single empty seat in the house!

The Buckingham Division tracks are closely followed for much of their distance by Route 15, and coupled with the don't-be-in-a-hurry pace of the train it made for an easy chase. On the outbound leg of the journey, I caught the train near Treatsmill Road and Rocky Mountain Road before running ahead to Bremo, where the line connects with CSX after crossing the James River on a bridge next to Route 15. Upon arrival at Bremo, the train pulled forward onto a tail track and backed onto the bridge for a 5-minute stop to let the passengers enjoy the view.

With no wye to turn the train, the return to Dillwyn is a backup move. A crewmember positioned in the rear coach operates a strobe light and horn for visibility at the many grade crossings along the way. On the return leg of the journey, I caught the train at Thomas Road and the BB Yard in Alpha, and then finally at the log yard on the outskirts of Dillwyn. At Alpha Yard, the Old Dominion Chapter's GP7 101 showed off its vintage RF&P livery as it rested on a siding. Once back at the station, I took one final look at BB 1 as the winners of the cabride raffle had their pictures taken. Now then, about that fall leaves trip...

About The Train:

The consist of the excursion train is as follows:

- BB GP7m 1, 'The Pete Peters' (ex-Louisville & Nashville 404)

- BB wide-vision caboose 224 (ex-Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac 906)

- Old Dominion Chapter NRHS air-conditioned coach 706 (ex-RF&P)

- BB open-air car 301 (converted pulpwood flat, ex-Westvaco)

- BB commissary boxcar 810 (ex-Defense Logistics Agency 42005)

- BB open-air car 302 (converted pulpwood flat, ex-Westvaco)

- Old Dominion Chapter NRHS open-window coach 1006 (ex-Southern 1678)


About The Route:

The Buckingham Branch Buckingham Division runs 17.3 miles from Dillwyn, VA to a connection with CSX at Bremo; interchange takes place west of Bremo at Strathmore. Commodities hauled on the line include Kyanite ore (aluminum silicate), wood chips, lumber, and crushed slate.

Credit goes to the NRHS August 2010 newsletter and the Buckingham Branch website for the equipment and route information, respectively.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

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• Potomac
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• excursion
• special
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• Alpha
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• Dillwyn
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[pwalpar]

Very good video, Thanks for the ride. Awesome shot out on the Trestle

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@pwalpar Thanks! It took a little willpower to wait it out. I missed one train on the CSX main behind me, but I would have had to walk a little distance away from this spot to catch it and I didn't want to take a chance on the excursion arriving when I wasn't looking.

[trainkid16]

The cab ride would have been very cool, but I bet riding in the cupola of the caboose would be so much more fun!

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@trainkid16 It would be; I rode the cupola of a PRR cabin car on the Nittany & Bald Eagle back in 2004, and it was quite fun, even with a rain shower most of the way.

[GenesisSanctuary]

Awesome video! This looks like a neat little railroad, and it's great to see vintage Geeps in action.

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@GenesisSanctuary Thanks!  I was a little disappointed that the 101 wasn't pulling the excursion, but the 1-spot is certainly no slouch either. In addition to this trackage, BB also operates the ex-C&O Richmond-Clifton Forge line on a 20-year lease from CSX, plus a Burkeville-Keysville-Clarksvil­le segment. This line, however, is where they got their start in 1989. It's nice to see them growing the business.

[MrBuckwilliam]

nice to see the caboose... excellent video :)

[trainkid16]

@FastFlyingVirginian It looks like an awesome view.

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@joneau261 Thanks!

[FastFlyingVirginian]

@CSX6000 Thanks. That thought has crossed my mind, especially where the Buckingham Division is concerned. I just might have to change that.