The management and employees of the RF&P had always been proud of their railroad. As the takeover by CSX appeared to be imminent, that pride seemed to grow and solidify. In 1986, RF&P decided to return one of its GP7s to its as delivered paint scheme. Unit 104 was chosen because it was in the best condition. It had been rebuilt in 1977 after a derailment off line, on Conrail north of Baltimore. Parts were used from three GP7s and one GP35 to recreate the "new 101." On June 12, 1986 No. 101 rests inside the paint shop at Bryan Park Terminal in Richmond, VA. The paint work had been completed and only a few mechanical issues needed to be addressed before it was released for service on June 19. After several years of service, it was donated to the Old Dominion Chapter, NRHS. It was relocated to the Buckingham Branch Railroad at Dillwyn, VA, where it resides today. It has recently been repainted and is used at times by the BBRR on their line between Dillwyn and the CSX connection at Bremo.
The "BB" was founded in 1988 and ran its first train on March 6, 1989. The BB has grown from 17 miles of track and two employees to 275 miles and 75 employees, spanning over Virginia in three separate divisions.
Not
just heritage schemes, not just commemorative schemes - this album is devoted to some of the world's most interesting paint schemes, past or present.