CSX Transportation Historical Society

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N&W Weller Yard in the Late 1950s

Rail Fan Adventure --

There a few photos of Weller Yard and Buchanan Branch activity in the final years in the books Norfolk & Western In The Appalachians, From the Blue Ridge to the Big Sandy by Ed King and Norfolk & Western...Steam’s Last Stand by Mallory Hope Ferrell. Bob Harvey of Kingsport TN., also visited Weller, and I recently scanned some of his black & white prints that I have.

1. N&W 2149 simmers at Weller Yard VA., on 05-31-1959. N&W used the giant Worthington model BL feed-water heater on its 4-8-2s, most 2-6-6-2s and all 2-8-8-2s from classes Y-3 to Y-6a. They used the Worthington model SA on the class A 2-6-6-4s, J 4-8-4s and the Y-6b. In contrast C&O preferred the Elesco tube bundle type so familiar on their Mikes, Pacifics and 2-8-8-2s, but they also liked the Worthington S and SA models on their newer steam locomotives. The feed-water heater uses exhaust steam and fire box gasses to pre-heat the water before it goes into the boiler. R. L. Harvey collection.
N&W 2149 simmers at Weller Yard VA., on 05-31-1959. N&W used the giant Worthington model BL feed-water heater on its 4-8-2s, most 2-6-6-2s and all 2-8-8-2s from classes Y-3 to Y-6a. They used the Worthington model SA on the class A 2-6-6-4s, J 4-8-4s and the Y-6b. In contrast C&O preferred the Elesco tube bundle type so familiar on their Mikes, Pacifics and 2-8-8-2s, but they also liked the Worthington S and SA models on their newer steam locomotives. The feed-water heater uses exhaust steam and fire box gasses to pre-heat the water before it goes into the boiler. R. L. Harvey collection.
2. N&W Y-6 2149 was built at Roanoke locomotive shop in 1940. Weller VA. 05-31-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.
N&W Y-6 2149 was built at Roanoke locomotive shop in 1940. Weller VA. 05-31-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.

3. N&W Y-6a 2161 was built by Roanoke shop in 1942. Good view of the caps on the sand dome. Servicing any locomotive is miserable work especially in inclement weather. And then there is the danger of falling off the running board. Steps, railing and hand-holds are provided to access the sand dome. 05-31-1959. Weller VA. R. L. Harvey collection.
N&W Y-6a 2161 was built by Roanoke shop in 1942. Good view of the caps on the sand dome. Servicing any locomotive is miserable work especially in inclement weather. And then there is the danger of falling off the running board. Steps, railing and hand-holds are provided to access the sand dome. 05-31-1959. Weller VA. R. L. Harvey collection.

4. N&W 2176 is a Y-6b built in 1948. Weller VA. 05-31-1959.
N&W 2176 is a Y-6b built in 1948. Weller VA. 05-31-1959.

5. N&W 2198 was a member of the 2197-2200 class of 1952. These were the last Y-6s to graduate from the Roanoke Institution of Fine Locomotive Construction. 05-31-1959. Weller VA. R. L. Harvey collection.
N&W 2198 was a member of the 2197-2200 class of 1952. These were the last Y-6s to graduate from the Roanoke Institution of Fine Locomotive Construction. 05-31-1959. Weller VA. R. L. Harvey collection.

6. Front end throttle and Worthington model SA feed-water heater on N&W 2198. The SA replaced those hideous Worthington BLs used on previous Mallet classes. Weller VA. 05-31-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.
Front end throttle and Worthington model SA feed-water heater on N&W 2198. The SA replaced those hideous Worthington BLs used on previous Mallet classes. Weller VA. 05-31-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.

7. A steam derrick and tool cars are parked on the left. Wonder where they will dump those cinders? The shop buildings on the right are still used today. 05-31-1959. N&W Weller VA terminal. R. L. Harvey collection.A steam derrick and tool cars are parked on the left. Wonder where they will dump those cinders? The shop buildings on the right are still used today. 05-31-1959. N&W Weller VA terminal. R. L. Harvey collection.

