After conquering the 3.0% grade of the Old Fort Loops, westbound 135 takes a breather as it coasts past some spectacular fall color at Swannanoa.
135 chugs up Yadkin Hill with a stringer of catfish at the helm.
Train 135 has made it to the second tier of the Loops about 100 feet above the valley it just left. To get a feel for the loops, click Railroad: Norfolk SouthernLocomotive: EMD SD70MLocation: North Carolina, USALocomotive #: NS 2589Train ID: NS 135Photo Date: November 03, 2007
Mounting an assault on the Southern Loops beneath some nice folliage.
A Linwood to Chattanooga mixed freight is seen here passing a small Christmas tree farm leaving the Piedmont behind and heading into the hills.
The hills are on fire with color as NS 135 roars into the first of the famed Southern Rwy. Loops just west of Old Fort, NC. In about five minutes, the train will gain enough elevation to pass whe... (more)
The battle is almost won as NS 135 fights through Swannanoa Gap nearing the summit of the beautiful Blue Ridge at Ridgecrest as seen from high above along Hwy. 70.
Late day light illuminates westbound 135 as it passes an old Southern whistle post.
Westbound 135's battle with the Blue Ridge Mountains is almost over as it approaches appropriately named Ridgecrest.
Westbound 135 approaches the famed Old Fort Loops as it passes Drendon.
Westbound freight 135 passes Andrews Geyser as it battles the grades of the Southern's Old Fort Loops.
A pair of young fishermen observe the passage of 135 along the Tennessee River.
9085 runs long hood forward across the Yadkin River after leaving Linwood Yard with 48 cars. The intended lead engine was sidelined with mechanical issues before departure. 9085 will turn on the... (more)
135 on the first leg of it's long journey with 2 Dash-9's, a UP SD70M, and a SD60.
