The Last Run of the N&W 611 - Dec. 7, 1994 - Part 1

[raym1944]

I would like to see this locomotive run again.

[trainfans]

Oh I know that oh so famous voice at 5 minute mark calling out the signal... That was great to hear!

[OhioRailroader1]

Halo don't know jack!(Troll) Great memories..maybe NS will get her rolling again!

[ExcaliburLink]

@HaloCE14 A waste of money to keep a piece of history alive? *facepalm*

[codyj0999]

check out trains magazine for 1994 many articles on then 'new president' david goode,EVISCERATING the Claytors bros beloved steam program, the shop, the equip, all gone in LIGHTENING speed,after last claytor bros final breathe..the two locos survive, but 1218 ,which was in middle of tubing repair, was hastily,cosmetically ,re assembled. Goode didnt even let 611 finnish its last charter trip...ordering it home mid trip..." so sad. Thats what happens when an "accountant' takes over NS..

[NS19K]

Who the hell dislikes this?

[southernpacific4346]

Such a beautiful whistle. Hopefully one day it will sound again. Excellent video.

[papazahn]

I live a couple blocks away from that Golden Corral location. My dad and I stood on small overpass nearby and watched the 611 go right underneath us (it would have happened just moments before it passed the restaurant in this video). I was covered in smoke/soot .... and loved every minute of it!

[foroke1]

You railfans think you're sad/pissed? Can you imagine how the crew felt?

[rhurt87058]

Don't count the ole '611' out yet....we all may return to the days of coal & wood!

[PereMarquette1223]

That must've been hard, making this video knowing that you might not see this engine under its own power for a very long time.

[northersteame]

Ending the steam program tarnished the NS forever making people look at the railroad in a completely different way

[yerkees9891]

Hopefully one day soon, that beautiful whistle will echo throughout Virginia once again

[yerkees9891]

The saddest part is that the last run of this beautiful passeneger engine was not a fully loaded passenger train, but rather, a mixed freight

[Barricade360]

1994 was a sad year sounds like, because that was also the same year my grandfather died, iwas only 2 at the time steam engines revolutionized the rail industry, why retire them?

[Robofish12]

@HaloCE14 Cool deal, thanks for bringing this to my attention! I shall look into it.

[Robofish12]

@HaloCE14 I totally agree, I was a kid when this ended and I was talking with my dad and uncle about how much it sucked basically that they stopped running the 611. I was very passionate about trains and still am, even as a 22 year old college guy haha.

[yerkees9891]

@HaloCE14 well, depending on whether she has roller bearings or not, we may see her run again soon.

[mathewprime]

wow two days before i was born! wow!

[TVRM610]

David Goode, the man who ended it, is probably madder than a wet hen at Wick Moorman for bringing back the steam program.

[doulasc]

611 please come back

[thelastprimerules]

love the whistle hope they can restore her, if they can restore 4449 or 3751 they can restore her

[timothy8727]

@HaloCE14

I agree the steam program ended was a mistake but a few notes

Insurance after the Dismal Swamp accident skyrocketed

FRA regulations that took affect 1-1-95, that disqualified the NW 611 boiler. It was, and is illegal to operate the boiler and thus the NW 611 under current FRA on class one railways, it would need a refit and I am told she has a crack in her steam box,

(Tried welding a door on a Heavy Pacfic, typical the welds contract the steel)

[jpeades]

Thank you so much for posting this video! I now live in Roanoke, but grew up between Gretna and Lynchburg, right off of this line. I had no idea that this line was part of 611's last run. I wish I hadn't been away at college at the time and missed it! :( I get to see her (and 1218) as much as I want at the VMT, but videos like this one are the only time I get to see her run. There's nothing quite like the sound of 611! Thanks again!!!

[zathras9now]

I'm glad you took the time to record 611's sweet sounds. It is rare in today's world that that kind of thing is appreciated, as evidenced by the folks around you running their mouths and missing that audio treat that preceded her arrival. I once had the chance to be alone on a high bridge recording 611's climb out of downtown Birmingham, only to be joined by some railfan that began loudly by asking me "What is the lore fo the train?" and ruined the recording session.

[trainguy7470]

Did the church bells just ring by chance, or ringing for the 611?

[dcoursey82]

Are you even remotely aware of the economics of having to operate steam? I love steam engines, but if I were the head guy of NS, I'd have canceled the steam program too.

[badboylll]

Love the track chatter you have going on in the car =]

[CSXboy1]

at 1:18 , the track right in front of the camera looks like the mainline of my model railroad....rickety! 5 stars, that beautiful babe of a steam engine should be running again

[crwi1983]

Heartbreaking.

[clinchfieldns]

@trainmandan05 when and how did you hear this

[trainmandan05]

Well to be honest I called the guy up and I asked about some stuff and I then out of the blue I asked "Ive heard rumors that the NS president has been saying he wants to reopen the steam program". and then he said quote "If the CEO wants to bring the program back he can if he wants to theres no question about that, he already has plans to open a steam program similar to UPs." Thats pretty much how I heard it.

[clinchfieldns]

@trainmandan05 that really cool, i hope it happens

[whatihave2do]

Was that 460 you were driving down. The 611 must have been really moving as I see you had to pass many other cars. Awesome turn out too. I don't think that's a GC anymore by the bridge. Great video thanks for posting.

[Dreamshavenoend]

Sound of the 611's whistle is amazing.

[arrowguy173]

Great locations! Love the pacing.

[ThomasSukhoi]

This