Southern Railway's
75th Anniversary

n November of 1969, the Southern Railway System celebrated its 75th anniversary with a steam celebration in Anniston, Alabama, along the Birmingham—Atlanta mainline. Dubbed the 1969 "Steam-o-rama", the railroad commemorated its diamond jubilee by gathering three operating steam locomotives in excursion service from around the region. The lineup included the legendary Flying Scotsman, which was making a British Industry Tour through the United States during the late 1960s. The other two steamers were Deep South excursion veterans Southern #4501 and Savannah & Atlanta #750. A large crowd turned out in Anniston for the event, and several dignitaries spoke from the rear platform of the Southern Railway's office car New River.