Thanks for posting the video.I rode the NW steam fan trips from Chicago To Fort Wayne IN from '89 to'91.Too bad that opportunity is probably gone forever.
@mrmartyman7 type "611 irondale hill" into the search box and watch 611 spin out four times trying to get a passenger train up irondale hill. She finally gets down to about 1/3 throttle and man does the smoke start to belch out and way up in the air as 611 shows you just how much low end pulling power a big steam engine had. She brings the train up and under a bridge and finally to the top of the hill chugging hard all the way.
@PereMarquette1223 couldnt tell ya if i knew... all i know was when i was in roanoke in march 1218 has nothing inside her jacketing.. i heard some parts are in a box car.. but somes status is unknown
@HaloCE14 Just tell me where to write and I'll do it. I rode behind the 1218 twice and the 611 once. It is a crying shame what they did with them. At least they didn't scrap them. They have souls, ya know...
That is some fantastic video. I rode behind that mighty beast in the late 80's/early 90's and just love watching these vidoes to take me back to those days.
@HaloCE14 I plan on writing a letter to them on restoring 1218 and 611. I will also state that they should restore Graham County 1925, Southern Railway 722, Milwaulkee Road 261, and Frisco 1522 if it's possible. I know those engines are way out of reach and a long ways away, but every bit helps.
I sure hope the new steam program that is having Southern 4501 revived also comes to the Virginia Museum Of Transportation to revive 611 and 1218. 1218 looks and sounds like such a magnificent locomotive. She must have been amazing to watch in real life.
That was defiantly OWL and his stealing second wife. Great Video lets all hope that the new NS steam program will grow over time and this great loco will run again before my boiler time is up
The Southern Railway steam program and the N&W and NS Steam program were awsome at least 16 years after cancelling it there bringing it back The F units that they are using are nice but not as beautiful as the 4501 class J 611 and N&W Class A 1218
WHAT DO YA KNOW!!!! I have that same run taken on video by an amateur. I've been wanting to get it up. And the video was taken right where she was spinning out, right in front of the camera.
I tell ya 1218 could pull!!! It was a way better at heavy loads than Union Pacific's challenger and was more efficient than the challenger. Meaning it could pull heavy loads up heavy grades but still have some speed.
Its kinda funny, that looks just like link to me. From videos I have seen, the guy in this video walks just like him. He even noticed that you were filming right when he connected eyes with you and got out of the shot as quick as he could. Also if you notice the woman behind him, kinda pulls him out of the way also. Has to be O winson.
Could somebody please explain to me why we're importing and operating Chinese steam locomotives while gorgeous machines like the 611 and 1218 sit idle? Anybody?
the engineer sure know how make 1218 sing but sadly there is almost no chance hearing that in person again =( R.I.P. 1218 and 611 and all the other steamers that may never turn another wheel under steam power again
I like that steam locomotive aside Union Pacific 3985, in my town in Portland Oregon, we have the Daylight 4449, and the SP&S 700, and at the roundhouse they are currently restoring another steam locomotive.
Upon rewatching, I just have to say that the second best part of this video (after the engine, of course) is the absolutely indecipherable Shenandoah Valley good 'ol boy radio chatter, particularly that they were still calling CSX "C&O."
halo mr link lives again at train festival 2009. unfortunately the 1218 and other n&w steam engines wont be there wish the 1218 was because i have a very large chandelier with a working 1218 on it. that will be on show. but there will be 8 other historical trains, the 1225, daylight 4449, leviathon, glc,s and others . i am only 40 but when the train passes it gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes??? you just know that if their were a 2nd god then those amazing powerful forces would be it!
@DASCO2136, they _are_ powerful compared to diesels. I have heard 4500 HP stated for a large diesel (smaller ones pulling freight were 3500 HP). J 611 put out 5000 HP if I remember correctly, and 1218 would of course be more.
@b43xoit Actually the engines operating when 1218 and 611 were operating were around 3,000 horsepower. So it would take about 5 SD40-2s, C30-7s or U30Cs to equal the same amount of horsepower produced by 3 N&W J class steam engines. And for 1218, i would think it would be the equivalent to an AC6000CW or 2 SD70ACe's/ES44ACs
I agree. I miss the 1218, but as a kid when I saw it in operation that whistle scared the living @#*( out of me!! I'm amazed that such a small item (the whistle) could produce such a loud noise!!
I remember as a boy living in the mountains of dickenson co. Nothing living out there but a cluster of coal mining families, dirt poor. I'd lay in my bed and hear that lonesome whistle echo through the mountains. My thoughts wondering where that big train was going to.
