***On the morning of July 30, 1987, we're on NS's Christiansburg District outside of Christiansburg VA to chase N&W Class A 2-6-6-4*** [***#1218***](https://www.deviantart.com/tag/1218) ***on her trip from her hometown of Roanoke VA to Bluefield WV. Soon, we caught the 1218 & her train racing along at 40 mph, heading for Bluefield. The Class A was only months into her excursion career with NS, but was already making a name for herself, with her stint at that year's NRHS Convention in her & 611's hometown of Roanoke VA, her debut excursions out of her hometown, & trips all across the NS System including Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, & Ohio. So, it's safe to say, the Class A was making a name for herself in excursion service. In addition to excursions, during the NRHS Convention in Roanoke, the locomotive hauled a 50 car Coal Train over Christiansburg Grade, while 611 hauled the excursion consist during a side by side show battling the grade. Coming up behind the Camera is a Norfolk Bound Timed Freight, led by 3 Ex-N&W SD40-2's, which the Excursion would pass, shortly after passing our camera's. The train would arrive in Bluefield, that afternoon, where the consist would be handed over to the 611 for the return to Roanoke. 1218 would haul a 16 car Coal Train back to Roanoke, later that evening. Today, the 1218 is on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in her hometown, Roanoke VA. Hopefully, the sole surviving 2-6-6-4 Articulated left in the world, would get another chance at excursion service in the not to distant future.***

The Class A and the Timed Freight - July 30, 1987