Forest, VA - N&W rails: Townsfolk on the left, railfans on the right, everyone was out to see the big gal come home to Roanoke on May 30, 2015. The closer she got to Roanoke, the bigger the crowds... (more)

The big gal heads north on the Southern mainline during her famous May 30, 2015 homecoming run to Roanoke. Seen here at Scientific Street, High Point, NC.

Norfolk and Western Class J #611 pulls "The American" excursion east past Linden en route back to Manassas from Riverton Junction.

Norfolk and Western Class J #611 leads an excursion east through The Plains, Virginia.

Museum staff enjoy the view as the 611 is put through her paces during the second round of the 'At the Throttle" program.

The 1218 is turning its train after an excursion to Fremont, Ohio.

The 1218 is westbound on the last leg of a circle trip from Roanoke north along the Shenandoah Valley line, east on the old C&O James River line to Lynchburg, and back to Roanoke.

N&W 611 descends the famed Christiansburg grade on its trek back to Roanoke on a rainy 3 July.

The N&W 611 thunders by CP "Lee" at speed.

My first time seeing the Norfolk & Western 611 ply the rails was an experience that I'll never forget. After chasing the mighty "J" on her test run from Greensboro, NC and back, I caught... (more)

After turning its train on the Christiansburg Wye, N&W #611 runs through the many winding curves on its journey back to Roanoke during the 4th of July weekend excursions.

Deep into my first "real" long-distance train chase, I was trying to find my way around rural Virginia, in a totally unfamiliar area- and I was going at it alone. Although I probably cou... (more)

The Southern/NS steam program ran trips from Alexandria, Virginia to Charlottesville every year. The southbound route offered a lot of well-lit locations, but the return trip, with its mid afterno... (more)

Charlottesville-bound, N&W 611 is easily handling its long train as it storms out of Culpeper, Virginia. Our vantage point is the U. S. 15 overpass.