Photographer- John S. Murray- from the 35 mm original Kodachrome slide. The 1987 NRHS Convention was a watershed moment for mainline steam in the late 1980's. What has commonly been referred to as "Super Saturday," saw not just N&W 'J' 611 under steam, but the newest addition to the excursion fleet; N&W 'A' Class 1218. Here we find 1218 headed west storming up Christiansburg grade with 50 empty hoppers in tow at Shawsville on the way to Radford. Out of the picture but hot on the Big A's heels is 611 with a 25 car passenger consist. The 'A' and the 'J' see-sawed up the mountain allowing the passengers a once in a lifetime opportunity. Oh, how I wished I was there that day.
