2Railz

2Railz We are 2Railz, we create videos about things that run on two rails - mostly trains.

Based largely in the Washington DC Metro area, and as such focused on CSX and Norfolk Southern operations in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia, 2Railz produces railfan-focused content in video form.

Ex-KCS Belle leads CPKC in Smiths Falls, ONThe light was fading. No traffic had moved on the Wi******er or Belleville su...
01/09/2026

Ex-KCS Belle leads CPKC in Smiths Falls, ON

The light was fading. No traffic had moved on the Wi******er or Belleville subdivisions all evening, barring the G61 that moved from the yard to get to the Brockville sub. I was about ready to give up and get dinner on the way to the hotel.

When hark, What light through yonder treeline breaks? It's not VIA, they don't have anything moving anywhere near here. It was the first movement off the Belleville Subdivision I'd seen all day! And it was led by a locomotive from the KCS-side of the merger, ES44AC number 9856. It was helped mid-train by fellow ES44AC, CP 9352.

The train clearly identified itself over the radio as 132, which is listed as being an intermodal. Evidently some amount of PSR has taken hold, as it was carrying a significantly wider array of equipment, and it stopped at Smiths Falls to pick up and/or drop off -- that was all happening at the front end of the train while I was stationed where the back had stopped.

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

The light was fading. No traffic had moved on the Wi******er or Bel...

First Catch of the Day: 13V is held at Altoona, eventually released to be seen at CressonA month ago today, a weekend be...
25/08/2026

First Catch of the Day: 13V is held at Altoona, eventually released to be seen at Cresson

A month ago today, a weekend became unexpectedly and unrestrictedly free in my calendar. The original plan was to go to Old Faithful, Shenandoah Junction. But it didn't feel right - not adventurous enough.

No, I booked a hotel for Friday evening, drove to central Pennsylvania after work, and planned a long day of railfanning on Saturday.

The first catch on Saturday morning was 13V. It began in Altoona proper, where I saw a couple of trains - I caught it again a little later in the morning in Cresson. Both instances are captured in today's video.

Stay tuned for the coming weeks, there are many more great snaps to come. The next one includes a locomotive I didn't even realize was still on the NS roster in 2026!

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1805576-REG/zoom_h6essential_32_bit_float.html
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

A month ago today, a weekend became unexpectedly and unrestrictedly...

From the Archives: M371, November 2023I'm not sure why this didn't get published at the time. Perhaps I just ran out of ...
18/08/2026

From the Archives: M371, November 2023

I'm not sure why this didn't get published at the time. Perhaps I just ran out of steam..?

Certainly it can't have been not having enough motive power -- because this train had more than enough to make up for it. Seven locomotives -- not all of them online -- are the locomotion for this mixed freight train headed for Cumberland, MD.

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6 (Audio Recording) -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm

I'm not sure why this didn't get published at the time. Perhaps I j...

NS 289 runs South at Shenandoah Junction, WVWhen I started posting this series, back in June one of the videos was about...
11/08/2026

NS 289 runs South at Shenandoah Junction, WV

When I started posting this series, back in June one of the videos was about a not-so-intermodal train, 275 with zero containers or trailers. Well, later in the day 289 showed up and I was able to capture it in the same location.

There's something unnerving about that spot, and I question myself every time as to whether it was a good idea or not. Outside of the curve, on a downgrade -- train crosses a road right there, and the siding ends a couple of miles further south with some long trains. There are several ingredients there, any one thing could result in it all going horribly wrong and I'm probably standing in the worst possible place.

But it also looks so cool to see the power peek around from behind the trees, rumble over the two bridges, and then snake back around. Really, I only wish the box with the equipment for the grade crossing wasn't where it is -- it would be lovely to set up on the other side of 1st Street and swing around to watch the train disappear down the grade and into the distance.

I've been coming to this spot for a long time. I vaguely remember when the N&W CPL signals were still standing, before the siding was extended, before both the signal and grade crossing controller boxes were moved to their current locations. It hasn't killed me yet -- and if it does, I'll die happy.

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1805576-REG/zoom_h6essential_32_bit_float.html
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

When I started posting this series, back in June one of the videos ...

CPKC GP38-2s in Local Freight serviceIt has been more than 10 years since then-Canadian Pacific sold their Brockville su...
04/08/2026

CPKC GP38-2s in Local Freight service

It has been more than 10 years since then-Canadian Pacific sold their Brockville subdivision (Brockville to Smiths Falls) to VIA, but CP (now CPKC) still provides local freight services along the route.

I got to Smiths Falls at about 4pm. I would have loved to get there earlier, but with flights and such it was as early as I reasonably could - plus this is a fun hobby, I was in the area to do work.

I wasn't super-optimistic. I knew a few VIA trains would roll through, but I was hopeful that with a few hours available I would see some freight. But.. as I set up at the picnic table outside the division office the workers coming in and out had bad news. "It'll be at least an hour before anything moves here."

He wasn't kidding. Eventually I heard messages over the radio from the dispatcher indicating that the Belleville sub (to the west) was in an all-trains-stop state. I never did figure out why, but a couple of hours later crew started arriving and wandered out across the tracks into the yard - with purpose.

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

It has been more than 10 years since then-Canadian Pacific sold the...

Trains Meet at Shenandoah Junction (Only Just!)M371's DPU, 4782, had just cleared the interlocking at Shen when M372 is ...
28/07/2026

Trains Meet at Shenandoah Junction (Only Just!)

