Nostalgia & History > mundo: N&W Steam in 1957, part 2: Shaffer's Crossing

October 16, 1957

Roanoke, VA was not wanting for roundhouses in 1957. Besides the two roundhouses located at Norfolk & Western's Roanoke Shops in the eastern part of town, N&W had a third roundhouse in West Roanoke at Shaffer's Crossing, and would acquire a fourth when they merged with Virginian in 1959. The Shaffers Crossing facility is where we pick up with the slides taken by Ed Von Nordeck, TO user mundo, during the Pacific Railroad Society trip that visited to Roanoke in October 1957.

1. Shaffer's Crossing looking west from the roundhouse toward the coaling tower (the Norfolk & Western Historical Society site uses the term "coal wharf" for this and similar facilities). The competition is already in evidence on the left, but for the moment, steam is also abundant. That's a Class Y6 2-8-8-2 eyeing us on the right.

2. A view of the other side of the coal wharf looking east.

3. Just to get them out of the way, here's the assortment of less-than-a-year-old EMD GP9's hanging around the south side of the facility. The newest one, 780, was just five months out of La Grange.

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4-5. Steam aplenty west of the coal wharf, including 0-8-0's, 4-8-2's, and 2-8-8-2's. I'd be appreciative if someone could explain the function of that large curved duct visible in photo 5 just to the left of the streamlined locomotive (which for the curious is K2-class 4-8-2 #118).

6. The duct is also visible in the background of this view of S1a-class 0-8-0 #204 and a sister.

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7. A closer look at K2-class 4-8-2 #118 as it exits a "lubritorium," a structure N&W built for rapid lubrication and servicing of steam locomotives between runs. The 118 was built by Alco as a USRA Heavy 4-8-2 in 1919, and streamlined by N&W just after WWII.

8. And a broadside of K2a #135, another USRA heavy 4-8-2 built this time by Baldwin in 1923. It was likewise streamlined by the railroad in the mid-1940's.

9. A representative of the type we're more used to seeing in that streamlined styling, Class J 4-8-4 #604 built at Roanoke in 1941.

The next installment of Ed's photos will continue this series at Shaffer's Crossing, featuring articulateds and more.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/17 04:53 by Evan_Werkema.

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Amazing images of N&W's Shaffers Crossing facility obtained by Ed Von Nordeck! Were these Kodachromes-the images have retained their color quite well. Appreciate your efforts in sharing them with us.

Yessir, Ed was shooting Kodachrome - gray slide mounts with red lettering.

Thank you for sharing. These are beautiful, beautiful images of a time gone by!!

The color is magnificent!

A similar structure seems to be visible at right in photo 6. These are all very interesting. Thanks. Gerry
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Evan_Werkema Wrote:
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I'd be appreciative if someone could explain the function of that large curved duct visible in photo 5 just to the left of the streamlined locomotive (which for the curious is K2-class 4-8-2 #118).

I believe that is a smoke consumer/abatement device.  There was a downdraft blower that pulled smoke into an underground trough that had water running through it and it made the water dirty instead of the air.

Evan_Werkema Wrote:
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> I'd be appreciative if someone could explain the function
> of that large curved duct

It's a smoke reduction device - the locomotive's stack was positioned under the inlet, and exhaust was passed through a water bath to remove particulates. If I remember correctly I've seen photos of them installed in Bluefield and Portsmouth as well.

These are great shots! Kodachrome was amazing, colors great and sharp. Thank you for sharing workaday steam photos like these.

Truly treasures!

Steve Mitchell
yardgoatimages.com

There's an amazing amount of day to day detail in these photos. The smoke reduction device, the lubritorium, the worn signs, etc.

Thanks for sharing them

looks like 2 diesel drivers with their clean clothes

These are awesome!

Thank you for posting them.

~Steve

johnacraft Wrote:
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> It's a smoke reduction device - the locomotive's
> stack was positioned under the inlet, and exhaust
> was passed through a water bath to remove
> particulates. If I remember correctly I've seen
> photos of them installed in Bluefield and
> Portsmouth as well.

Thank you for the info

I bet that water turned into some wonderful stuff.

Another batch of amazing photos !
Thanks.
Gary

Fine-art book quality!
Bob

It's so refreshing to see steam era photographer which something other than classic 3/4 wedgie shots! Just one reason Mr Von Nordeck's photography is to be highly commended.

Lance/199

ts1457 Wrote:
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>
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> I bet that water turned into some wonderful stuff.

The Dukes of Hazzard turned it into white lightning...

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