Lighting the Way

A Norfolk Southern locomotive "lights the way" through downtown Abingdon, Virginia after a fresh snowfall in Southwest Virginia.

Clinchfield No 1

The Clinchfield No 1 was built in 1882 and has been owned by numerous railroads. In 1913, it received its nickname "No 1" when it was leased to the Black Mountain Railway. In 1955, No 1 was sold back to the orginial company, now known as the Clinchfield Railroad, who then sold it to the town of Erwin, TN. It was restored in the Erwin Shops and in 1968 began running railfan excursion trips through the Clinchfield area for ten years. A cracked frame ended her active life in June 1979. After a thorough cosmetic restoration she was generously donated to the B & O RR Museum in March 1981.

Prince Depot Platform

The platform of the railroad depot in Prince, West Virginia... still an active Amtrak stop today. Built in 1946 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in the retro style of the day. It was built as a prototype for later train depots for the C&O Railroad. Standing on this long platform is a real step back to a time when passenger rail service was at its peak.

Prince Depot

The railroad depot in Prince, West Virginia... still an active Amtrak stop today. Built in 1946 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in the retro style of the day. It was built as a prototype for later train depots for the C&O Railroad. Standing on the platform is a real step back to a time when passenger rail service was at its peak.

Durango and Silverton No 480

DescriptionNarrow gauge locomotive No. 480 under full steam and ready to roll on an exursion from Durango to Silverton.

Durango And Silverton No. 473

Durango and Silverton narrow gauge railroad locomotive No. 473. This 2-8-2 class K-28 steam engine was built in 1923 and still pulls excursion trains today for the Durango and Silverton railroad.

Polar Express

A CSX freight train barreling through Apex, North Carolina in a fresh snowfall. Apex, was so named because it was the highest point of the Chatham Railroad between Jacksonville, Florida and Richmond, Virginia.

Winter at the Depot

New fallen snow on the old train depot in Apex, North Carolina. Built in 1914, it has been restored and is now used as the office for the Apex Chamber of Commerce. Apex, was so named because it was the highest point on the old Chatham railroad line between Jacksonville, Florida and Richmond, Virginia. The tracks are now a heavily used main line for CSX railroad.

Irish Creek Railway

A remaining section of the Irish Creek Railway disappears into the deep woods at milepost 34 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

Steel Molly No 433

Norfolk & Western No. 433, class M steam locomotive (4 8 0). This engine ran on the Abingdon branch of the Virginia Creeper line between 1952 and 1957. This line ran 55 and one half miles between Abingdon, Virginia and West Jefferson, North Carolina. No. 433 was retired in 1958 and moved to its present location for display as a reminder of those venerable days of steam power.

Steam Power

The driving wheels of Norfolk & Western No. 433 that ran on the Abingdon branch of the Virginia Creeper line. This class M locomotive was built in 1906 and retired in 1958. It now sits preserved for all to see at the Trailhead of the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, VA.

Mountain Legend

Driving wheels of the restored Virginia Creeper No. 6 in the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke, Virginia. This is one of only three steam engines that remain that previously ran on the Abingdon branch of the Norfolk and Western railroad.

Tracks of Roanoke

The "Tracks of Roanoke" that mark the history of the Norfolk & Western Railroad that was headquartered in Roanoke for most of its 150 years.

Norfolk and Western 2156

Norfolk and Western No. 2156, built in 1942 at its Roanoke, VA shops is only slightly smaller than the Union Pacific Big Boy. This massive 2-8-8-2 freight hauler was in the second in a series of 16 class Y6a "Mallet" locomotives. It was capable of 5600 drawbar horsepower at 25 mph and a top speed of 50 mph. Upon its retirement in 1959, it had logged over 1 million operating miles. It is on loan to the Virginia Museum of Transporation from the St. Louis Museum of Transportation

Steam Ghost No 6

Virginia Creeper steam locomotive No. 6 that has been cosmetically restored and is proudly on display at the Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia. Built in 1897 by the Baldwin locomotive works, this steam engine (2-8-0) was used on the early days of the Abingdon Branch that ran from Abingdon, Virginia to Elkland (now Todd), North Carolina. Three steam locomotives that ran on the Virginia Creeper line still survive - No. 6 in Roanoke, No. 7 in Bluefield, West Virginia, and No. 433 in Abingdon, Virginia.

Wabash 1009

No. 1009, an E8A diesel locomotive was built in 1951 for passenger service on the Wabash railroad. The characteristic blue and silver nose on this engine earned it the nickname, "Bluebird". No. 1009 pulled such notable trains as the "Wabash Cannonball", "The City of St. Louis", and the "The City of Kansas City" during its time in service. Norfolk Southern donated No. 1009 to the Virginia Museum of Transporation in Roanoke, VA after it was retired in June 1967.

