Norfolk & Western 1218 pulling freights

[@thunderbird1921]

1218 may have sadly only had the chance to run for about 5 years, but my goodness did she leave an impression on folks during her time on the rails!

[@infaredxkingz8786]

Actually 1218 is a western challenger

[@robertdipaola3447]

1218 with its mighty steam whistle sounds like a wild animal coming right at ya!!!-- thanks for this great show

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

We watched the Awesome A travel right past our home one summer. The earth shook when this marvelous machine rolled past. Unforgettable experience.

[@alecbutler2450]

This is by far the finest display of steam-hauling freight trains I have ever seen in modern times.

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

I live for the pacing shots… thanks for taking the time to convert these! It brings back ALL the memories!

[@09JDCTrainMan]

611 is a beauty queen for sure, but 1218 can literally handle about any job given to her. The very definition of versatility.

[@rickcarmichael4661]

Best video of her at low throttle where you can here all the exhaust notes at 12: 15. Great video!

[@lowellvillerailfanproductions]

N&W is truly the only steam engine that knows how to sing

[@James-Railyard]

The Reading steamers would like to share some words. The 6-Chimes are very comparable to the N&W single’s.

[@inncognito7194]

The engineer had this old girl laid out. I assume this was before they decreased the speed limits. The harder he pushed, the better she ran without any objections. They must have had her up to 50, or more. I always admired this raw technology, designed in the day when you had to draw it on paper, and make it work before it would be constructed. So sad to see this passing of a truly great era of steam.

[@kleetus92]

at 7:09 I was trying to count strokes and looks like she was doing about 224 rpm, with 70 inch drivers, that almost 47 mph. Good guess.

[@kazanu23]

Unfortunately this was after the Great Dismal Swamp incident in 1986 with the 611. 1218 came out just a year later, so hitting the speeds 611 and the other pre '86 engines hit wasn't possible for the 1218 and other engines who came into the latter years of the steam program. Still, a great show nonetheless.

[@FranTheTrainfan]

1218 really hauled some good freight trains

[@thunderbird1921]

As did UP 3985, who could forget the time she highballed with a 143-car stacked container train? I admire Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific for having the courage to truly test the strength of their big steamers in the modern era.

[@FranTheTrainfan]

@@thunderbird1921 You are totally right

[@jonizornes5286]

I wish I could go back in time and watch when the A's and Y's ruled the N&W ! I have many of the DVDS to watch, but just standing near the tracks when they go by must have been something else! The Y's carried the freight from Roanoke and Bluefield over the mountains, headed West, and then at Williamson, the A's took over at higher speeds on to Portsmouth and Cincinnati. The N&W had over 450 articulated A's, Y's and Z's in their history. Many, if not most, made in their own Roanoke shops!

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

Just subscribed. I seen a interview on WDBJ, remembered the name. Been up to Goshen twice, really nice.

[@interstellarphred]

Watched it race a "J"; what a butt ugly machine, but when you are on a heavy train it was pulling, it just sprinted up the side of the mountain. The beauty is in the performance!

[@wobblinwheel]

I wonder where the round, brass plates (Builder's plates?) went? I don't see them on there. They were on each side of the smokebox...🤔

[@s16100]

Great memories.

[@ArnoldwMace]

First time seeing this thanks for posting

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

What year was recorded? 1987 or 1988?

[@1jardmadman]

Wonder how many miles it took from that estmated 10mph roll up to 45-50mph chugg she was doing? Awesome video.

[@bov634]

not many. I'm willing to bet she was rarely challenged

[@briansmith-l1q]

nice to see a 'double' with out it being big boy.

[@bov634]

I've said before and I'll say it again...whos got a few million and 100+ miles of mainline with 79 mph trackspeed. It'd be something to see her pulling maximum allowable tonnage.

[@johnhirtle4300]

Date?