Former N&W GP9 857, is one of several first generation geeps that Norfolk Southern loaned The Yadkin Valley Railroad to get their operation underway. The Yadkin Valley Railroad began operations December 11, 1989, as a subsidiary of the Laurinburg & Southern under Norfolk Southern's Thoroughbred Shortline Program. Interchange is made with Norfolk Southern at Rural Hall. Control of the railroad was turned over to Gulf & Ohio on March 1, 1994. Recently acquired trackage rights allow the railroad access to Winston-Salem.
