The problem wasn't so much the hole as the radius of the curve. Because of it's high center of gravity (large boiler) the J's were built with stiff drivers. That combined with the grade and heavy train caused the slipping. All of the sand in the world wouldn't make that radius any wider. The engineer did a fine job.
i love this video her and the big boy are my favs and i must say im no train driver but it look to me that it just got done raining and i know when steel and steel mite when wet is not helpen any
Bad engineer!!! Also due to the actual design of the engine, for as heavy as she is, she is too light for the amount of tracktive effort she can produce. Byproduct of streamlining. I've seen her in worse spots though:)
Its exciting that NS has decided to bring back the steam program....may not be the engines people want to see run the rails again but its a start with the 4501 if they get her running again....
@polewalker Depends on how efficient the engineer runs her, how steep a grade she runs on, and how much weight she's pulling. The more work the locomotive has to do, the more steam is needed. 500 gallons probably would not get you far because most carry well over a thousand gallons. For example, Canadian National #3254 at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA carries 7200 gallons.
Fuel oil!?!? Please they already ruined the "authenticity" of the Challenger and all the others with converting them to oil. I agree what with Ross Rowland said on an interview while he was on the 4449 last sumer at Train Fest. When asked how it felt being pulled by the SP 4449 he commented while nice, it's not like being on the 614. It is not the full steam experience unless you smell and feel the embers. REAL steam locomotives run on coal.
I've heard that all the 611 needs is new flues.Don't convert her to fuel oil,we need all of that for other things like keeping the railroad running now.Coal is cheeper anyway.I'm sure NS has enough extra money lying around to start another steam program.Maybe if they take away some of their big bonus's they might be able to get it going or maybe they could get a bailout from Washington to start it with.Look's like everybody else is getting money.
From what I have heard the J611 does not need that much work, the main thing would be to convert her to fuel oil, no they do not need to be dragged out west, they need to have somebody at norfolk southern that gives a damn about a steam program. The 1218 however has been gutted and that parts scrapped and the tools sold from the roanoke shops.
Well the steamers have more weight and can power though it with less effort, they have equal if not more power then the locos they make today, They are a vital peice of history that is met to live, it built the nation before the highways systom it made our nation what it was, its just the steamers pump out soo much pollution, they take up lots of water and have more moving parts making for harder mantaince, they are dirtier, and cant take turns as hard due to being top heavy. still I like them.
And it's such a bittersweet thing seeing a J Class (one of the most beautiful looking of American steam locos) as they bascially outperformed diesels of the time on the road/maintenance costs etc and if there had been a bit of investment who knows..........
@nkp765ful Yes, in 1996 one of the diesels on a freight train borke down. 844 was nearby, so she wound up pushing the underpowered train from behind to help with the load.
A beautiful beast! I wish I could have seen her when she was still running.
LandNfan 2 months ago
The problem wasn't so much the hole as the radius of the curve. Because of it's high center of gravity (large boiler) the J's were built with stiff drivers. That combined with the grade and heavy train caused the slipping. All of the sand in the world wouldn't make that radius any wider. The engineer did a fine job.
dcg1976 3 months ago
what man on this earth would ever dislike this video?!? its awesome!
cod4daworld 1 year ago
Sand!! we need sand!!!!!
penybontshed 1 year ago
@penybontshed ok shack.
southern4501isawesom 5 months ago
i love this video her and the big boy are my favs and i must say im no train driver but it look to me that it just got done raining and i know when steel and steel mite when wet is not helpen any
gmboy4life223 1 year ago
If all weight on the drive wheels, (NO leading or trailing wheels), would the drive wheels still slip?
Was sand being applied?
robertgift 1 year ago
Bad engineer!!! Also due to the actual design of the engine, for as heavy as she is, she is too light for the amount of tracktive effort she can produce. Byproduct of streamlining. I've seen her in worse spots though:)
haonmar 1 year ago
does the ns plan to revive her?
BNSF9250 1 year ago
The sparks falling into the ashpan in time with the exhaust near the end of the video was beautiful.
Dockshund 1 year ago
Its exciting that NS has decided to bring back the steam program....may not be the engines people want to see run the rails again but its a start with the 4501 if they get her running again....
