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.