CSX 339W with G632 (grain empties) heads westbound on the Buckingham Branch - splitting the signals at Lindsay, VA. Lindsay was during the steam era up until the 1970’s the location of the junction between C&O’s Piedmont Division and the C&O’s Virginia Air Line route. The Virginia Air Line ran from Strathmore, Virginia to Lindsay, and served as an important coal artery providing eastbound C&O coal trains going to DC and points north a low-grade, high clearance alternative to the steep grades of the Piedmont and Mountain Divisions. Cars that were too large or tall to traverse the Blue Ridge Tunnel were routed via the Virginia Air Line.
The Virginia Air Line however quickly lost favor with the C&O and Chessie System. As steam gave way to diesels, the challenge of running eastbound coal trains up the Mountain was a lot less significant. Additionally, the loss of on-line businesses along the route eventually led to its demise. The last train was run on it in 1973, and the right of way was cleared of track by 1978.
The Piedmont Division is now operated by Buckingham Branch. C&O’s successor, CSX still runs empty coal and grain trains through the Piedmont, with the heavier loaded trains navigating the low grade Rivanna and James River subdivisions between Richmond and Clifton Forge. A siding remains at Lindsay, but it is mostly relegated to car storage.
