ACL 501 and SOU 6900 to Washington DC

On October 2, 2008 Amtrak transported E units ACL 501 and SOU 6900 To DC for the Union Station celebration. This video was shot between Reidsville, NC and Deal VA just north of Altavista.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• ACL
• 501
• Southern
• 6900
• Amtrak
• NC
• Transportation
• Museum
• Trains
• Railroad
• units
• Norfolk
• New
• Haven
• Atlantic
• Coast
• Line
• SCL

[Knsengineer]

Great Video, I was in the video in the white BMW that was chasing with my brother between Reidsville and Pelham. Our Granddad worked for the ACL, was killed in 1953 on train #1 the east coast Champion in which the 501 was third unit in the consist along with the E7A's 532, and 542. This was the first time I'd every seen 501 on the mainline.

[quazephoto]

Thanks for the comment. You guys blew past me in that Beemer somewhere between Reidsville and Ruffin! This was the first time I took video while driving.  The pace shots would have been better if I had a driver. Your grandfather must have been in the Dillon wreck - a bad one.

[ACLTony]

Would have been very cool, however, problem is that if the 501 were leading and happened to throw a connecting rod or fry a traction motor..............then the situation would turn into an instant, very costly nightmare, especially since parts for older EMDs are becoming more scarce and the owners of "hard to get" parts can charge a premium for them. But yes, still, I'd love to see those E units pulling a long distance run under their own power.

[ncrailfan]

I wish I knew about it before it happend.

[tdluvs]

In the opening shot, it sounds and looks like the train crosses a diamond, is this the case and if so is that track in service and if it is in service who operates over it?

[rleclare]

I wonder if 50 years from now we will gather to see a classic restored GE genesis roll by. By we I mean young folks. I remember when the E units were new and routine.

[justkiddin08]

Nice video!

[hbruins85]

Oops, "escorted," not "hauled," is the word for the 6900. My apologies.

[hbruins85]

Mr. Claytor would have been proud to see this...his company's finest hauling a pair of grande dames, one of them being from his very own Southern Railway!

[m611martin]

I saw these units come through my home in Altavista, VA, both to and from Washington. Nice video by the way.