Some photos of no. 475 have already been posted, but in case you missed them or want to see more, the online gallery is at

http://www.steamspecials.com/nw475


Many thanks to Linn Moedinger, Jim Rice, Rick Musser, Kelly Anderson, Steve Weaver, Dave Hoffman, and all the other fine folks working at the Strasburg. Thanks also to Dave Dunn and Kurt Bell at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, for letting us use the turntable.

No. 475 will be running as shown until her winter annual work. The plan is to return the headlight and bracket to its pre-makeover look, and leave the N&W lettering in place.

One more, simply because I obsessed for a year about getting this shot:

Simply amazing.

After spending 4 years in Blacksburg biking the path of the former Blacksburg Branch I always wondered what an M with freight train would look like rolling into town. Now I have a picture ;)

Glad to know it still happens from time to time even if it is in PA and the freight cars are empty......

John, very, very nice. Thanks for posting the pics and the link.

With such fine photos available on the internet for free, there is little point in my even owning a camera. It would be interesting to see various photos of the 475 through the years.. I believe at one point it had a 6-axle tender and at another it had an oil headlight and fake diamond stack, as the N&W's ceremonial engine.

Well, somewhat empty ... X475 was hauling 481 tons. Like most folks we keep parts and junk in our cars. And the one hopper was loaded with some 50 tons of stone ... =o)

Ah well, you got me there. However I know what you mean since our Climax just logged a few miles on Sunday with a half a refer load of hay and heisler parts.......

Virginia Tech has some 475 photos online, but I can't recall where they are. There's one of 475 on the main approaching Christiansburg (centered headlight, footboards, 12-wheel tender), and several of the tarting up for the Roanoke anniversary and NRHS trip in 1957.

Otto Perry caught 475 in Roanoke in 1932 - that photo is available at photoswest.org.

JAC

The Virginia Tech Image Data base has all the pictures you need (well almost)

http://imagebase.lib.vt.edu/

Search using keywords like 'Class M steam engine', 'Huckleberry' and 'Blacksburg' may even get you some where if you don't mind wadeing thru all the downtown photo's.


Note what appears to be a push pole under the 475's tender.....

Not Really 475 as far as I can tell but it captures the spirit.....

475 is a pretty engine. I think it looks good in it's current look, but I think it would look a little better if it was in it's 1950's look. Of course, thats just my opinion.