Buckingham Branch Railroad

The Buckingham Branch Railroad is a locally owned shortline in rural Buckingham County, Virginia. In 1989, the 17 mile former C&O branch line was purchased from the CSX. South to north, the lines begins at Dillwyn and ends just across the James River at a CSX connection at Bremo. Interchange with the CSX takes place via trackage rights at Strathmore. The BB also leases and operates a line of railroad from Richmond to Clifton Forge (via Charlottesville) which is approximately 200 miles long. This is known as the Richmond and Alleghany Division.

Motive Power

Buckingham Branch #1

EMD GP7 (1951) / Dillwyn, Va / May 2004 / RWH

Buckingham Branch #1

builder:Electro Motive Divison
model:GP7
type:B-B road switcher
built:1951, EMD #12390
series:2610 produced 1949-54
engine:EMD 567B (16 cyls. 1500 hp)
notes:
ex Seaboard System, Louisville & Nashville
Unit named "Pete Peters"

Dillwyn, Va / May 2006

May 2004 / RWH

Buckingham Branch #2

EMD GP16 (1950) / Dillwyn, Va / May 2004 / RWH

Buckingham Branch #2

builder:Electro Motive Divison
model:GP16 (rebuilt)
type:B-B road switcher
built:1950, EMD #12090
series:160 units rebuilt by SCL 1979-82
engine:EMD 567 rebuilt (16 cyls. 1600 hp)
notes:
ex CSX, Seaboard System, A&WP, SCL
SCL Uceta rebuild program

Buckingham Branch #3

EMD GP16 (1950) / Dillwyn, Va / May 2004 / RWH

Buckingham Branch #3

builder:Electro Motive Divison
model:GP16 (rebuilt)
type:B-B road switcher
built:1950, EMD #12900
series:160 units rebuilt by SCL 1979-82
engine:EMD 567 rebuilt (16 cyls. 1600 hp)
notes:
ex CSX, Seabord System, FLS,
Seaboard Coast Line, Atlantic Coast Line
SCL Uceta rebuild program

May 2004 / RWH

Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac #101

EMD GP7 (1953) / Dillwyn, Va / May 2004 / RWH

Buckingham Branch #101

builder:Electro Motive Division
model:GP7
type:B-B road switcher
built:1953, EMD #18265
series:2610 produced 1949-54
engine:EMD 567B (16 cyls. 1500 hp)
notes:
ex Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac
on lease from Old Dominion Chapter NRHS

Dillwyn, Va / May 2004 / RWH

Dillwyn, Va / May 2006 / RWH

Buckingham Branch #54344

Baldwin RS4TC (1954) / Dillwyn, Va / May 2006 / RWH

Buckingham Branch #54344

builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
model:RS4TC
type:B-B industrial switcher
built:1954, BLW #61234
series:_________
engine:_________
notes:
ex United States Army #61234

Dillwyn, Va / May 2006 / RWH

Dillwyn, Va / May 2004 / RWH

Locations

Buckingham Branch offices

former C&O station / Dillwyn, Va / May 2004 / RWH

Lagniappe

All images Dillwin, Va / 2004, 2006 / RWH

During my nine years of living in Central Virginia, I enjoyed several trips over to rural Buckingham County to photograph and ride the Buckingham Branch Railroad. I made it onto two of their annual May excursions (2004 and 2006) put on in conjunction with the Old Dominion Chapter of the NRHS; dad and I made the 2006 ride together. As a fan of first generation diesel power, it was glad to get better acquanted with the BB and to see firsthand their handsome stable of Geeps and Seaboard Coast Line rebuilds. Seeing the well known RF&P #101 in operation is a real treat as well. In 2004 it was the power on the excursion, but by 2006 it has been stripped and prepared for repainting. The original Buckingham Branch line is a treat to ride: slow, meandering shorltine trackage through several interesting industrial sites ... finally culminating in a gorgeous view of the James River. Of course, the little BB became famous in the railfan world for recently taking on the operation of the 200 mile CSX subdivision between Richmond and Clifton Forge. I have yet to see this operation up close, but I'm impressed by any shortline that hosts regular Amtrak trains over its rails!

Links / Sources

Official Buckingham Branch company website
Diesel Shop roster for Buckingham Branch
Old Dominion NRHS chapter excursions on the Buckingham Branch
Virginia Railway Association listing
Central Virginia Railfan page for the Buckingham Branch