Big and Little

The era of steam, on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia. In the foreground is No. 6, the Model G, 2-8-0 locomotive that ran the Virginia Creeper line from Abingdon, Virginia to Elkland, North Carolina. In the background is No. 2156, the Model Y6A, 2-8-8-2 locomotive, that ran primarily in the mountainous areas of the Norfolk & Western railroad network on the east coast. No. 2156 is the sole surviving example of that Model locomotive that was built.

Modern Steam 611

Norfolk & Western, No. 611 - The "Spirit of Roanoke", a J-class steam locomotive that was built in 1950 at the Roanoke shops and still used to run railroad excursions today. Photo taken in Spencer, North Carolina at the North Carolina transporation museum.

Norfolk and Western 620

Norfolk & Western GP-9 diesel locomotive No. 620 was built in 1958. It pulled both freight and passenger trains with No. 620 restored to its passenger engine color scheme. It was donated to the NC Transporation Museum by Norfolk Southern upon its retirement in 1985. Sitting behind it is a Southern railroad bay window styled caboose.

Green Cove Station

Built in 1914, the Green Cove Station served as a depot, general store, and telegraph office for the Abingdon Branch of the Norfolk and Western railroad - otherwise know as the Virginia Creeper train. It was made famous by an image captured by the reknowned photographer O. Winston Link entitled "Maud bows to the Virginia Creeper" in October 1956. The last train ran by this station in 1977 and the tracks were removed by the end of the following year. Green Cove Station has been preserved and is now a visitor's center for the Virginia Creeper biking / hiking trail that runs from Abingdon, Virginia to the North Carolina State line.

Rural Retreat Depot

The fully restored train depot in Rural Retreat, Virginia. A famous O. Winston Link photograph was made next to this depot in the late 1950s.

Virginia Creeper No 7

Virginia Creeper steam locomotive No. 7 pulled trains on the Abingdon Branch of the Norfolk & Western railroad in its early days. Built in 1897, these 2-8-0 locomotives were replaced with larger, more powerful engines as soon as they were available for the Abingdon branch. In its later years, No. 7 was used on a branchline from Bluefield, WV to Honaker, VA. It currently resides in a city park in Bluefield, WV.

Hinton West Virginia Depot

The old railroad depot in Hinton, West Virginia. Built in 1904, it still serves the Amtrak main line. You can board a train here three days a week and be in downtown Chicago or New York City in 12 hours. As an added benefit, as you wait for the train, you can hear the gentle flow of the New River as it meanders around the town just on the other side of the trees to the left of the tracks.

Full Steam No. 1702

The Great Smoky Mountain railroad locomotive No. 1702 under full steam and pulling an excursion train into the Nantahala Gorge in North Carolina.

Locomotive 1702

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad steam engine No. 1702 under steam on an excursion through the Nantahala Gorge in North Carolina. Built in 1942 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the US Army, the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad crew has lovingly restored and maintained this piece of history for all to enjoy!

Cornelia Depot

The restored train depot in Cornelia, Georgia. This depot is located in the heart of downtown Cornelia at the junction of the former Southern and Tallulah falls railroads. CSX is now using the old Souther railroad line. The Tallulah Falls railroad, which ran to Franklin, NC, shut down operations in the early 60s. An effort is being made to convert the right of way into a hiking / biking trail, similar to the Virginia Creeper trail on the former Abingdon branch right of way of the Norfolk and Western railroad

Clinchfield No 800

The first diesel locomotive acquired for the Clinchfield railroad in 1948. It was fully restored and put back in service to pull the 75th running of the Santa Train in 2017. The paint scheme was the original colors that were used when No. 800 was first put into service in 1948.

Chuckey Depot

The restored Chuckey Railroad depot in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Built in 1906 by the Southern Railroad, it was moved to Jonesborough by the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society when the depot was facing destruction. It is now a railroad museum situated within easy walking distance of downtown Jonesborough. Adjacent to it is a fully-restored Southern railroad caboose.

Southern Excursion

The Southern Railroad FP-7 diesel locomotive powered up and ready to pull the excursion train at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. This engine, built in 1950, was used by Southern Railroad to pull branch line passenger trains throughout its network. It was donated to the museum in 1980 and fully-restored.

Bristol Train Station

The restored railroad station in Bristol, Virginia was built in 1902. After passenger service stopped, it was used as a shopping and dining venue and then left empty. It was purchased by the Bristol Train Station Foundation in 1999 and lovingly restored. The station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Bristol is trying to restart passenger rail service again via Amtrak, as Roanoke succeeded in doing in October 2017.

Abingdon Train Depots

The depot in the far background was built in 1870 and now houses the "Arts Depot", an artist cooperative. The "new" depot in the foreground was built in 1912 and until recently was occupied by the Historical Society of Washington County. They have since moved to another location in Abingdon in hopes that Amtrak service will begin from Abingdon in the future. Both depots have been fully restored.

