Late in the steam era on Southern Railway, Ls-2 simple 2-8-8-2 4050 works the Bristol local upgrade just west of the crossing at Sunbright, VA. The grade is nearly two percent at this point. Both compound and simple 2-8-8-2s worked the tonnage coal trains on this division for many years, although the debute of "Big Sid"--an A-B-B-A set of F3s--in 1947 was the beginning of the end for steam. The last of the big engines ran here in 1952, and Southern was officially all-diesel the following summer. Natural Tunnel is just three miles ahead. (Rodney H. Peterson Photo)