By chance, did anyone attend Railroad Day at Natural Tunnel State Park on Saturday? If you were close and didn't attend, a great time was missed.
On Saturday, NS basically shutdown railroad action thru the tunnel from 1000 am to 400 pm. The Virginian heritage unit along with an Operation Lifesaver unit was parked for photo sessions. Many shots were taken. NS photographer Casey Thomason was there and you can see several of his very nice shots on Railpictures.net. I was able to get quite a few shots of the Virginian lead unit exiting the small tunnel and also from the north end. It was very challenging on the north end shots due to number of people getting the picture taken in front of the engine. The tunnel was open to the public to allow passage and to see first hand this wonderful marvel. The creek still runs through the tunnel and due to the wet spring and summer, water levels were up compared to the past. The crowd seemed larger than even NS and the Park personnel envisioned. Shuttle buses ran from the larger parking area to the visitor center/chair lift. The crowd behaved very well, drinks and snacks were reasonably priced, and the event was such a success that there is a possibility this may become an annual event.
At first, my wife was hesitant about going. We got early Saturday morning and we were on the road by 600 am, arriving approximately 1030. By midday Saturday, she was glad she went as she's teaches science at a private Christian school and she's got lots of nice shots for science this next school year.
If I get a chance, I'll try and download some shots and post for everyone to see.
