N&W 611 pacing heading north into Tennessee

[CWEX73]

Initially the whistle was basically over the number 5&6 axle and after 1990 it was moved farther back by the turret area right in front of the cab, why I don't know. Also things like air temp, air density effect the sound as well.

[CWEX73]

All of the "J's" had Hancock long bell 3 chime whistles on them, the 611 carried this in regular service and in excursion service. Some difference in the sound is that most of this video is shot behind or right next to her & after chasing her as much as I did back in the day, her whistle always sounded different when filmed from these points as opposed to having her coming at you. Now during her excursion career the location of the whistle did change.

[35UGA0511]

It was only 30 years ago that a brash young brakeman had the pleasure to take the 611-J from Inman Yard to her train at Atlanta's Brookwood Station. I remember her melodious purr and the mystical power that she exhibited. I felt her beneath me as an angel in flight. I stopped short before coupling and, after dismounting, took a bow. The crowd of 2,000 weakly applauded. Then I gestured an intro for the 611 and PANDEMONIUM ! I "ll never forget it as long as I live ! .......( sweet. )

[ArcticStarFox]

she's also a star in National Geographic love those trains documentary from 1984..in the opening sequence

[ArcticStarFox]

Black Beauty at her best...long live the 611 in all of our hearts.......we all know she's itching to stretch her legs again....

[jay600katana]

@ArcticStarFox With Mr. Mooreman at the helm hopefully someday she'll get her turn. I wish I had the cash to donate for her overhaul because that seems to be the big issue with NS. They don't want to be offically putting money into steam. someday my friend. someday.

[trainnut418]

I wish N&S would run the 611 & 1218 again. Something crazy about Liabilty issues.

Great video!

[Jemalacane]

Doesn't this locomotive generate a lot of power?

[shakedydogshake]

Some serious bastards are still out there, for shutting 611 down. The 611 was meant to put the hammer down, not to be shiftless when idle ( to quote the old Replacements tune hehehe )!

Thanks for sharing this excellent footage! WOW, listen to her hammer at 3:50!!!!

[70stvtool]

Thank you for posting this. My Grandfather (his father was a conductor for the Southern RR - my Great Grandfather) and I used to go every fall to see the Autumn Leave Special that ran several years in the 80's from Atlanta, GA to Toccoa, GA and back. I wish they would start these excursions back up. I'd pay plenty for a ticket.

[DJGENEX71]

Awesome! 5*****! and Favorite!

[generationll]

The horn does not sound normal

[hoolg]

Maybe it's because it has steam instead of air coming through it, :). Sorry I had to go there.

My understanding is that 611 had 3 whistles during her restoration years so if you're used to hearing one of the others that may be why it doesn't sound "normal" to you.

[nsman77]

@hoolg The 611 only had one whistle, the steamboat that you hear in this video. There may have been an occasion where a different one was fitted for a special event, but other wise this is what all 13 J's sounded like.

[HOLYSMOKES07]

@generationll I am betting the difference in the sound is created by the Doppler Effect.

[cbolanz]

ooohhh alright you baadd boy but no more black tender with j steamers

[cbolanz]

oh ok but if you have th chance an you please get me a runby of 611 in 1988 see what you can do thank you

[hoolg]

Sadly this was the only time I ever saw her. What you see is what I got.

[SkipW]

Its Still Some Mighty Fine Stuff Thanks man

[cbolanz]

why did;nt 611 use the water tener that matched it colors

[hoolg]

Likely because they had 1218's tender available at tht time of this excursion and 611's tender was being serviced..

[Kleman09]

@hoolg that is 611's tender on her in this video. 611 and 1218 had very similar tenders.

[hoolg]

I'm honestly not SURE when it was. I an sure it was between 87- 89 with a strong lean towards 1987. Thank's the closest I can get you.

[cbolanz]

if between 87 and 89 this was 1988

[FreeFallin1976]

What a sleek creature she is!  Great video :-)

[ddkoda]

Thoroughbred through and through.

[hoolg]

My pleasure. I'm glad my video could aid you in congering that one up again. I bet those were some great memories.

Thanks for sharing them.

[hoolg]

Yah, my understanding was that the liability insurance was into the millions per trip.

As for her running condition, she's very mobile but I believe her boiler needs to be reflued. Not bad at all considering the circumstances. Maybe one day NS will get a CEO that chooses to let a steamer be the shining star of the railroad. UP has done it, so why not NS??

