Photographer- Bruce Nelson- from my personal collection.
August 22, 1982 in most circles related to steam railroading was former N&W J Class 611's day in the sun to triumphantly return under steam to her birthplace of Roanoke, Virginia.
But before that could happen, on a hot and hazy August morning, a polished SD40-2, 6141 was tasked with bringing extra coaches, mostly filled with school children to Lynchburg from Roanoke to be added to 611's consist for her final run to her iconic birthplace.