Virginia Creeper No 433

Norfolk and Western steam locomotive No. 433 in Abingdon, Virginia. A 4-8-0 engine, built by Baldwin locomotive works in 1907, it did service on the Virginia Creeper railroad, near the end of her service life. Affectionately known as "Molly", because she was a Class M locomotive, she was retired in 1958 and donated to the town of Abingdon, where she resides today. Only two Norfolk and Western class M locomotives survive today - the other still operates on the Strassburg Railroad in Strassburg, Pennsylvania.

Cooper Creek Trestle

The Copper Creek trestle near Clinchport, Virginia. The taller of these two trestles stands at 167 feet and was the tallest trestle on the east coast when it was built in 1908 by the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railroad. CSX railroad now owns the tall trestle and Norfolk Southern the shorter trestle. They were built to create quicker access to the coalfields of southwest Virginia and southeast Kentucky.

Fannon Train Museum

The Fannon train museum located in Duffield, Virginia, the smallest incorporated town in Virginia. The museum is actually a replica depot that was used as a prop in the movie "Coal Miners Daughter". In the movie, it had a sign on the depot indicating that it was in Van Lear, Kentucky, which was the closest town to Butcher Hollow, where Loretta Lynn grew up. The depot was donated to Kenny Fannon in 1980 after the movie production was finished. The caboose previously belonged to Norfolk and Western railroad and was donated to Kenny Fannon in 1989. It was built in 1940 in the Roanoke, Virginia shops.

Hendersonville Depot

The Hendersonville, North Carolina train depot. The Craftsman building was built in 1902 and was the second depot on site. It was used for passenger service up until 1968 and now houses the Apple Valley Railroad Club. The train-themed barn quilt on the near end of the depot was painted by the Quilt Square Girls, of West Jefferson, North Carolina.

Callahan Tunnel

The Callahan tunnel on the Powell River trail in Appalachia, Virginia. The 255 foot Callahan tunnel was constructed in 1891 to permit the Louisville & Nashville railroad to traverse the mountains in southwest Virginia. It is now part of the Powell River trail, which comprises a 1.2 mile paved trail, two tunnels, two bridges, and a wealth of history. The trail will eventually be expanded to Big Stone Gap providing hiking and biking opportunities between these two towns.

Pelver Blue Caboose

The NW 518 644 C31P model caboose restored on the Backstreet of downtown West Jefferson, North Carolina. Built in 1971, NW 518 644 was in service for 33 years and traveled throughout the entire Norfolk and Western network. After retirement, it was purchased by a businessman in Bristol, Tennessee where it spent 11 years before being moved to West Jefferson, North Carolina. Restoration was completed due to the generosity of local citizens and contractors, who donated cash, materials, and labor. The caboose has been painted in the Pelver blue color theme that dominated the Norfolk & Western railroad between 1963 and 1972.

Steam's Up 611

Steam's up for the Norfolk and Western 611 at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. Built in 1950, this class J, 4-8-4 steam locomotive is restored and operational again and ready for future rail excursions. She is a glory to behold when she is at full steam!

Full Steam 611

No. 611, the class J, 4-8-4 locomotive at full steam at the North Carolina Museum of Transportation in Spencer, NC.

Waiting on the 611

Waiting to board the 611 special in this posed shot at the Barber Junction of the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC.

Waving to the 611

Waving to the Engineer of the 611 in this posed shot at the NC Museum of Transportation in Spencer, North Carolina.

The Elkins West Virginia Depot

The New Tyggart Flyer pulled up and ready to roll in front of the Elkins, West Virginia Train Depot. Built in 1908 by the Western Maryland Railway Company this depot is beautifully restored and used for excursion trains.

Iron Logging Horse

The Heisler No. 6 steam locomotive that pulls the Durbin Rocket excursion train from Durbin, West Virginia. This engine, built in 1929, was used for logging operations and has never been out of service. About 850 Heisler locomotives were built by the Heisler Locomotive Works of Erie, Pennsylvania. Approximately 32 survive today. The Heisler is unique in that it has one cylinder on each side of the boiler slanted inward at a 45 degree angle, powering a longitudinal crankshaft. The drive shaft is geared only to the inner axle of each truck with the outer axle coupled by wheel cranks and side rods. It also has a very neat whistle!

Guest River Gorge Tunnel

The railroad tunnel on the Guest River Gorge trail highlighted by vibrant fall color. Formerly built by the Interstate railroad to access coal fields in 1922, it was used by Norfolk and Western (later Norfolk Southern) railroad until 1988. The 5.8 mile rail bed was then donated to the State and converted into a beautiful hiking and biking trail along the Guest River.

Santa Train 2018

The Santa Train departs from St. Paul, Virginia after Santa and the crew distributed gifts to the waiting children. Since 1942, the Santa Train has run from Shelby, Kentucky to Kingsport, Tennessee, with many stops in between. It is all about bringing holiday cheer and joy to the children of Appalachia!