That's the lonesome whistle everyone writes about in their songs
Great video and great sound. You done an amazing job catching all of that on film. Catching the three starts on the mountain was awsome. I just wish I could have lived during the age of steam so I could have seen it over and over. Thanks for sharing this with us.
the start on the hill is what those engines sounded like in regular useage spectacular so good to hear a working engine take that diesel lovers!! and imgine laying in bed at nite and hearing that whistle echo in the hills gone but not forgotten
WOW!!! This is a great vid! The part where you can only hear the engine trying to start on the mountain is haunting. Joni Mitchell said it best, "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til it's gone..."
Good stuff!! I live near most of these spots....makes me sad to see 1218 under the shed at Roanoke...but we still have her....but she was made to run...not sit....
He had to have been getting up in years. Wasn't he the guy who did all the great night shots, using lights? That was some fantastic still photography.
Yeah, Sylvania flashbulbs. He'd wire them to fire off when the train reached a certain point on the track. Some of the lights that looked in the photos like ordinary indoor lights visible through windows where strategically placed flashbulbs as well. They didn't have ASA 800 film in those days, and no xenon flash tubes either.
Thanks for posting the video.I rode the NW steam fan trips from Chicago To Fort Wayne IN from '89 to'91.Too bad that opportunity is probably gone forever.
dmarqu11 2 months ago
NOW THAT'S MUSIC! They really need to bring the two N&W engines back, 611 and 1218!
speediracer4 2 months ago
no sand?
rocksmeller99 4 months ago
Best part around: 4:25
CSXAC6000CWFAN 5 months ago
I really loved watchingv and hearing this steamer roll beautiful music.
that is a shame about her and the steam program.
mrmartyman7 7 months ago
@mrmartyman7 type "611 irondale hill" into the search box and watch 611 spin out four times trying to get a passenger train up irondale hill. She finally gets down to about 1/3 throttle and man does the smoke start to belch out and way up in the air as 611 shows you just how much low end pulling power a big steam engine had. She brings the train up and under a bridge and finally to the top of the hill chugging hard all the way.
boblackey1 7 months ago
:( sad to know she is a shell of her former self
southern4501isawesom 8 months ago
@southern4501isawesom What happened to the parts NS did not put back in #1218 when she was left in pieces after the NS steam program was cancelled?
PereMarquette1223 8 months ago
@PereMarquette1223 couldnt tell ya if i knew... all i know was when i was in roanoke in march 1218 has nothing inside her jacketing.. i heard some parts are in a box car.. but somes status is unknown
southern4501isawesom 8 months ago
@HaloCE14 I already have a stamp on the envelope!
KKolchak 10 months ago
@HaloCE14 Just tell me where to write and I'll do it. I rode behind the 1218 twice and the 611 once. It is a crying shame what they did with them. At least they didn't scrap them. They have souls, ya know...
KKolchak 10 months ago
That is some fantastic video. I rode behind that mighty beast in the late 80's/early 90's and just love watching these vidoes to take me back to those days.
stixxx79 10 months ago
@HaloCE14 I plan on writing a letter to them on restoring 1218 and 611. I will also state that they should restore Graham County 1925, Southern Railway 722, Milwaulkee Road 261, and Frisco 1522 if it's possible. I know those engines are way out of reach and a long ways away, but every bit helps.
Chris9017 10 months ago
I sure hope the new steam program that is having Southern 4501 revived also comes to the Virginia Museum Of Transportation to revive 611 and 1218. 1218 looks and sounds like such a magnificent locomotive. She must have been amazing to watch in real life.
Chris9017 1 year ago 2
why the heck did you over lap the sound for the chatter at 6:45? i was expecting to hear the engine but you ruined that segment of the video
TandemDawgBMG 1 year ago
That was defiantly OWL and his stealing second wife. Great Video lets all hope that the new NS steam program will grow over time and this great loco will run again before my boiler time is up
jkelly40 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
this is pretty fucking gay if you want my humble opinion
xlpolo 1 year ago
The Southern Railway steam program and the N&W and NS Steam program were awsome at least 16 years after cancelling it there bringing it back The F units that they are using are nice but not as beautiful as the 4501 class J 611 and N&W Class A 1218
boweandrew3 1 year ago
This was made on my birthday sweet!!!
Uhate2likeme 1 year ago
The first scene of the A is incredible. Nice exhaust, great whistle, a nice smoke plume, and decent speed!
stlgevo51 1 year ago
WHAT DO YA KNOW!!!! I have that same run taken on video by an amateur. I've been wanting to get it up. And the video was taken right where she was spinning out, right in front of the camera.
wwrr98 1 year ago
why did they stop on the mountain?
shininghappyperson7 1 year ago
According to my memory and the radio chatter at about 2:00 the thought they might have a sticking brake or hot box.
