Eastern Railroad Discussion > The final run of RF&P GP7 #101; 6/2/18

Having been on lease to the Buckingham Branch for the past 20 or so years, it was announced earlier this year that the 101 would run a series of final excursions this spring. I'd been putting off shooting this unit for years, and it came around to bite me in the a$$. I had to pick a day, and I settled on the final day, June 2, to ride down and shoot the excursions. While the weather was certainly less than ideal, that wasn't stopping me from shooting a locomotive of the railroad I've grown up on (though I just missed the age of blue and grey locomotives through here).

RF&P #101 leads the first of two excursions north out of Dilwyn at 09:30, with the rains holding off for the time being.

Passing a BB sign just south of Alpha.

Pacing a 10mph train on a 55mph road isn't the smartest idea, but it works!

---

---

---

With the rain really coming down now, the 101 passes the siding at Alpha.

It was a short lived rain shower, and had quit by the time I arrived at Penlan.

Returning south after going all the way to Bremo Bluff, the 101 crosses Hunts Creek.

---

---

---

Still shoving away at Hunts Creek and past a rather photogenic stone wall.

I headed back to Dilwyn to meet a friend for lunch, and then awaited the arrival of the train. After pulling in, a storm rolled by to the south, making for a nice backdrop.

The lease agreement posted in the cab of the 101.

---

---

---

First-rate coverage of your time there. My favorite is the bridge photo at Hunts Creek.
Bob

Departing Dilwyn for the final time, it started raining again, rather hard.

Passing MP 14, standing at the south end of the siding at Alpha.

While waiting for the 101 to roll out onto the river bridge, loaded coal train T131 headed east on CSX just across the river. 2 GE's on the head end, and another 2 GE's 110 cars deep as mid-train DPU's.

---

---

---

On the James River Bridge at Bremo Bluff, the river is running a bit high, making the usual photo opportunity impossible to get.

Passing the sign at Alpha as the rain starts back up for a short while.

The fantastic crew poses on the 101 for a final photo.

Hope Everyone Enjoyed!

---

---

---

Great coverage of a fine looking locomotive.

Randy

Really liked the excellent pacing shot.

What happens to the 101 now?

Do the excursions continue with another locomotive?

Great shots and coverage!

Great stuff..!! Thanks for posting.

Thank You for the very NICE coverage Of GP7 #101.

Larry

The heavy rain conditions on #11 actually make for a pretty good photo. As one of my railfan buddies describes conditions like that, "the weather is so bad that it's good."

Nice series all around. I didn't know the NRHS had an RFP geep in captivity.

Exellent coverage! And don't lament your decision to get there on this day, for the weather was very appropriate for this sad event.
You caught the sky crying for #101!

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA

Great shots, and I especially like the rainy ones. I too, am interested in what happens to her next.

- Jeff Carlson

Interesting horn placement, right outside the cab window. Must help keep the engineer awake!