Saw this pair of lost cars still lettered and marked for the Southern. Even after all these years. http://www.trainboard.com/highball/...pe-photos-for-all.81841/page-116#post-1055312
Decades ago in the pre-graffiti era, I saw an SOU boxcar spotted in our warehouse where someone had read what you posted and then chalked "As They Dam* Well Please." below it. Funny stuff from a more mannered time.
Looking back at the '60s and '70s, the Southern Railway was likely the strongest system in the east and one run with excellence. (N&W fans could make a case too.) Guys like Brosnan, Claytor and Crane left a legacy of invention and success in safety, operations and ratemaking. The Southern really did Give A Green Light To Innovations. Graham Claytor's pride in the road even extended to its passenger service, as evidenced by his refusal to join Amtrak. Yep, I miss the SOU.