This photo, taken by the late Hank Stuart, Jr., was taken at Tacoma, VA, on the Interstate's main line from Norton to Miller Yard, VA. The two colorful RS-3s on this "Hill Crew" are handling a roughly 50-50 mix of Interstate coal loaded on its own lines, and interchange traffic from the L&N at Dorchester Junction (just west of Norton). The front half of the train is entirely black Interstate hoppers, and the rear half is red L&N cars (all loads). A piece of heavy equipment in the L&N cut is near the middle. Everything will be interchanged to the Clinchfield at Miller Yard. The passing track was taken up here a few years later. This trackage is still in service, but the foliage obliterates the scene today. It would be nice to capture the NS "Interstate" heritage unit here.
just as the 1970s were a good era in virginia railroading, the 1950s and 1960s were just as colorful as the 1970s were. this a tribute to the days of simple railroading and why it served as a basis of what it is today.
