In October 1977 I was a 13yo snotty-nosed teenage Railfan. For my birthday, mom and dad bought me tickets on the Chessie Steam Special from Saint Albans (my hometown) to Hinton, West Virginia and back. It was an absolute blast riding down the New River Valley and hearing the whistle howling down the valley. Thanks for uploading this...you've given this 58yo man good memories and a few tears!!
I have many fond memories myself of working the New River Train as a young boy through the 80s and 90 myself. I lived in St. Albans for a while in the late 80s as well out near Hayes Junior High!
Whoa! They actually spoke about 2101’s history before pulling the steam special. She was 32 years old back then. Now sister engine 2102 is running and is about to be joined by 2100. Two operating T-1s in service.
Thanks for sharing this. I had never seen it. There is another film with the same title. B&O's 8000 Mile Birthday Party, but it is way different. So much great footage in this.
Until some clown decides to torch the poor thing. I went to the roundhouse just after the fire. There was smoke still emanating from the ground. Some of the paint on the tender was still visible. What a sad ending.
I heard some good news recently though! The B&O railroad museum is currently cosmetically restoring 2101 for the next American Freedom train for the US's 250th birthday in 2026.
In October 1977 I was a 13yo snotty-nosed teenage Railfan. For my birthday, mom and dad bought me tickets on the Chessie Steam Special from Saint Albans (my hometown) to Hinton, West Virginia and back.
It was an absolute blast riding down the New River Valley and hearing the whistle howling down the valley.
Thanks for uploading this...you've given this 58yo man good memories and a few tears!!
I have many fond memories myself of working the New River Train as a young boy through the 80s and 90 myself. I lived in St. Albans for a while in the late 80s as well out near Hayes Junior High!
@@junglespinner then you were close. I was a Yellow Jackets student from '76-79'. Then a Laggin Dragon at SAHS. I grew up on Virginia Heights.
Whoa! They actually spoke about 2101’s history before pulling the steam special. She was 32 years old back then. Now sister engine 2102 is running and is about to be joined by 2100. Two operating T-1s in service.
I rode the Chessie Steam Special with my father and grandfather when it visited Pittsburgh. One of my happy childhood memories.
Thanks for sharing this.
I had never seen it.
There is another film with the same title. B&O's 8000 Mile Birthday Party, but it is way different.
So much great footage in this.
Awesome!! I'd go back to the late 70s anyday!! Sure better than now!
I must say the actors in this film were good, but the cat gave the best performance by just laying back and enjoying the ride.
Until some clown decides to torch the poor thing.
I went to the roundhouse just after the fire.
There was smoke still emanating from the ground.
Some of the paint on the tender was still visible. What a sad ending.
Truly a tragic ending, I've seen it in Baltimore now but it doesn't quite look the same
I heard some good news recently though! The B&O railroad museum is currently cosmetically restoring 2101 for the next American Freedom train for the US's 250th birthday in 2026.
PROPS TO THE CAT AND THANKS FOR UPLOADING THIS
Fire: and I took that personally
Thank you for uploading this Drew.
My pleasure!
Just Subscribed Drew, THis Is Good Content.
Where'd you find this footage?
How come I wasn’t invited here