Southern, N&W and CR GP30's in Roanoke..a Jreb exclusive!

[E.M. Bell]

In late October of 2011, Norfolk Southern was already making preparations for its 30th birthday, which would not be until 2012.  The "21st Century Steam" program had just kicked off the month before in Chattanooga, the famed 4610 was still wearing her green paint, and the idea of 20 new locomotives to be painted in heritage colors was still just an unconfirmed rumor.

Part of the preparations included gathering a trio of "real" heritage engines in Roanoke for a special photo shoot, to obtain material that would be used this year during the birthday celebrations.  Norfolk Southern "borrowed" 3 EMD GP30's from various historical organizations, including Southern Railway #2594 from TVRM, N&W 522 from the Roanoke NRHS (in a brand new paint job), and Conrail 2233 from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania..

While this gathering of iconic GP30's was not intended to be a public event, NS set up a public night photo session at the O. Winston Link museum, which was well attended. On Sunday October 23rd, the railroad operated a special photo train from Roanoke to Glasgow VA over the former N&W. The train departed Roanoke early that morning with freshly rebuilt SD40-2 6103 (former N&W) leading the 3 GP30's and a train of brand new coal hoppers that had just been released for service, and a N&W caboose in fresh paint on the rear. Stops where made at several scenic locations to allow for multable photo angles of the train, with the highlight (for me anyway) being the trip back to Roanoke, with the Southern geep leading!

Carmon and I where lucky enough to join a few good friends in Roanoke for the event, and came away with some spectacular images. At the request of NS, most of these have not been publicly seen until now, and the ONLY place you will see them is here on Jreb.  NS always seems to put on a great show, and a lot of folks put in some mighty long hours and hard work to prepare for the event, and I want to thank them all!

Both of our images have been combined into one gallery on Pbase (over 70 in all), and you can see them all by following this link. Take a few minutes to check them out if you will...its almost like stepping back in time a couple of decades..     http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/nsroanoke30th

GP30's from CR, SR, and N&W in the evening sun at the link museum in Roanoke.


N&W 522 leads the train near Solitude Virginia


A N&W caboose brings up the rear of the photo special near Ellis Run Virginia


Southern 2594 leads the train back to Roanoke, seen here at Solitude Virgina.


Arriving back in Roanoke after an awesome day!

[chipallen16]

EM, I've always loved those shots. You and Carmon did an awesome job!

-Chip 

[srman]

Some fantastic images that you have there Emmett. Well done!

[E.M. Bell]

Thanks for the comments guys. It was an honor to have been invited to participate in that trip...I will take GP30's over new engines in old paint jobs any day of the week!