Tag Archives: #475

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Strasburg 475 on the Move!

Yesterday evening, Kris and I paused on Esbenshade Road in Strasburg, Pa., to roll by the 6 p.m. excursion train. Engine 475 was leading the train tender-first.

This was the first time we’d seen 475 on the move in more than a year. This American classic, a former Norfolk & Western 4-8-0 “Twelve Wheeler,” had been undergoing its periodic overhaul.

It was nice to see this engine working again.

I made these images using my Nikon Z6 with a 24–70mm lens. I set the aperture at f/22 to get maximum depth of field and to give the “starburst” effect on the setting sun.

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Mastodon at Blackhorse

My favorite Strasburg Railroad steam locomotive is former Norfolk & Western 475.

I like its classic appearance and long boiler, but I’m also drawn to the relatively unusual wheel arrangement; 4-8-0.

Historically, this type was sometimes described as a ‘Mastodon’, perhaps because of its proportions. Another name for the 4-8-0 is ‘Twelve Wheeler,’ and this, while descriptive, doesn’t invoke romantic or alusive connotations.

Sunday, Kris and I caught old 475 coming and going at Blackhorse Road. I made these photos with my Nikon Z-series digital cameras. I thought back to November 1996, when I made photos of this same engine here on Kodachrome film. A differnt media for a different time.

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