3170 at 50
The very first SD40 that was purchased by the Southern Railway Nº 3170 is living Its glorious years in retirement at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum for the public to see. Nº 3170 is a perfect example of advance locomotive technology in the railroad industry in the mid to late 1960s, and early 70s. The SD40 would take center stage as the locomotive of choice eventually replacing the 3,600 horsepower SD45s. Many of the SD40 series locomotives like the 3170 would make a 30+ year career in the rail industry till some were sent off to be rebuilt and the other were placed into retirement by it’s original owners. 3170 was retire from the Norfolk Southern active roster in 2007, making a triumphant return in 2014 as one of the ambassadors for NS public relations. The locomotive was donated to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in 2016 temporary being used in revenue service till mechanical issues took a hold in 2017. It's the night of July 2021 and, at the age of 50 the very first SD40 on the Southern Rwy get an opportunity to shine even for a moment..
A special Thanks to the employees of the Tennessee Valley Railroad for making this setup possible.
Railroading is a 24 hour a day business, that never sleep. From sunset to sunrise the railroad must run. These image are taken by some of the best rail photographer out their.
Selected photos of locomotives, passenger cars, and rolling stock in the Southern's livery as well as other assets once belonging to or used by the Southern.
A continuously growing album of photos that IMHO reveal the awesome and seldom-seen beauty of the railroad world from the dimming of day to dawn's early light! From dusk to dawn, trains roll on! (I'm still finding gems of sunset-to-sunrise surprises!)