Nostalgia & History > N&W #611 turning on the Alexandria Wye (Part 1)

N&W #611 after an excursion run is turning on the wye at the NS Alexandria, Virginia wye track on July 18, 1989.  NS yard and diesel shops gone and the land was developed for government offices and a courthouse.  The old Southern roundhouse can be seen in a few shots, this was used by a lumber company at the time.  (Part 1) 

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Oh my.   A few groans there.  The wye just barely big enough for the J....and the A.   Almost keep expecting to hear a large pop followed by a gian thud as the rail rolls and the engine drops down.  Cool video.

This was the old Southern yard in Alexandria.  It is now the site of the Federal Courthouse and Patent Trade Office complex.  There was a few older cars stored there as well.  A couple RF&P heavyweight baggage cars, a Southern RPO and a boilerless tank steam engine that was used at the PEPCO electric plant near old town Alexandria.

Those ties sure wear creaking and popping.

Great video! That's one event that cannot be repeated with the new program.

According to what I know from Steam's Camelot, this was the outbound NRHS convention special from Asheville. I think 611 hauled it Salisbury - Alexandria.

When did they close the NS yards in Alexandria?

Mark H.

DRGWMark Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Great video! That's one event that cannot be
> repeated with the new program.
>
> According to what I know from Steam's Camelot,
> this was the outbound NRHS convention special from
> Asheville. I think 611 hauled it Salisbury -
> Alexandria.
>
> When did they close the NS yards in Alexandria?
>
Early to mid 1990's. Earl is out...

DRGWMark Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Great video! That's one event that cannot be
> repeated with the new program.
>
> According to what I know from Steam's Camelot,
> this was the outbound NRHS convention special from
> Asheville. I think 611 hauled it Salisbury -
> Alexandria.
>
> When did they close the NS yards in Alexandria?
>
> Mark H.

Yes, this was the return trip.  After they closed the Alexandria yard, steam locomotives only went as far as Manassas.  The excursion cars were hauled to/from Alexandria to Manassas by NS diesels.