Thanks for the fine posts Q.

Hinton is west and just a wee bit south of Staunton, not the other way around. That may have been your map problem. The FFV was headed east toward Staunton so it only makes sense that Foster was going home, although as you rightly point out, the term "deadheading" can apply when travelling without working in either direction. My best guess is he was headed home possibly due to a crew shuffle on the Board or he had "outlawed" although that rarely was enforced back in those times....far more after the unions became stronger.

Spaw