Happier Times at Happy Creek Norfolk & Western 1218 storms though the small settlement of Happy Creek, Virginia with an Alexandria – Front Royal excursion. Since the 611 ran here... (more)
Without the 1970’s GM iron inconveniently parked in sight of this vantage point, this could easily have been a scene from the 1950’s in rural Virginia. In fact, Norfolk & Western 2-6-6-4 1218 ... (more)
Norfolk & Western 2-6-6-4 1218 drifts past a well-manicured lawn in Belvoir, Virginia with an Alexandria – Front Royal excursion. The landowner here allowed the train to unload for photo runbys... (more)
Norfolk & Western 2-6-6-4 #1218 leads a Birmingham (AL) to Columbus (GA) round trip excursion eastbound. #1218 was built by N&W in 1943 at their Roanoke shop
The 1218 on the point of a southbound NRHS Special, nearing Lynchburg and crossing the James River on the massive old Southern Railway bridge
N&W 1200s were not used on the Shenandoah Division north of Roanoke in the days of steam because of their lack of cab signals. But here's the restored 1218 in 1990 on a circle trip out of Roanoke... (more)
Passing through the remains of the Southern yard at Monroe, Virginia, N&W 1218 pulls some Roanoke=bound freight.
N&W 1218 rolls south through Shipman, Virginia with a short freight train. The A is on a ferry move between Charlottesville and Roanoke.
Continuing on its “deadhead” move from Charlottesville to Roanoke, Virginia, N&W 1218 saves some diesel fuel for the company, bringing some freight through Covesville, Virginia. In four days, ... (more)
One of the little publicized aspects of many N&W 1218 excursions was what happened when the destination did not have facilities to turn the huge 2-6-6-4. On this day, the A had led a long excursio... (more)
1218 and 611 begin their famous side by side run up the Christiansburg grade for the 1987 NRHS Convention.
Look what's in the back yard! The family dog appears to pay no attention as 1218 blasts around one of the loops heading for Asheville, NC.
Railfans line the overhead highway bridge to get an early morning shot of 1218 leaving Asheville eastbound.
The mighty 1218 has a clean stack as it rolls south on the old Southern Railway mainline. Note the fans cramming the Dutch doors.