Last steam recording

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Jeff,

Is it possible to get a copy of this recording, maybe in CD format?  Are
record copies still available somewhere?  I see Link's records showing
up on ebay occasionally (I've picked up 2 dupes of ones I have 'cause
mine are getting worn out from playing!).  I know the Society has all 5
on CD and I need to get them.  Having other N&W records converted to CD
would be great.

Re: Mr. Jackson, there is a picture of "Walter Jackson, Asst.
Trainsmaster, Norfolk Div." on the back of Link's "Thunder on Blue
Ridge" record.  A date of 4/18/59 is given for the color cover shot at
Boaz.  I suspect that timeframe was when Link's recordings were made, so
it's likely that the May date Mr. Sherry mentions is accurate.

Jim King
Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc.
www.smokymountainmodelworks.com
 
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Subject: Re: Last Steam on Norfolk Division - maybe
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Aubrey, Ken, Gordon & others,

When I read about your recollections of the 1214, something triggered my
mind regarding a sound recording I have of the last days of steam.

It is EXTRA 1235 EAST, by Allan Sherry.  This 33 1/3 RPM record was
recorded March 25-26, 1959, at Blue Ridge and Thaxton, with some station
switcher movements at Roanoke passenger station on the 26th.

Mr. Sherry, in his "liner notes" gives two dates, which, at first, seem
to be contradictory.  I'll give them to you as written, and each of you
can interpret them as you wish, or use them to pursue "your final
answer"! 

Quote, "The last steam powered, regularly scheduled freight operation on
the main line was between Crewe and Roanoke, with locomotive 1214, on 99
extra 1214 west, May 18,1959"  

Then in a later note Mr. Sherry says, "The last double headed steam
locomotive over Blue Ridge grade went over on May 18, 1959, with extra
1234 east, the 1234 and 1218 winding up the wonderful tradition of
double headed steam over this famous grade.The last steamer to operate
over the hill with a fire in her was the 1214 ten days later."

Both the "last regularly scheduled' and "last double headed " could have
been on the same date, as they describe two different type of movements.
Then he mentions the "last...with fire in her" was ten days later (May
28,1959).  To me this says there "may" have been other extras, i.e., not
regularly scheduled, during those ten days.  And he doesn't say what
kind of movement the 1214 was making on the 28th.  Regardless, that may
well have been the LAST steam movement (extra, deadhead, etc.).

Mr. Sherry mentions (thanks) two people for their help. 1) Mr. Walter R.
Jackson, N&W Ry., and 2) Mr. John M. Robinson, Jr.  I think Mr. Jackson
as an N&W official (TM or RFE). I don't know if Mr. Robinson is the man
I knew years ago or not.  If anyone knows him and he's still around,
maybe he could shed some light here.

Sorry to go on so long, but I hope this helps!

Jeff Sanders


  J