The above description of the Broad Street Station layout was true only for ACL-RF&P trains. Since the connection to, and from, the ACL mainline south, was actually north of the station site, southbound ACL trains continued around the loop to reach its line, while RF&P trains did the same to head north to Washington, DC. Prior to the ACL/SAL merger, Seaboard trains used Richmond's Main Street Station, on the south edge of downtown, which it shared with the C&O. Thus SAL trains had their engine change performed in RF&P's Acca Yard, just east of Broad Street, and then continued south to Main Street. (Almost immediately south of Main Street, the SAL crossed under the C&O James River Line, the same moment it passed over a Southern Railway local line, at the famous triple-level crossing.) Post merger, the ex-SAL trains were moved into Broad Street, where the engine changes then took place. But northbounds had to back into the station, and southbounds had to back out. By the way, SCL 575 is an ex-ACL E8, identified by its extra-long grabs adjacent to the nose door, and ATS shoe on the third journal of the lead truck.
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Please accept my apologies. In an effort to be brief, I was trying to keep it simple. For the most part Mr. Smith is correct and his comments are appreciated. To expand on his comments. SAL abandoned Main Street Station and started using Broad Street Station April 26, 1959, approximately eight years before the ACL/SAL merger. This required a back up move on the part of SAL trains to enter Broad Street Station. Shortly after the merger of ACL and SAL, forming SCL, all passenger trains started arriving and departing Richmond on the former ACL mainline. At this point the backup moves became unnecessary. Trains headed down the former SAL gained access to the former SAL south of Richmond at South Dunlop and eventually South Collier. In October, 1970 when this photograph was taken, all SCL passenger trains operated out of Richmond via the former ACL and the back up moves had been discontinued.
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Nice piece of history!
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Special photo, special era, special railroad, special power!
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