Farewell to Steam on the N&W

[NW Mailing List]

I am reminded every time I mount a long, black locomotive which belches 
black smoke and numerous noises, some more pleasant than others. 
Unfortunately, no modern diesel, no matter how shiny and new and 
powerful, can ever take the place of a proper locomotive.  A stubby 
plastic reverser is a poor substitute for a Johnson bar, and a conductor 
a poor substitute for a fireman as companion (no offense to your son, 
Jimmy; I've worked with him, and thing highly of him).

What I found especially interesting about this post, however, was that 
268 diesels were considered enough to handle all the traffic on the 
system.  Compare this with NS today, which has several thousand units, 
and almost all of then with much higher horsepower than any available in 
1958.

Kenneth Rickman

NW Mailing List wrote:

> Must we be reminded again of this tragedy. R H

>