When I worked in NVA for 6 years I biked the C&O Canal from the Monocacy River to Harper's Ferry at least a dozen times a year. Great views at Harper's Feery, also at Point of Rocks and Brunswick. Thanks for the memory!
I dug this one out to submit to the 4449 group for their calendar, but it wasn't of sufficient resolution. Taken back in 2004 when 4449 ran to Montana. This was in Sandpoint, ID on the night before 4449 picked up her train for the excursion.
Sand Springs Railway train, rolling at a stately 10 MPH on its former interurban track enroute to the BNSF interchange in Tulsa.
After her excursion to Bend in 2012, and maybe the Holiday Express, I didn't go that year, she entered her 15 year/1472 hour inspection. It has been ongoing since. They had to replace a complicated piece of the firebox/combustion chamber structure and I am not sure of the status of that. Everything else is about done and they hope to be steamed up for the September light rail opening near the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, and then to run Holiday Express, as 700 will be in her 1472 inspection. Photo from December 2013.
Thanks hoyden and all. One of these weekends I want to take the family and hike up to Maryland Heights on the other side of the river to look down on Harper's Ferry and get some of those classic eastbound train shots from far above. My wife and I railfanned the B&O in this area in the early 90s looking for the last of the line's famous manned interlocking towers and had a fine time. This remains a fast and busy railroad.
It's got a full head of steam. I see at least one of the safeties has lifted. Amazing how load that can be on some locos.
That's one good-lookin' Shay! Nice to see that they're taking care of 4449 like an airplane in a C-check. And there's an awful lot of plumbing under that sleek shell!:wideeyes:
April 2013, Balcony Falls, VA on the C&O. I love the timelessness of this location, so worked the photo in black & white.
Wow. Nice looking depot. In surprisingly good condition. I fear it will eventually be lost to the bulldozer. I'm sitting here holding a "Chessie" era train order form from my collection, copied at Balcony Falls.
I can picture a mixed local going through there with a Mikado or Consolidation on the point... beautiful photo!
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the rebirth of Norfolk and Western 611. She is back in steam and actually running back and forth on track at the Spencer, NC roundhouse. My shot is from 1993 at Appomattox, some 22 years ago.
She has nice curves, that 611! And a truly imposing presence, but still she looks like she can run fast. Gorgeous.