TheSouthern4501 1 year ago
Could somebody explain to me how far a steam locomotive can go on a tank of water. Let's say 500 gallons. Could never figure this out
polewalker 1 year ago
@polewalker Depends on how efficient the engineer runs her, how steep a grade she runs on, and how much weight she's pulling. The more work the locomotive has to do, the more steam is needed. 500 gallons probably would not get you far because most carry well over a thousand gallons. For example, Canadian National #3254 at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA carries 7200 gallons.
guitboxchicken 1 year ago
Did someone rub bacon grease on the rails :-) ?
b43xoit 1 year ago
Fuel oil!?!? Please they already ruined the "authenticity" of the Challenger and all the others with converting them to oil. I agree what with Ross Rowland said on an interview while he was on the 4449 last sumer at Train Fest. When asked how it felt being pulled by the SP 4449 he commented while nice, it's not like being on the 614. It is not the full steam experience unless you smell and feel the embers. REAL steam locomotives run on coal.
BILLBKLYN 2 years ago
The problem is however cost effectiveness and safety. after lineside fire issues I agree with the decisions made by the UP Steam program.
dasbooterror 1 year ago
@BILLBKLYN - Yes but the '49 has ALWAYS run on bunker oil. She was never a coal burner.
deloreanman14 1 year ago
I'm gonna try to get a petition together to send to NS about starting a new steam program. Anyone know the e-mail for such issues?
Jamersonde 2 years ago
I've heard that all the 611 needs is new flues.Don't convert her to fuel oil,we need all of that for other things like keeping the railroad running now.Coal is cheeper anyway.I'm sure NS has enough extra money lying around to start another steam program.Maybe if they take away some of their big bonus's they might be able to get it going or maybe they could get a bailout from Washington to start it with.Look's like everybody else is getting money.
cacjy6b 2 years ago
From what I have heard the J611 does not need that much work, the main thing would be to convert her to fuel oil, no they do not need to be dragged out west, they need to have somebody at norfolk southern that gives a damn about a steam program. The 1218 however has been gutted and that parts scrapped and the tools sold from the roanoke shops.
rusttrail3 2 years ago
No more beautiful locomotive exists than the J #611!
Larsky1010 2 years ago
Need to drag em both out west where they know how to run a steam program!!!!!!
NICKEVJOE911 2 years ago
It's amazing; about 1-2 well placed steamers can do the same amout of work that About 5-6 diesels do. these are not facts it is my opinion.
Ponz67 2 years ago 3
Well the steamers have more weight and can power though it with less effort, they have equal if not more power then the locos they make today, They are a vital peice of history that is met to live, it built the nation before the highways systom it made our nation what it was, its just the steamers pump out soo much pollution, they take up lots of water and have more moving parts making for harder mantaince, they are dirtier, and cant take turns as hard due to being top heavy. still I like them.
manga12 1 year ago
Awesome! Love the J.
dreambuilders48808 2 years ago
put down the sand
foxrivermotorman 2 years ago
Wow! I sooooo wish they could get her running again. I would love to see 611 brought back to life. Thanks for posting.
bildaloco 2 years ago 4
Now THAT'S a serious burnout! Great video!
5*****!
DJGENEX71 2 years ago 2
Brilliant driving - with such fine control!!
And it's such a bittersweet thing seeing a J Class (one of the most beautiful looking of American steam locos) as they bascially outperformed diesels of the time on the road/maintenance costs etc and if there had been a bit of investment who knows..........
*****
HughFromAlice 2 years ago 3
Put steam back on the mainlines...can do everything a diesel can and look better doing it!
joeferrito 3 years ago 39
HELL YAH WELL SAID I agree
gaycowboy31 3 years ago
oh I definatlly agree with you on that aspect
gaycowboy31 2 years ago
@joeferrito Does even more than a Diesel can do. It takes four Dash-9 locomotives to do what one ALCO 4-8-8-4 Big Boy did.
SwampDaddy7 1 year ago
@joeferrito hecks yes. i remeber the up 844 helped out a broke down feight in the late nintys
nkp765ful 1 year ago
@nkp765ful Yes, in 1996 one of the diesels on a freight train borke down. 844 was nearby, so she wound up pushing the underpowered train from behind to help with the load.
thediremoose 1 year ago
she was gettin that train out of that hole one way or the other, damn what beast
jay600katana 3 years ago 13
beauty
Gus3ragin 3 years ago 5
This is some great footage! Great quality on the video also! 5***** and Favorite!
DJGENEX71 3 years ago
611 Burnout!!! GREAT VIDEO
LionelKid16 3 years ago 3
That was awesome!
DJGENEX71 3 years ago
what happened?
xspfdhardcorekid417x 3 years ago
She spun her wheels pulling the train :P
NightmareKato 2 years ago 2
i love this video :)
WhyAyeMann 3 years ago 2
I wish that when #611 and #1218 are under steam again they will pull passengers and freight soon in the future!
juligirl00 3 years ago 3
Amazing excursion!
juligirl00 3 years ago 2