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The Shenandoah Railroad obtained a gentle rolling profile following its namesake Shenandoah Valley through Virginia avoiding the Blue Ridge to the east and Allegheny Ridge to the west with two exceptions. Here is one. The Roanoke Valley at its southern terminus and Shenandoah Valley to the north are separated by foothills of the Blue Ridge. From a connection with the main stem of the Norfolk and Western in Roanoke, the route of the Shenandoah Railroad climbs along Tinker Creek to the foot of Tinker Mountain before turning east and following Buffalo Creek to a summit at Nace. Seven degree curves and stretches of 1.4% ascending grade were required on both the northbound and southbound climb to Nace. Norfolk and Western installed US&S Position Light block signals on this division in the 1920s and operated trains using a timetable schedule and train orders. Although Norfolk Southern is gradually replacing the hundred year old signal hardware, some remains. What is today Norfolk Southern’s Roanoke District acts as a secondary mainline predominately for manifest trains.
An early January storm left measurable snow over much of Virginia. Snow continues to fall as northbound Roanoke, VA to Enola, PA NS manifest 12Z grinds up the 1.4% grade past the base of Tinker Mountain at Troutville, 3.6 miles from the summit at Nace.
The technology contrast in this scene is large. Although they are now driven by coded radio messages rather than a hard wired code line, the original US&S Position Light signal hardware protecting the 5942’ siding beginning at Troutville and ending at Kinsey continues function after 100 years. Lamps of the position light simulate the positions of an upper quadrant semaphore signal blade first sold by US&S in 1881. They were placed in service 30 years before N&W acquired their first diesel electric locomotive. Current micro-processor controlled AC propulsion locomotives, including those on Norfolk Southern, are equipped with GPS and communication for Positive Train Control, radio remote control (Distributed Power), energy management cruise control (Trip Optimizer), and remote monitoring and diagnostics.
19th October 2018. LMS 8P Princess Coronation 4-6-2 No.6233 Duchess Of Sutherland approaches Ramsbottom with the 14.30 from Rawtenstall. The East Lancashire Railway was holding its annual Steam Gala with an intensive timetable.
L&Y Class 27 0-6-0 No.52322 sits in the sidings with its shuttle train. The L&Y engine is only due to leave Ramsbottom [for Bury] at 15.10; and will enter the station after Duchess Of Sutherland has cleared the station herself.
After beginning its climb at Cloverdale, 12Z nears the top of the grade at Troutville. With only 2 out of the 5 motors online, they slow to a crawl as they go head to head with gravity.
NS 201 knocks down the vintage CPLs at Sampson with a partially complete C6M leading.
19th October 2018. With a Royal Scot headboard, LMS 8P 4-6-2 No.6233 Duchess Of Sutherland waits for the signal at Bury Bolton Street Station, to begin her service to Heywood. The East Lancashire Railway was holding its traditional Autumn Steam Gala were the Princess Coronation engine was the star guest.
40Z southbound through Valley Head
40Z southbound at Keener
