A magnificent steam locomotive, N&W Class A 1218 on its way to Bluefield...

[timvpost]

What happened to this locomotive? where has it retired to?

[FilipinoZeroFighter]

wait, those round signals are from B&O right? or will some good guy greg correct me?

[1jackdk]

@FilipinoZeroFighter Those are the N&W position lights. They are slightly different than the B&O. The PRR also used position lights. Same principle, but all different. I am sure I have each style of positon lights in my clips somewhere. I am a BIG fan of old railroad signaling, and have a restored B&O position light signal in my yard, which also shows up in some clips. If you type in "RAILROAD POSITION LIGHTS" In Google search, you will find tons of information on the different types of lights .

[FilipinoZeroFighter]

@1jackdk i wish i had seen one in operation. in my country, PNR (Phil. Nat'l Railroad) used to operate two and three- color signals and a couple of semaphores but due to disuse they were all scrapped. only one remains in the main terminal station in Tutuban, it's a 2-color signal with the red light smashed out. old but still standing. haha. but let me tell you that i think steamers could have been one heck of a sight. i sure wish i had seen one in operation.

[atsf7809]

the engine has better adheasion because it only has twelve small drivers so you have a higher axle loading. the z5 doesn't have the extra axle upfront and has a bigger firebox to carry the load. 1218 has more adheason at 20 miles an hour and has an advantage on the curvy lines in the mountains

[AndyRDG1175]

Love the whistle! Especially echoing off the mountains....Really brings back memories of my time working for the Steam Program in '89 and '90.

[OliverAndDuckFan1]

This is beauty. with 611. Im wearing a 1218 shirt right now. It would be the happiest day of my life to see them running again :(

[trainfan844]

i like thost whooter whistles

[atsf7809]

not the biggest but this engine has more power than the bigboy but the yellowstone Z5 takes the cake as the most powerful steam locomotive in the world and the bigboy is the largest.

[nyshortline]

@atsf7809 More power than a Big Boy?? I think the Big Boy has an unfair advantage with 2 more sets of drivers (2-6-6-4 vs. 4-8-8-4) for adhesion. I see the Class A as comparable to a Challenger (4-6-64) with only one less pilot axle.

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

Jack, this is beyond commentary limits. That N&W hooter whistle echoing through the valleys, is amazing. The sound of a steam engine hard under a load with that chug and roar is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing such an amazing piece of history, a great memory of yours and keep them coming!! Thanks again for posting!!!

[tprdfh51]

Check the stupid railfan at 1:26 who is kneeling by the mainline (with a young child!) completely unaware of the diesal powered freight approaching him from behind. Even when he turns around to follow 1218 as it passes he seems to ignore the approaching mainline train. This is a prime example why railroad crews loath railfans.

[irishmanO1]

great video

[bagelboi66]

I didn't realize that steam locomotives were so huge. It must be a heck of a sight up close. Great video as always thanks.

[1jackdk]

@bagelboi66 That is a Big, Beautiful, Gal!!! But not the biggest in the world. The Union Pacific Big Boys are even larger than these Class A's locomotives Thanks for watching.

[Air0374]

That whistle is amazing.

[1jackdk]

@Air0374 Yes it is!!! I have that whistle set up as a ring tone for my railroad friends. Thanks for watching. Jack...

[CarNutandTrainNut2]

Thanks for posting this Jack.......brings back a ton of memories from chasing and riding the Southern and then Norfolk Southern's steam program......

[1jackdk]

@CarNutandTrainNut2 Those where the days! Great memories. Thanks for watching.