N&W 1218

Norfolk & Western 1218 is a steam locomotive that at one time was the strongest-pulling operational steam locomotive in the world. The Norfolk & Western Railway built her in 1943 at the Roanoke Shops in Roanoke, Virginia, and she was part of the Norfolk & Western's "A class". 1218 was retired from regular rail service in 1959, but Norfolk & Western successor Norfolk Southern Railway operated it in excursion service from 1987 to 1992.

Today 1218 stands alongside her former stable-mate Norfolk & Western 611 at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. She sits cosmetically restored, her insides completely empty since her partial overhaul in 1992 was never finished. But 1218 does get out a bit, on rare occasions. In 2007, Norfolk Southern pulled her (cold), with 611, to the Roanoke Shops for the shops' 125th anniversary celebration.

There are many who hope that 1218 will return to steam. Doing so would likely involve expenses in the millions of pounds, and years of work by skilled craftsmen. Annual expenses of an operational 1218 would run hundreds of thousands of pounds just for basic supplies and insurance. That is not to say it could not happen, but that there are many substantial obstacles.

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• Norfolk
• Western
• 1218

[Buemmo]

isnt the Y-6 stronger? correct me if im wrong

[Kanefan701]

I'm not sure.

[shnimmuc]

We have to get her back in action. I`d donate.

[Kanefan701]

I donate too. 1218 should return. Now's a good time for her to return to the tracks of the USA.

[TheDepotCat]

If the British can build a brand new main line steam loco, {The Tornado}, I'm sure Americans can bring some of their old steamers back to life too.