N&W GP30 #522 Departs Roanoke for Repairs

N&W GP30 #522 Departs Roanoke for Repairs

Today marked a special moment as Norfolk & Western GP30 #522 left Roanoke for the first time in many years. The locomotive has been sidelined ever since a turbocharger failure rendered it inoperable. After removing the damaged turbocharger, it was discovered that the gearing which drives the unit was also compromised, necessitating a more extensive repair effort.

For quite some time, plans have been underway to send #522 out for mechanical restoration. Today, that journey finally began. In fitting fashion, the locomotive departed Roanoke as part of a train made up almost entirely of historic Norfolk & Western equipment, symbolizing both preservation and progress.

The consist was led by NS 9976, a 2004-built locomotive for Norfolk Southern—successor to the N&W. Following it was none other than Norfolk & Western Class J #611, built in May 1950 in Roanoke and the last surviving example of her class. Behind 611 was its auxiliary water tender, which began life on the Louisville & Nashville as part of a “Big Emma” 2-8-4. It later passed through multiple owners before becoming part of the Steam Program, eventually finding its way to the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Next in line was tool car #1407, built by Bethlehem Steel as a Mail Storage car for the N&W. The Roanoke Chapter of the NRHS cared for this car for decades before recently transferring ownership to the Museum, where it will continue to serve alongside 611.

Finally, bringing up the rear was N&W GP30 #522 itself. Saved from scrap by the Roanoke Chapter, the locomotive is now bound for needed turbocharger repairs, with hopes of one day returning to service as a living example of N&W diesel history.