Forest, VA - N&W rails: Townsfolk on the left, railfans on the right, everyone was out to see the big gal come home to Roanoke on May 30, 2015. The closer she got to Roanoke, the bigger the crowds... (more)
The 1218 is westbound on the last leg of a circle trip from Roanoke north along the Shenandoah Valley line, east on the old C&O James River line to Lynchburg, and back to Roanoke.
There are relatively few grade crossings just West of Forest, VA and several overpasses. With nearly 300 people lining the tracks at Forest and each subsequent overpass west of there crowded with ... (more)