Then … Seaboard Air Line at Main Street Station circa 1950

Seaboard Air Line's Q-3 2-8-2 #407 leads a northbound freight through Richmond's Main St station in this circa 1950 shot by J.I. Kelly. The photo was taken from the Chesapeake and Ohio's JN cabin. JN cabin was a tower that controlled train movements in Main St station. The C&O preferred to call their towers "cabins". Mr. Kelly was an agent for the C&O. Perhaps he was on duty at JN cabin this day and snapped this shot as the SAL train rolled through.

Now … CSX at Main Street Station in 2018

This is a more current view of Main St station showing a CSX freight rolling through on the old C&O side of the station in August 2018. The station is an active Amtrak station and has daily service on the Newport News - New York route. The train shed has been recently restored and serves as a convention center. Photo courtesy of Charles Curley III.