The dying days of America's steam engines: Incredible photographs from the 1950s capture railroad empire in all its glory

An incredible set of historic photographs has captured the dying days of steam engines in the United States.

Taken by photographer O. Winston Link, the collection of images, shows the Norfolk and Western, America's last major steam railroad, as it was switching its operations to diesel in the 1950s.

Mr Link's stunning shots also caught the capture the industry before the triumph of the automobile and the airplane brought an era where railroads dominated passenger travel to an end. 

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An electrician, J.W. Dalhouse, cleaning a headlight. Shaffers Crossing Roundhouse, Roanoke, Va. 1955

An electrician, J.W. Dalhouse, cleaning a headlight. Shaffers Crossing Roundhouse, Roanoke, Va. 1955

The fascinating project has been turned into a new book titled 'O. Winston Link: Life Along the Line.'

The book includes more than 180 of the photographer's most famous works as well as rare never-before-published images.

The superb pictures also capture a small-town way of life that was about to experience massive shifts and, in many cases, disappear completely.

Mr Link's mostly black and white images, which he photographed using moribund technology, offer a moving account of the people and communities surrounding the last steam railroad ever seen in the U.S.

Hawksbill Creek swimming hole. Luray, Va. 1956

Hawksbill Creek swimming hole. Luray, Va. 1956

Rain #17, The Birmingham Special, arriving at Rural Retreat. Rural Retreat, Va. 1957

Rain #17, The Birmingham Special, arriving at Rural Retreat. Rural Retreat, Va. 1957

Servicing EMD diesel-electrics. Shaffers Crossing, Roanoke, Va. 1960

Servicing EMD diesel-electrics. Shaffers Crossing, Roanoke, Va. 1960

Highball for the doubleheader. Near Bonsack, Va. 1959

Highball for the doubleheader. Near Bonsack, Va. 1959

Skutch Stevens smoking a cigarette in a passenger car. Abingdon Branch. 1955

Skutch Stevens smoking a cigarette in a passenger car. Abingdon Branch. 1955

The Birmingham Special crossing Bridge 201. Near Radford, Va. 1957

The Birmingham Special crossing Bridge 201. Near Radford, Va. 1957

A young boy covers his ears as he watches a locomotive speed by with his dad

A young boy covers his ears as he watches a locomotive speed by with his dad

A train puffs along past rushing water

A train puffs along past rushing water

Hester Fringer's living room on the tracks. Lithia, Va. 1955

Hester Fringer's living room on the tracks. Lithia, Va. 1955

O. Winston Link photographs young children swimming late at night below the train tracks

O. Winston Link photographs young children swimming late at night below the train tracks

O. Winston Link became famous for photographing a moribund technology, lugging his flashbulbs and Rolleiflex around the hills of Appalachia in search of steam locomotives

O. Winston Link became famous for photographing a moribund technology, lugging his flashbulbs and Rolleiflex around the hills of Appalachia in search of steam locomotives

A train rolls through a railroad crossing at night

A train rolls through a railroad crossing at night

A couple and their dog watch from their porch as a locomotive rolls by

A couple and their dog watch from their porch as a locomotive rolls by

Mr Link's flash illuminates an impressive plume of smoke from a locomotive as well as a large tree

Mr Link's flash illuminates an impressive plume of smoke from a locomotive as well as a large tree

VIDEO: A closer look at O. Winston Link's Photographs:


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