Wishful thinking I know but one can dream.

[DASCO2136]

Well if i understand everything correctly all 611 needs to be operational again is to be updated to current FRA standards & to replace a couple of parts.

[robertgift]

Very good for a 12 year old!

Enjoyed the long video with her whistling for lots of grade crossings.

And no wind noise!

I'm amazed those side rods can take such a beating. Are they ultrasound inspected every so many hours?

Those wheels appear not very big for a passenger engine. Or am I misjudging?

Thank you.

[hoolg]

Thanks!

I don't know but I would assume that they would sonicly check them as the engine would come through its inspection cycle. Sadly though she only sits static at the Virginia Transportation Museum.

As for the driving wheels, I beleive they are 80" drivers that were fairly standard for passenger locomotives though I could be mistaken. They may have had them a bit undersized so the engine could manage the grades better in the Appalachains.

[robertgift]

Static because costs are too great to operate?

Or engine in need of expensive repairs?

Yes, that makes sense to undersize for greater loads.

Imagine the tremendoustresses on the rods and where they connect to the wheels.

Please post ALL your videos.

Thank you.

[hoolg]

My understand is that they "retired" the NS steam program due to extremely high insurance costs. It's really unfortunate, I do greatly miss this engine but at least I have these memories.

As for the posetd videos, all the older ones are posted but I continue to make new ones. Feel free to look at the most recently added shots.

Thanks for the feedback.

[robertgift]

I KNEW insurance would be the reason.

Or attorneys and lawsuits.

Sad.

But hopefully they will keep it in running condition, and one day they will find a way to operate that magnificent locomotive. Maybe "self insured"!

[bigtex144]

Actually, the N&W J's had only 70" drivers, which are quite small for a modern steam locomotive, and VERY small for a fast passenger locomotive. Especially if you consider UP Northern 844, SP 4449, and ATSF 3751, which all have 80" drivers. But since the N&W J's had lightweight side rods, extra careful and precise balancing, and of course the streamlining, these locos could still reach speeds over 100 mph.

Certainly a great video! I love pacing fast steam.

[ljones1111]

i remember seeing the 611 as a kid too, nothing beat seeing this huge engine, i doubt NS even with new management while bring either the J or the Class A back to running condition, actually i think they may have been moved to PA for the museam at Altoona, i maybe wrong though.

[hoolg]

Well, as much as I believe you're right, I hope you're completly wrong. One can only dream can't they?

[TVRM610]

#611 and #1218 are still in Roanoke, the one at Altoona is Pennsy #1361, and it is under restoration to be operated by Norfolk Southern.

[daniellewalker78]

Where do you find the schedule for this engine?

[hoolg]

Unfortuneatly, there is no longer a schedule for this engine. Norfolk Southern cancled their steam program in the early 90's which stopped this gal from running anymore. Now her & her running mate, 1218, sit static at the Virginia Museium of Transportation.

[daniellewalker78]

crap

[drglinski]

I was one of the fortunate to actually see this loco as a kid, want to see it again. I've got it on tape, somewhere, and for the life of me I can't find it.... good vid!

[hoolg]

Keep hunting for it. I finally found this one and was thrilled to see it again.

I'm glad you liked it.

[OldBoxcarHobo]

Thanks for sharing this video of a GREAT locomotive.  Old Boxcar Hobo

[hoolg]

It's my pleasure sir.

I'm just glad I was blessed with the chance to see her. She was/ is a magnificent machine.

[OldBoxcarHobo]

You really did a fantastic job with your video camera. The way you captured her sounds, showed her running gear, and even doing a close up of her side number was very professional. Not an easy task from a moving automobile. You are to be commended for your work.

You brought tears to the eyes of this "old train hopper" -- Thank you!

Maybe we should make the top brass of the NSRR sit down and watch your video. It might convince them to put her back out on the rails where she belongs.

[hoolg]

I wish it was that easy but I fear it's not. The only thing I feel is in our favor of the steam program being rekindled is the fact that NS has new upper management (I believe all the way to the top).

I'm not sure how I'd feel if I knew that this and my other videos had any affect on a decision being made to restart the program. I guess happy would be the best word but that would be an understatement.

& to think this was shot by a 12 yr old :)

Thanks again!