Things were abuzz as NS showcased their prized N&W steamers of 1218 and 611 at Roanoke during the 1987 NRHS convention held there.

Famous class A 1218 struggles up the Blue Ridge grade with an eastbound freight while a leased RF&P EMD E8 rolls downgrade with the POWHATAN ARROW.

Norfolk and Western freight power is well represented at Shaffers Crossing. Class A 1221 faces Y6b 2173 while EMD GP9 721 sits nearby.

Class A 1210 passes between position light signals with a westbound freight downgrade to Roanoke.

Class A 1221 is steaming nicely as it passes beneath the bridge at Blue Ridge with a westbound empty hopper train.

Famous class A 1218 drifts westbound down the Blue Ridge grade with a merchandise train that will soon be in Roanoke.

Bringing an "A" back to life.

Station stop in rain.

Class A 1217 pulls upgrade with an eastbound merchandise train, probably no. 84, near the small overpass at Blue Ridge.

The engineer of class A 1216 looks back as his engine crawls upgrade behind Y6 2-8-8-2 2129 with coal. The safety valves of both engines have lifted as they near Blue Ridge station just around the... (more)

Class A 1230 sits next to J 601 at Shaffers Crossing engine terminal.

Class A 1238 rolls downgrade at a good clip with a westbound freight bound for Roanoke. This is one of my favorite shots as the fireman has just begun to stoke the fire adding contrast to the stea... (more)

The smoke from Y6a 2167 lingers as grimy class A 1219 steams through the station with a westbound freight near the end of the locomotive's run.

1218 leads an eastbound fan trip through a curve near the recycling plant at Montvale.

NW 1218 and 611 running side by side westbound through Christiansburg, VA as seen from the US 460 Business bridge. These activities were a part of the 1987 NRHS convention held in Roanoke.