Early in the morning on an already hot and hazy Virginia day, three P30CH’s haul the Auto Train NB only a few miles from the destination of Lorton VA at the end of a nonstop sprint from Florida. Trailing are 11 Heritage cars, including a dome and full length dome, 4 amfleets and the auto carriers. Amtrak only had 25 of these POOCH’s and they were supposedly the first locomotive designed new for Amtrak. However, they were basically cowled U30C’s, much like the ATSF U30CG. And these were as equally unpopular with crews and management on Amtrak as the U30CG’s were on ATSF. In their later days these units were restricted, for the most part, to the Auto Train and the Sunset Limited. Actual location just south of Taylorsville and east of Gum Tree just off US 1.
Amtrak's longest train takes passengers and their vehicles on an overnight trip between Florida and the Northeast while eliminating 850 miles of driving. It is popular with snowbirds and families.
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.
