Norfolk and Western class J number 611 storms away from a crew change at the Hurt Connection near Alta Vista, Virginia. The temperature was still in the teens, highlighting the steam exhaust. Built after the NW+SOU merger in the 80's, this connection provides a more efficient routing of trains from the Roanoke area along the former Virginian mainline onto the former Southern mainline into the Carolinas. The old recognizable CPL signals will soon be replaced with modern signals to conform to Federal mandates for PTC signalling. The J was on a deadhead run from the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, where it will receive further mechanical work to prepare it for this year's excursion train runs. The consist included the J, the auxiliary water tender, two tool cars, and two coal gondolas. Photo by Casey Thomason. For more information about Norfolk Southern, visit www.nscorp.com
