There was a post here a while back from someone looking for video footage of this short-lived operation. I couldn't find the post, but I thought I'd mention that good ol' Ebay has a copy of a film covering this subject:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... tegory=130

Virginia Central video
jcpdeke@aol.com

> There was a post here a while back from
> someone looking for video footage of this
> short-lived operation. I couldn't find the
> post, but I thought I'd mention that good
> ol' Ebay has a copy of a film covering this
> subject:

>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... tegory=130

FWIW we also have a bit of Virginia Central on a Saturday Run. Its part of our 4 subject "Great Steam Trains"- VOl 3, which also features 261 on the New River Trips, N&W 611 on a 1992 trip, and C&TS doubleheaders. Link to more info below. Our video is shot and mastered on Betacam SP.
Greg Scholl

http://www.gregschollvideo.com


Eastern Steam Videos
sales@gregschollvideo.com

Mainline Motion Pictures "Mountain Climbing Pacifics" is a great tape even for the full price of $29.95. On Ebay for $15? Buy it!

This is one excursion operation that went under far too quickly (I'm not certain of the reasons, only that CSX wouldn't let the operation continue-for whatever reasons). From a strict preservation standpoint, using ex-CPR locomotives with a variety of rolling stock on an ex-C&O line might not meet purist credentials. But from a standpoint of keeping an image of steam alive, and offering reasonably-priced rides through some beautiful country-this was a great operation. If this had stayed in operation, who knows? The S160 in Covington might haved joined the lineup.

At least Amtrak runs over this line (for now...), although the only way to do a reasonable round trip is to go Charlottesville-Staunton (not Clifton Forge, alas). And the nearby CSX James River line would be a beautiful line to ride on as well. Hayes Watkins, we miss you!


jcpdeke@aol.com

> This is one excursion operation that went
> under far too quickly (I'm not certain of
> the reasons, only that CSX wouldn't let the
> operation continue-for whatever reasons).

It ended initially for the same reason that alot of others have.....Insurance

CSX suddenly wanted much more coverage than before, that ended it the next season (which was already half sold out by the time they had to call it) Latter it was just more wrangleing that amounted too "not on my railroad" unfortunatly in the interm we lost Preston Claytor (to the Alaska railroad I think), one of the main people in CSX that wanted it. Not to mention the scenery, the Shenandoah Valley is a great market for that type of operation plus Montcello in C'ville attracks almost 800,000 people a year.

http://www.cassrailroad.com/
btrue@vt.edu

Like I said; Buy the video and see what it was all about! You'll be glad you did. And no, I'm not a spokesperson for Mainline Motion Pictures. I have a copy of "100 engines" that I wish I'd never bought. However the "Mountain Climbing" tape is a keeper! Good to the last drop...of boiler water.