Ashland VA 8.2.08: Close Encounters (Of The Intermodal Kind)

I moved to the narrow brick strip across the tracks from the Ashland station to record the next train on my August visit, a northbound intermodal hotshot led by ES44DC 5395 and C40-8 7557. I got absorbed as usual in watching the train go by, but snapped out of it quick when I panned around and saw a headlight coming the other direction fast.

Not wanting to partake in any unexpected and unnecessary rail travel, I quickly moved as far right as I could without stepping into the street, re-leveled the tripod (or tried to, frantically) and braced as ES44DCs 5279 and 5467 blasted past with a matching southbound intermodal. A string of Tropicana empties hitched a ride on the rear of the southbound, returning to Florida for another load of O.J..

Repost of an earlier clip, now in HD.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• CSX
• freight
• train
• railroad
• close
• meet
• intermodal
• piggyback
• container
• Tropicana
• juice
• ES44DC
• C40-8
• RF&P
• Subdivision
• station
• Ashland
• Virginia
• HD
• hidef
• high
• definition

[eeeman07]

wow, that must have been bad, did they announce a warning to other trains about you? that happened to us. It really sucks to be chastised on the radio scanner.

[FastFlyingVirginian]

Wouldn't know, don't carry a scanner with me - which was probably a good thing that day. I backed up as soon as I saw it coming; my feet were on the concrete curb next to the street. The back two legs of the tripod were in a similar position too. Given the heat that day the breeze actually felt pretty good. :)

[AmtrakFlorida]

Damn'it CSX just blow the horn. Nice video by the way

[kilrbe3]

Had to re watch that 2 times, thats damn close man! Nice video though!