N&W 611 is now running as NS Train 957 as it brings its 21 car train around the curve and upgrade on the south leg of the wye off the Old Line at Poe.
The dust to the fireman's side of the engine is from the sand dropped on the rail ahead of the train for traction.
Why?
Yesterday the engine stalled and laid down apparently due to a little too much grease on the rail for the flanges, so by pre-sanding, the engine was able to achieve enough adhesion to muscle the train around the curve today.
This the hardest we saw the engine work all weekend, and rivals the sounds I witnessed with UP 844 and 21 cars on the drawbar in Omaha on icy rail 2010 with Steve Lee at the throttle.
Locomotive: NW 611
6-14-15
Petersburg, VA
