There is a concurrent Thread running here, "611 and NS Filing for Divorce". So at the risk of starting a competing topic; I would like to ask some question and possibly jar some memories around here in this Thread.
Do any posters here remember the genesis of the Original Southern Railway's Steam Excursion Program?
* It was kicked off in 1964 by the late W. Graham Claytor who was a V.P. at Southern Rwy, and then AMTRAK. The very first locomotive brought into the program was bought from a Kentucky short line RR and sent to the Shop in Birmingham to be overhauled and put to work...It became the SR #4501. It was followed by a couple of larger locomotives ( Needed to pull the larger consists demanded by the popularity of The Program.) They were N&W #611 and N&W 1218. Then in 1994 we became aware of the following Headline [as one among the many stories]:
"NORFOLK SOUTHERN PLANS TO END NOSTALGIC STEAM LOCOMOTIVE PROGRAM" By Don Phillips October 29, 1994
Linked here@ https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/10/29/norfolk-southern-plans-to-end-nostalgic-steam-locomotive-program/18caf343-d584-4a5c-bde7-ed3e68cd4da1/?utm_term=.fc528569d8ca
And then 'The Program' was given 'new life' by Wick Moorman in 2005. #4501 was brought back by the Tenn Valley RR Museum, and along with its' #630 and it would also include NKP #765. Unfortunately, #611 was late to the party in 2015(?). And in Dec of 2015 it was announced that the Program's major goal of getting its fleet around to most all the system was accomplished, and #611 would be the last steamer to remain operational on the NS system. The rest of that story is contained in the contents of the other Thread mentioned above.
Does any one else remember ALL the different locomotives that have participated in the Steam Excusrion Program? If any one can post photos of those engines it would be a real treat for other Posters.
Here is a PDF that will list participant locomotives in the SR/NS Steam Excursion Programs @
https://docs.google.com/file/d0B1OKYu1Kyj9ETVV1SVYzb3o2dHc/edit
[**List is 6 pages long!..and most builders are represented, even Doncaster.]
This is the only one I saw:
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
This guy...
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
And this guy....
Here is a link to a photo of an Americanized "Flying Scotsman". It was taken in 1971 as she came out of storage in California ( Ft. Lathrop) where she was in sort of a protective custody situation, as Alan Pegler's fortune and fortunes dwindled.
@ http://www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sharpe-army-depot-lathrop-jack-neville-1024x675.jpg
Wonder how many British Fans ever visualized #4472 with a big Pyle Headlight, Bell, and cowcatcher w/ foot boards?
I was fortunate to see her in action as part of the SR's Program and 'chased' her for a short distance coming out of Birmingham, Al. as part of her 'tour'.
I was on the Flying Scotsman when the train was in Penn Station. It was hard to get used to the headlight and "cow-catcher". I was in the National Railway Museum in York in 2004 where it was in the shop, a guy let me take a closer look at it and I saw that it has a retractable knuckle coupler on the rear of the tender. He said that was required for the North American trip and they never thought of removing it so left it in place.
My commission as a Marine First Lieutenant was signed by then Secretary of the Navy W. Graham Claytor.
At the time, aside from him being "Mr. Secretary" I had no idea who Graham Claytor was. I sure know now!
The only way anyone's getting that commission from me is if they pry it from my cold, dead fingers!
Firelock76 My commission as a Marine First Lieutenant was signed by then Secretary of the Navy W. Graham Claytor. At the time, aside from him being "Mr. Secretary" I had no idea who Graham Claytor was. I sure know now! The only way anyone's getting that commission from me is if they pry it from my cold, dead fingers!
The Graham Brothers cute a wide swath in this American Railroad business. To them, and the management team at NS, and its predecessors they gave us thirty more years that we would not have enjoyed.
As well, the folks at UPRR that have also brought their locomotives across this land almost coast to coast scenes and enjoyment for new generations to enjoy.
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