N&W steam locomotive 1218 fills the air with smoke as it exits Bramwell.

[foroke1]

I wonder if electric locomotives will ever take over diesels??

[Hendo56]

The Young Turks came in after the Claytor Brothers retired from NS and just up and ditched the steam program. Sold the aux tender and the cars, and put 1218 and 611 back in a museum. I'm lucky my father is a train buff, and we rode a lot of these, including the 1218. She was awesome!

[dwkcamman611]

Awesome!!!

[cusanusnicolas]

I watched them many times in the early 50s in Montana, 2-5 yoa, also would watch the yard worker huff and puff and cling and clang all day as it chugged back and forth. A nice dream it would put you in. But then they were all gone.

[MrPnisHead]

Amazing.

[Willysmb44]

Oh how I miss her. I was lucky enough to ride behind her at mainline speeds at night, will never forget the exeprience, it was like being inside a O Winston Link photo!

[muzzavideos]

Great Video

[Bassfanatic94]

The N&W's Class A's would own the UP Challenger up grade and down around a curve or on a straight track hands down. The Class A were breed for speed and they definitely made their full potential. There are some nice photos in the book called The Last Steam Railroad in America. This book highlights the Class J, Class A, Class Y. All of the photos are by Winston Link.

[shininghappyperson7]

wow thats a great location i love that locomotive even if i never see it running!

[TheDepotCat]

Great footage of what was once an everyday event.

Will 1218 and the J Class ever run again..?

Oh yeah - Love that whistle.

[steamjunkie]

The question I would like answered is. Aside from the legal,insurance,boiler regs and NS management are all of her important pieces still there if the day comes for her to be put back to operational status once more?

[NWPowhatanArrow611]

Well, the 1218 was in pretty rough shape when NS got it in 1985 and some of the front piping to the cylinders was missing and had to be fabricated. I imagine with drawings that still exist of the class A's and enough money (lots of it) I wouldn't say it's impossible, but finding someone who'd be willing to spend that much cash is doubtful, and unless Norfolk Southern's attitude towards steam changes, I don't look for it and the 611 would probably be a better candidate if things were to change.

[Weiberts]

Do they still run her?

[1jackdk]

No Will!!! Sorry to say. Thanks to NS scraping their steam program. It was in the process of being rebuilt for more runs, when NS said forget it, and they handed it over to the museum in peices. That was the end of that. It can be viewed at the Roanoke Museum. Take care, Jackmp294

[Weiberts]

What a rip! You have to give UP thumbs up for the 844 and Challenger.

[1jackdk]

Yes you do!!! 844 is the only steam locomotive that has NEVER been retired. Thanks to UP. Jackmp294

[trainkids]

@1jackdk Well the reason why they cancelled the steam program was because they didn't have enough money to continue it. But I have some good news for ya. NS is going to start a new steam program!!! No joke!!!!!!

[tweetsie12190fan]

@1jackdk  i think they should have given them to the UP

[TheSterlingLoopTroop]

@1jackdk you have got something wrong the Roanoke Museum is actully called the Virgina department of transpotation mueseum!

[whatihave2do]

They pulled the 1218 out again this weekend as part of rail fest. Is sitting at the O. Winston Link Museum right now. I saw it on my way home tonight.

[sneadfootball]

Only if I was old enough or really around when these locomotives were running lol. Great Video Jack!!!

[1jackdk]

They where a thing of beauty Troy. Its got to be my all time favorite engine. She was something to see in action for sure. BTW... Get your CPL shots, Tommy told me the signals from C-ville to reduction are replaced, and next is Jacks Hog Pen west. So the signal may be gone by summer. YAHHH, gone in my yard. I hope LOL ... Take care, Jackmp294

[robmasterman]

Absolutely brilliant video Jack, beautifully captured piece of Railway history...Thanks for allowing us to see it...5* Bob

[hoolg]

Amazing video. This is likely the most famous of 1218's trips for this location and the moment you and many others caught. Thanks so much for bringing back the wonderful memorise of this great locomotive.

May she rest in peace and (EXTREME wishful thinking) maybe one day be reresruected.

Thanks for sharing!

[owlking149]

Thanx fur sharin'!

[iusetano]

Excellent video!!!!! That is one for the history books(video). Thanks for sharing.

[cuzinitr]

Thank god you were there with the camera bud! 5/5 Rich