Excursion Train Visits Charlottesville

On Sunday, November 1 members and friends of the NRHS Rivanna Chapter assisted some of the ~1000 passengers who disembarked from the Virginia Autumn Special at the Charlottesville Amtrak Station.  This excursion was sponsored by the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum of Johnson City, TN.  The text below describes the route and highlights of the Special.

The Virginia Autumn Special passed through the North Carolina cities of Thomasville, High Point and Reidsville, and the Virginia cities of Danville, Lynchburg and Oak Ridge, and passengers viewed the beauty of the Piedmont and rolling hills of the Carolinas and the western part of Central Virginia. Spectacular views of the Dan, Roanoke, and James Rivers were enjoyed. The train passed by Schuyler, the mountain town fictionalized in the television show "The Waltons." At mid-day the Special arrived in Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia. Travelers had several hours to explore the historic downtown area. Buses or a short walk took visitors to the Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall, one of the most beautiful and successful pedestrian malls in the nation. Unique shopping and dining opportunities were had in boutiques, specialty wine, coffee and tea shops and outdoor dining spots.

The Rivanna Chapter's unofficial photographer, Ann Harrod, was on hand and captured images of some of the vintage equipment and VIPs.  A sampling of her excellent photos are below.