8. About a week later on 06-06-1959 Bob and Mary stopped by Weller again. Bob is from Logan County, WV, and perhaps they were returning from a visit to his parents in Stollings. The blower is going on 2176 to get the steam pressure up. Such smell of smoke was so familiar in this days! We see the SA feed water heater, so it must be a Y-6b. N&W 2176. Weller VA. 06-06-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.
About a week later on 06-06-1959 Bob and Mary stopped by Weller again. Bob is from Logan County, WV, and perhaps they were returning from a visit to his parents in Stollings. The blower is going on 2176 to get the steam pressure up. Such smell of smoke was so familiar in this days! We see the SA feed water heater, so it must be a Y-6b. N&W 2176. Weller VA. 06-06-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.

9. N&W 2182 is a Y-6b from the 1949 batch of 2180-2187. Most of if not all of the Y-6s received these handsome streamlined tenders at some point in time. Weller VA. 06-06-1959.
N&W 2182 is a Y-6b from the 1949 batch of 2180-2187. Most of if not all of the Y-6s received these handsome streamlined tenders at some point in time. Weller VA. 06-06-1959.

10. Bob realized that steam was on the way out when he visited Weller on 11-22-1959. 2138 is a Y-6 from the 1939 batch. In front of the pilot is the ash pit. No class other than Y-6 family were evident at Weller then. Many EMD GP-9s and ALCo RS-11s were on the property and more on the way. Stuart Saunders wanted steam gone. N&W 2138. Weller VA. 11-22-1959.
Bob realized that steam was on the way out when he visited Weller on 11-22-1959. 2138 is a Y-6 from the 1939 batch. In front of the pilot is the ash pit. No class other than Y-6 family were evident at Weller then. Many EMD GP-9s and ALCo RS-11s were on the property and more on the way. Stuart Saunders wanted steam gone. N&W 2138. Weller VA. 11-22-1959.

11. The ash hoist looms behind N&W 2138. Weller VA. 11-22-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.
The ash hoist looms behind N&W 2138. Weller VA. 11-22-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.

12. PROTECT The Life THAT GOD ENTRUSTED TO YOU. PREVENT ACCIDENTS. N&W 2138. Weller VA. 11-22-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.
PROTECT The Life THAT GOD ENTRUSTED TO YOU. PREVENT ACCIDENTS. N&W 2138. Weller VA. 11-22-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.

13. That is probably the injector apparatus under the cab. The round bolted access hatch on the tender probably provides access to the stoker motor. I’m not sure on these. N&W 2138. Weller VA. 11-22-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.
That is probably the injector apparatus under the cab. The round bolted access hatch on the tender probably provides access to the stoker motor. I’m not sure on these. N&W 2138. Weller VA. 11-22-1959. R. L. Harvey collection.

14. Gene Huddleston caught 2165 backing across the Levisa River bridge at the east end of Weller Yard in January 1960. Perhaps this job was returning from working the Harmon Spur which was only a short distance east of the yard. N&W 2165 EE Weller. E. L. Huddleston collection.
Gene Huddleston caught 2165 backing across the Levisa River bridge at the east end of Weller Yard in January 1960. Perhaps this job was returning from working the Harmon Spur which was only a short distance east of the yard. N&W 2165 EE Weller. E. L. Huddleston collection.

15. I found this pix on-line. N&W No. 2107 is at the east end of the yard as it was in 1957 before expansion. US 460 is on the right. Weller VA. 1957.
I found this pix on-line. N&W No. 2107 is at the east end of the yard as it was in 1957 before expansion. US 460 is on the right. Weller VA. 1957.

16. Tracks 6-9 were added after the above photo was taken. This Weller Terminal Zone diagram dates from the 1980s or 1990s. NS Weller.
Tracks 6-9 were added after the above photo was taken. This Weller Terminal Zone diagram dates from the 1980s or 1990s. NS Weller.

17. USGS Harman quad, 1963, 24,000 scale. Weller Yard was extended east from roughly Schoolhouse Branch to the Levisa River bridge. Harman, VA-KY, 1:24,000 quad, 1963, USGS.
USGS Harman quad, 1963, 24,000 scale. Weller Yard was extended east from roughly Schoolhouse Branch to the Levisa River bridge. Harman, VA-KY, 1:24,000 quad, 1963, USGS.

All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young