After getting another short bath in a thunderstorm, NS Train 957 with N&W 611 on the point is thundering past the classic, and soon to be removed Norfolk & Western Bracket CPL Signal at CP Concord on the NS Blue Ridge District.
Although the real "Cavalier" #15 ran through here about 0400, it doesn't take much imagination to think of this place at night in 1951 as the same engine charged through with a train of the same name.
2015 went down as a banner year for steam fans along the Norfolk Southern thanks to the 21st Century Steam program. I applaud the Virginia Museum of Transportation, and Fire Up 611. Also if it weren't for the donors, this wouldn't be possible, and the NS and VMT are doing an outstanding job executing these excursions that would have been brushed off as a pipe dream a decade ago.
This was an amazing experience to say the least. After a couple goodbyes it was time to get back in the car (a rented 2015 Chevrolet Impala) and make the non-stop 16 hour drive back to Kansas City (since I was to go on duty on a yard job in 18 hours).
Locomotive: NW 611
6-14-15
Lynchburg, VA
