Need Help Identifying Mystery N&W Audio Recordings

[NW Mailing List]

Hello list,



Yesterday I remastered three reels of N&W steam audio from the collection
of Kenneth Gear. Link below:



https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IinBl8dGyqwavF_73ZNNePkZVNHgjshS?usp=sharing



The reason I’m posting about this is because I need help identifying
details about these recordings that are not explicitly mentioned on the
tape boxes. Two of the three files in the folder I linked are on-train
recordings. The boxes for these reels were simply labeled “N&W” and “N&W
from Salem”. Below are some written details/observations about these two
tapes:



The reel marked “from Salem” starts with a class J 4-8-4 likely departing
Salem, Virginia. The engine quickly accelerates and runs at high speed
continuously for about 19 minutes. The reel ends with the engine stopping
at the next station. My guess is that the train is the Cavalier, though
I’ve no idea which direction it’s heading. My question is, which station
was next after Salem and did the Cavalier have to run for a long distance
to reach said station?

The next reel opens as the train is accelerating out of what I can only
assume is the station which ended the first reel. As the engine climbs
upgrade, a Time Freight likely powered by an A drifts downgrade and rushes
passed the microphone. The J runs continuously for about 7 minutes before
stopping at the next station. The recording stops, then starts again as the
engine again departs with pop valve going full blast. The engine continues
its journey for the next 9 minutes, going through a few tunnels along the
way. The reel ends midway through the engine’s run.

The third reel, labeled “N&W 1221 & 2144”, begins with A #1221 accelerating
a coal extra out of an unknown location as a thunderstorm is rolling in. Y6
#2144 is the helper. My question for this recording is, at which points
east or west of Blue Ridge did A’s handle coal extras without a Y6 lead
engine, but with a pusher at the rear? Such info may give us a better idea
of where this recording was made.



If anyone here can take a listen to the files I linked and provide further
insight, that would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,



Eli Santin
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