New on the head end, old on the bottom..Juxtaposition on the VA Div

[E.M. Bell]

I am slowly working through some of the hundreds of frames from our 4 day marathon in Roanoke at the end of October, and thought I would share a few of them.

These are a mix of the new and old, shot on the Virginia Div, Christiansburg District, Winston Salem District and the Roanoke District. High Res versions of these images can be found at this link. http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/nsvadiv11eb

An Eastbound slop freight passes the CPL's at Lurich, VA, between Glynn Lynn & The Narrows. 10/20/11



A pair of brand new GE's (and Two more shoving on the rear) are about to top over the steep grade at Starkey VA. 10/22/11



A Southbound train with BNSF power runs down the valley towards Roanoke, seen here at Lithia, Virginia  on the Roanoke District. 10/23/11



These next 5 are of something you just don't see much anymore. A freshly painted N&W caboose on the bottom of a special empty coal train. We where shooting the good power on the other end of the train, but I couldn't help myself, and kept shooting the rear as well. The end of a train with a FRED hanging there is the modern way, but this is much more photogenic.

North of Troutville VA 10/23/11



Ellis Run VA..A classic scene, and then a pan shot.





Crossing the James River, at Natural Bridge VA



Downtown Roanoke, with the old N&W General Office building in the background.

[Badhorse79]

Very nice!

[steveiez]

Any reason for the caboose?

[Badhorse79]

I believe tbat was the 30 train that was ran for a photoshoot at Roanoke a week or two ago! 

[E.M. Bell]

As for the reason for a spit shined crummy on the back of a train, Badhorse is correct. It was a train with vintage power in correct paint on the head end, and a cabb in correct vintage paint on the rear.

I have plenty of shots of the other end as well, but doubt anyone would want to see those, after looking at the rear end. 

[Kentucky & Indiana Terminal RR]

Awesome pics, that was always my favorite part about the pal when I started, we still used cabs, real ones, not the outhouses on flat cars we have now. Nothing adds flavor and nostalgia to cut of cars like a crummy, ever notice that even one with a rough paint job adds character to a train? Whoever redid this one should be proud, gorgeous piece of rolling history.

[E.M. Bell]

I am still slogging through the processing on this stuff, but here is a little peak at the OTHER end of this train, for those that might like GP30's

Southbound at Solitude VA 10/23/11