OK, It is common practice over here to dead head with a diesel in tow, because the freight railroads will not tolerate blocked tracks if there is a breakdown on a 60+ year old locomotive, but on this occasion there is also another special reason. The diesel in tow is a brand new GE built unit that is the first in it's class, hence it's number 8100. It is painted in the vintage livery of the Nickle Plate Road, which is now a part of the Northfolk Southern system of roads. For a modern diesel it is very cool.
Today the 765 was running in a totally urban setting so she was kept to a mere 15 mph. When out in open country they will let her have her head and 60+ mph is not an issue for her.
I do believe she is the last of her type that still can operate.
Steam was not fully replaced in the US till the late 50s. Most roads stopped in 1956, but the Norfolk & Western, predecessor of the Norfolk Southern, carried on into the early 60's and maintained a limited steam shop for two locomotives till the 90's. The Union Pacific Railroad still maintains a steam operation for two of it's steam locomotives out west. A 4-8-4 Northern type and a 4-6-6-4 Challenger type.
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Personally speaking, the P-40 could contend on an equal footing with all the types of Messerschmitts, almost to the end of 1943.
~Nikolay Gerasimovitch Golodnikov
Last edited by ElAurens; 07-29-2012 at 09:06 PM.
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