Back when freight moved on this grade a northbound train is preparing for the climb. Excuse me if I don't show up to see the bicycles. Photo by Leroy Robl. From my collection.

Over the top...History made! For the first time ever, on October 25,1992, N&W 611 and her five car consist conquered the famous Saluda Grade in Western North Carolina to the delight of hundreds o... (more)

Fog and rain was no obstacle for this westbound NS train as it ascends the 4.7% grade of Saluda with a SD50 leader.

Slide scan of NS coal train 720 as it makes it's way down Saluda grade at MP35 [Melrose] The head end just past the run away track on the rear is P90 Pushers helping bring the train down the grade

The signal down along Pearsons Falls Road, about half way down the Saluda grade, stands lone on another empty night in the North Carolina mountains.

15 years and counting. The dwarf signal at the West End Saluda is dark, as it's been for the past 15 years as the grade sits silently in the North Carolina mountains.

WORTH NO SLEEP (copyright Tj M. Murrah)

The northbound signal at Melrose, located at the bottom of the abandoned Saluda Grade, sits darkened as it has since 2001 with a crisp, starry night sky overhead. A special thanks to Charles D... (more)

With Orion and his belt standing guard in the dark sky, the impressive figure of Norfolk Southern's inactive signal at Melrose, the bottom of the Saluda Grade is also quite a presence.

There are those events to which we can look back and say "I'm glad I was there". This was such an event. "We don't need no stinking diesels!" Up the steepest mainline grade... (more)

Belmont coal train coming through Saluda, NC

They have made it to the top of the grade.

Part of a westbound train struggles up Saluda Grade. They are about halfway to the top.

Part of a westbound train approaches the west end of Saluda Siding. There they will couple with the first of their train brought up on an earlier trip.

Another section of train #171 works up Saluda Grade.