The railroad industry was one of the major factors contributing to the industrialization of America. The faster mode of transportation connected the nation in a way that was unimaginable beforehand.

On this day, December 7th, in 1994, Norfolk Southern Railway retired its steam excursion program. This steam engine, called “The Green Mikado” because of its recognizable green and gold paint, took its last run in 1998.

The Southern Railway 4501 steam locomotive was used for the steam excursion program that ran for several decades. The program was ended, however, when Southern’s successor took over in 1994. Currently, the 4501 locomotive is on display, owned by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.