Found this during my surfing. Probably rare footage of her running. She was once written up as the ugliest pacific or something like that in trains. I think she is quite nice myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLjKMMl32KM

I agree. While the 578 is not a Ps-4 or A&WP 290, I don't have a problem with her appearance, but perhaps I'm biased being an N&W steam buff. Although I think the Lost Engines of Roanoke 4-8-0's are probably some of the least attractive N&W steamers (I do like the looks of the original M's 433 and 475 though). Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled that in 2010 they've managed to be saved from the scrappers torch and continue to look forward to seeing photos of the progress on their cosmetic restoration.

I'd love to see 578 steam again and hear it's 3-chime hancock whistle like all of the J's, K2 and K2a's and other N&W passenger power carried from the 1940s onward.

But the term "ugly" is a very subjective matter of opinion. I know people who think the 611 is downright ugly. I'm a big fan of Reading T-1's, but have heard a number of degrading comments about them. I'll admit I wasn't the biggest fan asthetically of Milwaukee 261, but admit I'm going to miss it even though I never saw it in steam during the course of the past 16 years. I don't personally care for the appearance of the U.S. Army S-160s but thought GSMR's 1702 looked a lot better with it's rearranged front end and while TVRM 610 is not an S-160, I think it looks better with the taller smokestack and cab as well.

No, not 578. Rather, Trains (or rather, author Ed King, in the Feb. 1985 issue) nominated a sub-class of Pacifics, Class E-2, that I think N&W inherited from some predecessor or subsidiary.

See here for a previously-discussed nominee for the award:

viewtopic.php?start=0&t=21887&topic_view=flat

"Twilight of Steam locomotives" talked about that engine as the only N&W engine running at that time...

Actually the 578 is an E2 4-6-2 which was built for the N&W by ALCO in 1910. The N&W did purchase 5 K3 Pacifics with Belpaire fireboxes from the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1930s that they reclassified as E3, but were retired not long afterward partly because of their 80 inch drivers which were larger than the N&W preferred. There is some black and white footage of a stationary E3 as well as some color film with sound of 578 operating solo and doubleheaded with sister E2a 563 on Herron Rail's video Pocahontas Glory Volume 5 which focuses on the passenger power of the Norfolk and Western Railway.

Recently I had DVD's made from some old 8mm home movies, and one them has shots from my 1977 visit to ORM, including 578 steaming down the track and crossing the bridge that as I recall ORM rebuilt or re-installed over state highway 161. At one point, ORM's Baldwin-Westinghouse freight motor was added as a "helper" and I got the impression that 578's days of operation were rapidly coming to an end. One streetcar the members were especially proud of was Columbus 703, which had been restored from a "chicken coop" and was running that day. It is reportedly still operable, but the body has deteriorated over the years. Appearing briefly in the show are Chicago "L" cars 4441 and 4449. I had a bit of fun telling people about my "4449 in Ohio" movie; after a few snide comments I would admit that it was not SP 4449. I did not visit ORM again until 2007, and it was disappointing to see the condition of many of the cars. However, I understand the organization is taking steps to "deaccession" some of the cars and hopefully get the remainder into better shape.

So what is the status of the 578 now? I heard that she was for sale awhile back, but now that doesn't seem to be the case. FWIW, she gets my vote as one beautiful engine.

Charlie

First of all, there is no such thing as an "ugly" steam locomotive, despite Mr. King's opinion. Even those that are less pleasing to the eye, I consider as "having character"! The original appearance of the E-2 class N&W Pacifics was one of those "less pleasing" looking locomotives and that is the example Mister King referenced. But over the years, the railroad modified their looks. I agree that they were quite a good looking 4-6-2 at the end of their careers. The 578 can come run on our museum trackage anytime!

Les

Nobody commented on the demonstration of mailbag pickup in the video. Also a rare exhibit among museums. Anyone have a functioning mail pickup demonstration?

I saw that too. Yes, it needs to be done, so the public can see. I buy and sell model trains on EBAY, and the folks at the post office know me. One day I showed them a brass model of an RPO car, and nobody there knew such things ever existed (the real ones).....I'm talking 25 year postal service veterans. As this type of service ended nearly 40 years ago, it's no wonder nobody knows.

ORM first dug a hole and poured concrete to make the base for the pole. It didn't work, after a few pickups, the concrete cracked. The end solution was to work some switch ties under the track and bolt the pole to the ties. That appears to be my father picking up the mail in the photo.

Bob

Wow - ended 40 years ago?

I remember very well sitting in the car with my dad waiting for the North Coast Limited to come thundering through town. It seemed to happen so quickly. Very soon the train was gone, the bag I saw on the pole was gone, and there was another bag lying on the platform.

Warm memories.