The addition of N&W 1218 to the NS steam roster created several changes to the annual two-week excursion schedule in northern Virginia. Usually four Alexandria – Charlottesville round trips were carded, but the C&O turntable in Charlottesville could not handle the length of the big 2-6-6-4. Instead, the first of the four trips ran south to Charlottesville behind Southern FP7’s, with the A making a deadhead move, usually with a few freight cars, from Roanoke, so the excursionists could ride behind steam northward. The second trip of the first weekend and the first trip of the second weekend went from Alexandria to Front Royal, where there was a wye. On the final Sunday, The 1218 was on its way back to Roanoke, taking the excursion to Charlottesville with the FP7’s returning the passengers to Alexandria. Here the final northbound trip slows for a station stop at Manassas. The oppressive July heat in Virginia has prompted the crew to open the nose door to get some air flowing through the cab.
Selected photos of locomotives, passenger cars, and rolling stock in the Southern's livery as well as other assets once belonging to or used by the Southern.
