Having not seen steam since the 611's December 1994 ferry back to Roanoke for the last time I can say I was excited about this trip. When I heard that whistle blowing in the distance once again sent chills up my spine! All of those great memories came rushing back. When she finally rounded the corner after listening to the stack talk, well..that was pretty special.
I'll keep this short and let the shots speak for themselves.
Here SOU 630 climbs the grade south of the Hilltop intermediate signals.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_6905copy.jpg&hash=1beea09884fad3b375747e7103d1888d041fbf7e)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_6912copy.jpg&hash=52805a7b388ee78131771281014f0ae573034f37)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_6916copy.jpg&hash=62b4bb00946657dc06ce4f3ad0cd0cef2d069a59)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_6926copy.jpg&hash=88c39e03d5a5e3035e335fbaf6f3879daffef163)
The train took the back leg of the wye onto the K lIne in Greensboro. I decided not to try and catch her coming around there but get a head on shot coming through the cut of trees along Spring Garden St. Thought the first shot looked better in B&W..
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_6958copy.jpg&hash=a6d5dc9adc3ca0ed1aa92abb1371dfc028f7a2d1)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_7201copy.jpg&hash=b59553c1eae03a86f7b710ef6ac97969ddd64d44)
I zoomed out to Kernersville to catch her again. By this point I was pretty unfamiliar with the route and possible shot opportunities, so I took what I could get. She was at track speed (30 mph)here, whistle blasting and the slug set just along for the ride.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_6978copy.jpg&hash=f58a7a787d0fece00fba22f42b95eafe73c8194e)
The last shots are in Winston-Salem looking down on the WSSB interchange.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_7026copy.jpg&hash=c558c37497c141280033953a5415ccd2cd82ad04)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1009.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf220%2Fmbgphoto79%2FIMG_7029copy.jpg&hash=92abdfc449f57acad902fe5783f99eda751e8805)
Thank you NS and all of the men and women who made this all possible, especially in 2012!
Love the B&W photo! It looks like it could be from the 40's or 50's... except for the CWR! :)
Great shots. I hope to have a few on here by tomorrow.
Paul
Great shots. I will hopefully have this nice wether when she comes to Bristol.
Awesome shooting Matt! Looks like you have a good trip, and thanks for sharing with us. I am looking forward to the next Two weekends in VA and TN with the 630...hope we have as much luck as you did.