The locals have shown up to see the steam engine, but all eyes seem to be on the diesels while the fire-breathing monster simmers behind them. I’m not sure of the exact sequence here, but the 1218 had brought some freight from Roanoke on a ferry move, and was now on the south leg of the N&W wye in Lynchburg, Virginia, waiting to for an Alexandria – Lynchburg excursion to arrive on the Southern main. The big 2-6-6-4 would return the passengers to Alexandria, and the FP7’s would get back north either light or on another freight move. The 1218 was a fan favorite, but its length prohibited the use of most turntables on round trips, making NS have to plan logistics centered on where wyes were available.
