Last Steam Locomotive Delivered to N&W

On June 3, 1953, Roanoke Shops delivered N&W No. 244, the last steam locomotive built for a major U.S. Class I railroad. This 0-8-0 switcher represented the end of an era as dieselization accelerated. N&W had been a steam stronghold, using powerful Y-class 2-8-8-2s for coal trains. The delivery occurred amid post-WWII modernization, with key figures like N&W president Robert Hall Smith overseeing the transition. Engineering highlights included the robust frame and Baker valve gear suited for yard work. The event underscored the shift from coal-fired power to diesel-electrics, impacting employment in Roanoke and locomotive manufacturing. Its preservation today educates enthusiasts on late-era steam design.