N&W 1218, "Steam People" 1988

Steam People documents the Restoration & the 1987 Excursion Season of Norfolk & Western Class A 1218. 1218 (which was leased by the Norfolk Southern Railroad from 1987 - 1996, for usage in the Southern Steam Program) was used extensively from 1987 to 1991 in excursion service for the Southern Steam Program until it was pulled from service for a much needed overhaul. Following the conclusion of the Southern Steam Program in 1994, 1218 was put back together & towed back to Roanoke & eventually was put back on display at the Virginia Museum Of Transportation in 2003.
For those interested in learning more about 1218's time in the Southern Steam Program, please consider watching the Southern Steam Program Documentary (also on the channel):
• The Story Of The South...
This 20 Minute promotional film was put together by Commonwealth Films of Richmond, Virginia for NS & was one of 2 promotional films created for NS (documenting the revitalization of N&W 1218 & N&W 611, for usage in the famed Southern Steam Program.) The other being "Going Home", Produced in 1983 for NS (covering the restoration & Homecoming of N&W 611.), which can be seen here:
• N&W 611, "Going Home" ...
This film (along with Going Home from 1983) was available for purchase, directly from Commonwealth Films on the VHS, Betamax, Video 8, Umatic & 16MM Film Video Formats.
As of 2023, this film & Going Home have yet to see a remastered edition or a re-release.
Nickel Plated Productions does not lay claim to the ownership/copyright of this program. Ownership/copyright belongs to Commonwealth Films. This has been uploaded in an effort to preserve its historical contents.

[@dwkcamman611]

Excellent program!

[@grahamsawyer831]

don't know why, but 1218 has it over the Big Boy; certainly the most mournful howl to that whistle. 6000hp, what a beast

[@JRossHunter]

I'm sorry for this very late reply to your request about my 1218 video (Chasing N&W 1218 in Southwest Virginia). You Tube thought it was spam and didn't post it. I didn't know to look for "blocked" comments. All the blocked comments were legit and I approved them all. Again, sorry I missed it when you wrote.

[@NickelPlatedProductions]

That's understandable, thanks for reaching out

[@mmandmcb14]

Fun Fact: footage was used in Shining Time Station.

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

In which part appear?

[@joeidaho_]

Who is that adorable, happy little girl at 9:08? I bet after all these years have passed, she’s all grown up now! I gotta wonder if she still remembers seeing the 1218 under steam?

[@ethanarmitage5611]

❤

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

i saw 1218's Stoker .

[@zacharycalgher3978]

Norfolk & Western Class A 1218’s stoker would be removed if it was converted from burning coal to oil. It would also be awesome if it was donated to the RRHMA for operational restoration like Union Pacific Challenger 3985.

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

@@zacharycalgher3978 ooh an Oil burner yes/

[@baileyjanssen8911]

Does anyone think it’s possible for them to restore it again

[@steamgent4592]

Back when NS was a good company. David Goode and the rest really "$hit the bed" when they shut down this PR program..........

[@regularguy7266]

To be fair, they had some valid reasons to shut down the steam program in 1994. First of all, W. Graham Jr. and Robert B. Claytor, the brothers responsible for starting and maintaining the steam program, passed away during 1993 and 1994, so new leadership was needed. However, there was a surge in freight traffic along Norfolk Southerns system, limiting when and where the steam locomotives could run. There was also a switching accident in the yard in Lynchburg, Virginia, where 9 passenger cars were damaged, 2 deemed unrepairible. And to top it all off, the insurance for the steam program rises from $10 Million in 1993 to $25 Million in 1994, with another increase to be had if the steam program operated in 1995. It was an unfortunate series of events that led to the end of the program.

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

@@regularguy72661829 was totaled IIRC

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

@@regularguy7266 1218 is gonna be an Oil Burner.

[@eugenewallace5952]

Do you think they will ever restore 1218 again? To run the main line.

[@douglaswilliams8882]

when is there going to be 587 video

[@NickelPlatedProductions]

I already put out a Documentary on 587, back in April of 2023