Uploaded June 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
June 25, 2014: A days outing between Shippensburg, PA, Hagerstown, MD, and Point of Rocks, MD yields many different local trains of both CSX and Norfolk Southern, as well as an appearance of the Winchester and Western. We experienced a variety of weather throughout the day, from clear blue skies and sunshine, to heavy rains and dramatic post-storm skies, which made a bizarre pink, yellow, and brown sunset. A variety of locomotives are featured in this video, from older 4-axle EMD's, to newer 6-axle GE and EMD's, as well as leased locomotives in three different paint jobs.
Video and train information listed below, including time stamps for the start of each clip.
0:00 - In the morning, the Hagerstown-Chambersburg local D773 is approaching the southern end of the terminal at Chambersburg, PA with CSX GP40-2 6059 and CSX SD70MAC 4734. We will see this set of power again in the evening.
1:20 - Later, we see the Brunswick-Frederick local D786 returning to Brunswick, MD as it comes off of the Old Main Line at Point of Rocks, MD with CSX GP40-2 6987 and CSX Road Slug 2387.
2:00 - That afternoon, Winchester and Western works its way off of their rails and into Norfolk Southern's Vardo yard in Hagerstown with a trio of GP38-2's. We left in the middle of this train in order to catch the next local which was entering the CSX Hanover Subdivision at the same time.
4:15 - Now over on the CSX Hanover Subdivision, eastbound road local D797 from Hagerstown, MD to Hanover, PA is seen powering for the grade just east of Hagerstown. Although shooting straight into the sun, the combination of three EMD locomotives, including a leaser on the point, made for a great show of throttle and smoke. Power for the train is CEFX SD40-2 2815, CSX SD60I 8752, and CSX SD40-2 4041.
6:05 - Strong storms and rain settle into the valley just as a heavy eastbound road local D720 from Hancock, MD to Hagerstown, MD struggles up the ~1% grade on the Lurgan Subdivision just west of Hagerstown. The sun was literally out just moments before the train's arrival. Another lease locomotive was on the point: CITX SD40-2 3087 and CSX Dash-8-40CW 7370
8:15 - Now on the Norfolk Southern Lurgan Branch, local H34 heads south for Vardo Yard with yet another lease locomotive leading, CEFX SD40-2 3155 and CSX SD40-3 4020 trailing. The strong rains have just passed, leaving a flash flood in a previously dry field.
9:25 - Just north of Marion, PA, CSX local B708 (symbol KH00 on NS) flies east at trackspeed with the same GP40-2/SD70MAC pair we saw this morning. B708/KH00 takes the Norfolk Southern Lurgan Branch to Shippensburg, where it backs down the Lurgan Running Track to get to industries served by CSX. The Lurgan Subdivision was severed in Chambersburg many years ago, cutting off the Lurgan Running Track from the south; therefore, only allowing access from the north at Shippensburg.
9:55 - We follow the B708, now on CSX tracks in Shippensburg, backing down the branch. Notice the unusual yellow sky, which is a combination of the low setting sun and a dusty sky from the farmlands after torrential downpours.
11:18 - Fading off into the farmlands, we get one last look of the B708 backing down the branch toward the north side of Chambersburg. Even though the sky is an eerie pink and yellow color, it is unusually bright out for 9:00 PM even in the long days of the summer, but this is probably due to reflected light off of the rainy sky to the east, and clear skies to the west. Nevertheless, I think it was a nice way to end the day trackside.
Thanks for Watching!
June 25, 2014: A days outing between Shippensburg, PA, Hagerstown, MD, and Point of Rocks, MD yields many different local trains of both CSX and Norfolk Southern, as well as an appearance of the Winchester and Western. We experienced a variety of weather throughout the day, from clear blue skies and sunshine, to heavy rains and dramatic post-storm skies, which made a bizarre pink, yellow, and brown sunset. A variety of locomotives are featured in this video, from older 4-axle EMD's, to newer 6-axle GE and EMD's, as well as leased locomotives in three different paint jobs.
Video and train information listed below, including time stamps for the start of each clip.
0:00 - In the morning, the Hagerstown-Chambersburg local D773 is approaching the southern end of the terminal at Chambersburg, PA with CSX GP40-2 6059 and CSX SD70MAC 4734. We will see this set of power again in the evening.
1:20 - Later, we see the Brunswick-Frederick local D786 returning to Brunswick, MD as it comes off of the Old Main Line at Point of Rocks, MD with CSX GP40-2 6987 and CSX Road Slug 2387.
2:00 - That afternoon, Winchester and Western works its way off of their rails and into Norfolk Southern's Vardo yard in Hagerstown with a trio of GP38-2's. We left in the middle of this train in order to catch the next local which was entering the CSX Hanover Subdivision at the same time.
4:15 - Now over on the CSX Hanover Subdivision, eastbound road local D797 from Hagerstown, MD to Hanover, PA is seen powering for the grade just east of Hagerstown. Although shooting straight into the sun, the combination of three EMD locomotives, including a leaser on the point, made for a great show of throttle and smoke. Power for the train is CEFX SD40-2 2815, CSX SD60I 8752, and CSX SD40-2 4041.
6:05 - Strong storms and rain settle into the valley just as a heavy eastbound road local D720 from Hancock, MD to Hagerstown, MD struggles up the ~1% grade on the Lurgan Subdivision just west of Hagerstown. The sun was literally out just moments before the train's arrival. Another lease locomotive was on the point: CITX SD40-2 3087 and CSX Dash-8-40CW 7370
8:15 - Now on the Norfolk Southern Lurgan Branch, local H34 heads south for Vardo Yard with yet another lease locomotive leading, CEFX SD40-2 3155 and CSX SD40-3 4020 trailing. The strong rains have just passed, leaving a flash flood in a previously dry field.
9:25 - Just north of Marion, PA, CSX local B708 (symbol KH00 on NS) flies east at trackspeed with the same GP40-2/SD70MAC pair we saw this morning. B708/KH00 takes the Norfolk Southern Lurgan Branch to Shippensburg, where it backs down the Lurgan Running Track to get to industries served by CSX. The Lurgan Subdivision was severed in Chambersburg many years ago, cutting off the Lurgan Running Track from the south; therefore, only allowing access from the north at Shippensburg.
9:55 - We follow the B708, now on CSX tracks in Shippensburg, backing down the branch. Notice the unusual yellow sky, which is a combination of the low setting sun and a dusty sky from the farmlands after torrential downpours.
11:18 - Fading off into the farmlands, we get one last look of the B708 backing down the branch toward the north side of Chambersburg. Even though the sky is an eerie pink and yellow color, it is unusually bright out for 9:00 PM even in the long days of the summer, but this is probably due to reflected light off of the rainy sky to the east, and clear skies to the west. Nevertheless, I think it was a nice way to end the day trackside.
Thanks for Watching!
