Does anyone know if this place still has three tracks crossing each other since Chessie and Seaboard merged? If it is still there, how active is it? What are the chances of seeing a train on each track all at once. There was a very famous photograph of this place on the cover of Railfan and Railroad magazine back in 1983. The late Jim Boyd took the shot ( I think ). If it is still there and worth seeing, how do I get there and how safe is the nieghborhood?
Thanks in advance,
George
I believe it does still exist. But remember one of those tracks is an industrial siding or something less than a running track…so chance of three trains is rare. All photos, postcards, etc., were staged.
This is at the Southeast corner of downtown Richmond, VA. It should be pretty close to the intersection of 16th & Cary or 16th & Canal. This is located just east of the section of town known as Shockhoe Slip, which is home to some nice restaurants and nightlife. Downtown Richmond is generally okay safety-wise in daylight for those alert to their surroundings; the neighborhood east and north from this location (east of the North-South main line) appears to be not as good. As soon as folks leave work at 5:00 PM, my comfort level (even when I was a Virginia police officer) in downtown Richmond always declined.
While in the area, it would probably be good to also check in on the long process of work on the old passenger station, just a few blocks north of this crossing and just east of the MCV hospitals. The last time I drove through there, it looked like even more tracks had been removed…
Bill
I would advise you that a floodwall was built in the vicinity of the crossing, and that a couple of the photo angles you may have seen in posed past photos may no longer be available. In fact, I just now took a look at Google Maps, and saw so many new buildings and construction around the crossing that I don’t think ANY of the previous stagings of three trains could be successfully recreated today, at least not for a group of photographers like it was in 1983.
The Triple Crossing even has its own Google Maps marker: http://g.co/maps/6r6zx
Well phooey! Why do they need to clutter up a neat railroad scene like that with buildings anyway? Oh well, thanks for the replies and the good information. Thanks for the link, LNER4472. I was thinking about making a special trip up there ( I live near Nashville TN) to see this place. It was on my list of railroad places to see while I still can, like Sherman hill and Horseshoe curve, but it sounds like it has been messed up by developement.
George
When visiting we like to go to Bottoms Up Pizza.
Kinda pricey, but if you can get on the balcony you can get some train watching in…
http://www.bottomsuppizza.com/
If you go, include a trip further north to Ashland and Doswell.
Robert
rdamon,
Looks like they have good pizza. I geuss I would just ask for the balcony upon arriving?
George
Yes … It is usually closed in bad weather or if there is a private party.
I you get near a window on the inside you will still get a good view.
Enjoy,
Robert