While some call signs were probably simply what was available (instead of what would seem appropriate, if it weren’t already in use), I know of at least one that reflected a previous station name. The call sign for Thendara, NY (NYC) was “FC” for “Fulton Chain,” the original name of the station.
AF is the point at which the NS (formerly Southern) track begins just south of Alexandria. I find it interesting that even though the Southern itself never went into Washington, the Southern’s zero milepost is in Washington. The Southern, RF&P, and C&O trains used Washington Terminal tracks from the station to the Virginia Avenue interlocking with the PRR, then the PRR to the south bank of the Potomac, then the RF&P south. The C&O trains and Southern then left the RF&P at AF interlocking.
You may have noticed recently that occasionally VRE trains that were to continue towards Fredericksburg were diverted towards Manassas because the operator at K Tower (north of the station in Washington) was not as alert as he should have been (ask Balt about the details on that).
The C&O used the Southern tracks to Orange, where they took the track to Gordonsville (on the main passenger line) and thence west. This is the route the Cardinal uses to make its way west from Washington.
Ownership of the track north of the Virginia state line has changed from what it was when the routing was set up.
…that covers the cost of providing the service and generates a fair return for the shareholders!
Might have to retract that statement. This morning at ~2am there was a coal train breakapart seen on the west Kearney cam. One track OOS, two still available !!
the track between Lincoln and Galesburg was originally 2MT. Between Pacific Jct and Creston a lot of 2 MT was removed, and about 5 years ago some was replaced
the B&O tower at East Norwood by the former Fisher Body plant guarding the interlocking with the Pennsy call letters were GK, the B&O tower for the junction between the B&O and the Big Four (NYC) was known as NA