Steam's Camelot Southern and Norfolk Southern Excursions in Color [Hardcover]

Jim Wrinn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2000

Southern and Norfolk Southern excursion trains delighted enthusiasts for 28 years. Jim Wrinn writes the story, from the last run of Norfolk and Western (N&W) J No. 611 in regular service in 1959 and chronicles the lack of excursions in the early 1960s. He covers the beginning, and expansion, of steam excursions on the Southern under Graham Claytor, overviews the endless stream of different "hired" steam locomotives from other railroads, and brings the story into the N&W era with the 611 and 1218. Superb color photographs and in-depth text tell the fascinating story of steam train operations.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: TLC Publishing (September 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883089565
• ISBN-13: 978-1883089566
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,047,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A long-overdue history, August 21, 2005

By 

Lee Bishop "Slightly crazed but armed..." (Seattle, WA area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steam's Camelot Southern and Norfolk Southern Excursions in Color (Hardcover)

I was lucky enough to ride a couple of NS steam trips. I have ridden behind 1218 and chased other trips. To me, it doesn't seem like that long ago, but it indeed has. There's a whole generation who has heard of the Souther and NS steam programs as ancient history. Fine race horses like the 611, 1218, 722, 2716, 610, etc, are all cold metal now.
For those who missed it all, my condolences. For those who were there, many don't know the full story. Goodness knows I didn't know it all.
Anyone with ANY interest in this fine company-supported steam program should read this book, cover-to-cover. It has excellent photos, very well-written text, and it's entertaining as heck. It's like a well-done extended article in "Trains" or "Railfan" magazines that you don't want to put down. I read it all in one sitting. It's THAT good. It answered all kinds fo questions I'd had, and I completely understand how it all came to be, and moreso, how lucky we all were to have it around for so long.
If there should be a ulogy to the Southern/NS steam program, it should be read from THIS book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Steam's Camelot Southern and N.S. Excursions, February 11, 2007

By 

Linda B. Rodenberg (Springfield, Ill. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steam's Camelot Southern and Norfolk Southern Excursions in Color (Hardcover)

I ordered this title unseen and hoped for the best-- I was very pleased with the content and primarily the outstanding photographs. This book provides not only history of the rail system, but is written in such a way that will engage readers of various ages.

The synopsis on Amazon was very helpful, also.

5.0 out of 5 stars almost perfect history of the subject, with nice pictures, October 26, 2006

By 

N'Awlins Contrarian - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steam's Camelot Southern and Norfolk Southern Excursions in Color (Hardcover)

Okay, this book doesn't quite merit five starts, but I can't give it four and a half. Anyway, it is very good.

What it is is a history of the Southern and later Norfolk Southern steam excursion programs, starting in the 1960's and running until 1995. It contains both amusing anecdotes and sobering analyses. There are a good number of color pictures. It gives you a good accounting of all of the steam locomotives used (I didn't realize there were so many), plus something on their designs, histories, operational characteristics, triumphs (e.g., climbing Saluda), and troubles (e.g., the Great Dismal Swamp derailment, various breakdowns). Somewhat refreshingly, it also gives some perspective on many of the people involved. There's a table of all of the steam excursions.

What it is not is an overly technical treatise on the locomotives used, their restorations, repairs, modifications, etc. Also, there's not a whole lot on the coaches used or the excursion routes. But I think most of its apparently-intended audience will find it just right, or nearly so.