Rescuing the Regional: Amtrak Dash 8s, once fairly common on Northeast Regionals through this area, are incredibly hard to come by on anything other than the Auto Train these days…and even that’s rare. However, due to engine problems with the trailing P42DC the night before, Dash 8 #515 was called upon from service at the Lorton Auto Train terminal to assist the regional on its way to Newport News. This morning, it was needed once more to haul the train back to Washington, D.C..
With Northeast Regional trains, Auto Train and long distance service to Florida, New Orleans and Chicago, a lot of train riding and train watching can be had.