In the history of the steam locomotive Roanoke Machine Works played a key part. Take a look at this important economic center of the New South. Roanoke Shops has been an indispensable part of the Roanoke Valley and the Magic City for more than 125 years. Founded in 1881 as an independent company, Roanoke Machine Works built new locomotives and cars for the Shenandoah Valley and Norfolk & Western Railroads. Situated between the picturesque Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, the facility caused an economic boom in the nearby village of Big Lick and the surrounding area. By 1891, Big Lick had become Roanoke and had emerged as one of the most important economic centers in the New South. Today, Roanoke Shops employs skilled craftsmen who provide the highest-quality overhauls and repairs to diesel locomotives. This book takes a look into its history, particularly at production during that exciting and enchanting era of the steam locomotive.

Because Norfolk & Western's existence was predicated on coal, its coal-hauling cars represented its most important rolling stock. In fact, with the exception of the Chesapeake & Ohio, no other railway concentrated its business on coal mining as heavily as N&W.This fully illustrated history of N&W's hoppers and high-side gondolas begins in 1881 and continues through the present Norfolk & Southern operations. Not only is this study a superb technological history, it's also an ideal data file for modellers. The drawings are taken from a number of trade publications and company archives. Photographs from all eras show the cars being both built and used.

A nostalgic look at the last major railroad to use steam locomotives. Dramatic photos follow the remarkable history of N&W steam engines as they hauled coal through the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's.

The story of Norfolk and Western Class J, Number 611. The most modern steam locomotive built in North America. Background on the design, construction and operation of these famous streamlined locomotives, from 1941 to the present day. 611 has lived three lives, her original service from 1950-1959, excursion service from 1982-1994 and again in 2015. Revised and expanded edition

The tracks of the Norfolk and Western Railway snaked through Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and the coalfields of West Virginia. For nearly 100 years, the Norfolk and Western brought freight, passengers, and economic vitality to large cities and rural mining towns. At each stop was the depot or station; some stations were large, architecturally ornate structures that represented the muscular energy and romantic era of this great steam railway with its famed J-class engines. In other places there were small wooden depots that depicted the hard-scrabble life of the mining communities, tucked amid steep mountain valleys that were indelibly shaped by the railway's presence. Today some of those structures remain, while many disappeared when the railway ceased passenger or other service. The Norfolk and Western eventually merged with the Southern Railway, and though the trains of the Norfolk Southern still run along those same lines, they simply pass by where they used to stop many years ago.