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1218, 365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Chattanooga, Norfolk Western, Steam Locomotive, Virginia Museum of Transportation
As stated in an earlier post, I love steam powered locomotives. The one pictured here is the 1218. Built in 1943, it was one of the strongest pulling machines ever built in the world. I had a chance to to ride in a car pulled by her about 22 years ago. We went from Birmingham to Chattanooga and back again. Norfolk & Western decided in 1992 to discontinue the excursions and have her scrapped, but the public had other plans. She was restored to her original specs and placed on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke Virginia. I hope one of these days to travel to Roanoke to visit this beautiful beast again.
“Life Goes On!”
You should come out to Southern California if you want to see working steam. Fullerton is having their Railroad Days this weekend where ATSF 3751 is on display and giving excursions. San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and other smaller cities all have had their Railroad Days already, and next weekend is National Train Day. I shall be in at the historic Los Angeles Union Station next Saturday.
Once my health gets leveled off and I get my vacation days built back up I’m planning on traveling the US searching for these working steam locomotives. I appreciate the invite, I hope you’re planning on taking pictures of your weekend and posting them on your blog.
Looking at trains is one way I stay childlike. Just being around them is such a great feeling
You couldn’t be more right. It reminds me of my childhood when my dad would take us up the road to the nearest train crossing to view the trains as they passed. We also had a figure 8 train set that we played with as a child.