At less than 1%, as far as railroad grades are concerned, RF&P's Rutherglen Hill was pretty lame. That said, it could still take the wind out of the sails of a freight train as is passed over the hill between the watersheds of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers. Southbound manifest No. 109 was grinding up the hill on June 12, 1977 with GP40-2 No. 147 leading three more GP units. In hindsight, it was a lot easier shooting the RF&P back then. The railroad did a lot more to keep vegetation clear of the right of way. Today, this location is a "tree tunnel."
i was born in virginia in 1972. when i think of railroads that shaped the commonwealth. i think of railroads like, SCL, N&W and southern. this is a tribute to those wonderful days gone by and for those who remember it well.