M371's DPU, 4782, had just cleared the interlocking at Shen when M372 is rounding the curve and calling the clear signal.

The lead unit, CSXT3017, isn't anything to write home about -- it does have the "DP" decals that indicate it is equipped to be a Distributed Power unit if required, but the real story is two of the other locos.

CSXT 113 trailed at the front, and CSXT 503 with a buddy in the mid-train are both still painted in older CSX paint known as "YN2" (Yellow Nose, v2). It would have been nice if one of them were leading, but it remains nice to see some older units sporting older paint in 2026. It does age the units, somewhat, as the darker "YN3" paint scheme became the standard for CSX from about 2002 onwards.

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1805576-REG/zoom_h6essential_32_bit_float.html
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

M371's DPU, 4782, had just cleared the interlocking at Shen when M3...

GE up front, EMD in the backIt's not often I get excited about the back of a train, but in this case I did. EMD power on...
21/07/2026

GE up front, EMD in the back

It's not often I get excited about the back of a train, but in this case I did. EMD power on longer-haul trains is very much a rarity these days, so I'll celebrate an SD70 at every opportunity!

Funnily enough, I noticed it approaching by the radiators - the GEs have distinctive radiators and so anything missing those stands out.

M371 is one of the few manifest freight trains to run the old B&O route, hopefully they continue well into the future!

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1805576-REG/zoom_h6essential_32_bit_float.html
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

It's not often I get excited about the back of a train, but in this...

Empty Autoracks Westbound at Shenandoah Junction, WVAutoracks are boring. Autoracks are all the same. Except.. they're n...
14/07/2026

Empty Autoracks Westbound at Shenandoah Junction, WV

Autoracks are boring. Autoracks are all the same. Except.. they're not.

Bi- and tri-level autoracks exist -- this is a train of bi-levels. The obvious difference is how many layers are in the car, the slightly less obvious (but it is when you think about it) is the capacity and the size of the vehicles. Bi-levels are best for taller vehicles, even if fewer can be carried per-freight-car.

They have also been designed and built by different manufacturers at different times. I'm not smart enough (or knowledgeable enough) to spot the differences between a Trinity or an NSC, but I do find it fun to notice the clear differences in cars as they roll by. The gaps in the sides, the solid vs. not-solid columns. This train didn't have too many fallen flag cars, but they can be fun to spot as they roll by also.

For better or for worse, autoracks tend to attract graffiti. I'd wager its the large flat surface. This didn't have any particularly notable examples, but I find myself torn between appreciating the art whilst not at all condoning the medium.

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1805576-REG/zoom_h6essential_32_bit_float.html
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

Autoracks are boring. Autoracks are all the same. Except.. they're ...

12Z Finally Released to go NorthI arrived just before 8am, and got all excited because I heard K47 on the radio, and see...
07/07/2026

12Z Finally Released to go North

I arrived just before 8am, and got all excited because I heard K47 on the radio, and seemed to be calling a signal at Shenandoah Junction.

I hadn't got everything out just yet, so I set the audio recorder running and opened the camera on my phone to Video mode. I'd seen the lights (and heard the horn) across the crossing, but two minutes later... nothing? Then a pair of locomotives in the distance disappeared back the other way. I listened as the runaround completed, and he headed south with his train, back toward Shenandoah, VA.

Not too long later I hear signals calling again on the NS side, and it's a train coming to a stop in the siding at the Junction. I rounded up gear and wandered down to the crossing to see 275 come south. I waited a few more minutes, but 12Z didn't move.

I'm glad I didn't wait, because he sat there a good long time -- I thought about an hour but checking timestamps it may have been closer to three!

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1805576-REG/zoom_h6essential_32_bit_float.html
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

I arrived just before 8am, and got all excited because I heard K47 ...

The Last Train Home: VIA Rail Fallowfield Evening RushThe sun had fallen, I'd stopped to get dinner because I knew how l...
03/07/2026

The Last Train Home: VIA Rail Fallowfield Evening Rush

The sun had fallen, I'd stopped to get dinner because I knew how late the train was. Unfortunately train 54 was the latest of the trains I saw, and while 48 ended up just 16 minutes late, I couldn't justify staying out that late. I had a hotel to check in to, and sleep needed for customer meetings the next day.

Happy Canada-Day-Week to my Canadian friends and viewers, all the best until the next opportunity I get to railfan in your country!

And a Happy Fourth to the Americans who follow my normal stuff, it'll be back to "normal" on Tuesday :-D

=====================================
2Railz equipment:

Field Recording:
Canon GX10 (Camera) -- https://bhpho.to/3vlvlBD
Panasonic HC-VX1 (Camera) - https://a.co/d/46pB12B
Zoom H6e (Audio Recording) -- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Te****le Sync -- https://bhpho.to/3paLWqI
DJI Osmo Action (Action Camera) -- https://amzn.to/3vlXTLk
Tripod -- https://amzn.to/3lNcEU9
Whistler WS1010 (Radio Scanner) -- https://amzn.to/3lZgPMZ

Studio:
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO (Video mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3DPb7mM
Zoom Livetrak L-8 (Audio mixer) -- https://amzn.to/3FQVTzo

Also in the bag:
Zoom H1n -- https://amzn.to/3DTRxpk
Zoom H4n -- https://amzn.to/3vlF1Mm
Zoom H6 -- https://amzn.to/3B4kQUF

The sun had fallen, I'd stopped to get dinner because I knew how la...

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when 2Railz posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share