640Radio 1 year ago
@640Radio oh,i thought it was something like that.great video i loved watching it seeing as i will never see this locomotive operate!
shininghappyperson7 1 year ago
I tell ya 1218 could pull!!! It was a way better at heavy loads than Union Pacific's challenger and was more efficient than the challenger. Meaning it could pull heavy loads up heavy grades but still have some speed.
Bassfanatic94 1 year ago
her whistle is wonderful and pretty.
JasonsStories 1 year ago
this was neet, I was expecting her to sound somthing like 611, I noticed she is not a "j" clase. what is she?
sajdrj 1 year ago
@sajdrj
the 1218 is an A class engine. they where 2-6-6-4 arrangement, and capable of 114,000lbs of power, out pulling UP's steamer.
ljones121 1 year ago
@sajdrj
the 1218 is an A class engine. they where 2-6-6-4 arrangement, and capable of 114,000lbs of tractive effort, out pulling UP's steamer.
ljones121 1 year ago
will she ever be run again?
ModalTrains4884 1 year ago
@ModalTrains4884
We can only hope, NS has resurrected the steam program but its of much more southern flavor(yuck)
ljones121 1 year ago
@ljones121
lol, it's a start tho. Gotta start somewhere.
ModalTrains4884 1 year ago
A museum of Link's photos is in Roanoke; sound recordings are available there as well.
b43xoit 1 year ago
Love that compound-engine sound.
b43xoit 1 year ago
I LOVE NORFOLK loud echo scream of excitment every time i watch this video
can't hear this angry beast with the modern ones running around.
SaberTanker22 1 year ago
Its kinda funny, that looks just like link to me. From videos I have seen, the guy in this video walks just like him. He even noticed that you were filming right when he connected eyes with you and got out of the shot as quick as he could. Also if you notice the woman behind him, kinda pulls him out of the way also. Has to be O winson.
FlatBlackXtreme 1 year ago
Sounds like a the Tyrannosaurus rex from Jurassic Park.
thediremoose 1 year ago
I was out there that day and shot some video on 8mm sony video.
bushwacker2008 1 year ago
Could somebody please explain to me why we're importing and operating Chinese steam locomotives while gorgeous machines like the 611 and 1218 sit idle? Anybody?
deloreanman14 1 year ago
@deloreanman14 because it cheaper
northersteame 1 year ago
I love the inclusion of the radio chatter. Thanks for sharing!
jch9596 2 years ago
the engineer sure know how make 1218 sing but sadly there is almost no chance hearing that in person again =( R.I.P. 1218 and 611 and all the other steamers that may never turn another wheel under steam power again
southern4501isawesom 2 years ago
the beautiful Steamboat whistle :D
GECP4256 2 years ago
AWESOME VIDEO!!! GREAT!
augustoblues89 2 years ago
I like that steam locomotive aside Union Pacific 3985, in my town in Portland Oregon, we have the Daylight 4449, and the SP&S 700, and at the roundhouse they are currently restoring another steam locomotive.
lewismcfarcry 2 years ago
Upon rewatching, I just have to say that the second best part of this video (after the engine, of course) is the absolutely indecipherable Shenandoah Valley good 'ol boy radio chatter, particularly that they were still calling CSX "C&O."
crwi1983 2 years ago 2
Too bad that they don't make video tapes anymore.
TrainSounds 2 years ago
I've not seen them all of course, but this is certainly high in the running for "Best Train Video on YouTube"!
Spectacular!
crwi1983 2 years ago 2
This is one of my favorite steam engines.
The whistle have a spooky but cool sound. I love it!
buntik1687 2 years ago 7
Comment removed
ble643 2 years ago
halo mr link lives again at train festival 2009. unfortunately the 1218 and other n&w steam engines wont be there wish the 1218 was because i have a very large chandelier with a working 1218 on it. that will be on show. but there will be 8 other historical trains, the 1225, daylight 4449, leviathon, glc,s and others . i am only 40 but when the train passes it gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes??? you just know that if their were a 2nd god then those amazing powerful forces would be it!
mccarthylori 2 years ago
They seem to be that way. When you shoot them from a very low angle, it makes them look mighty and powerful compared with today's diesels.
DASCO2136 2 years ago
@DASCO2136, they _are_ powerful compared to diesels. I have heard 4500 HP stated for a large diesel (smaller ones pulling freight were 3500 HP). J 611 put out 5000 HP if I remember correctly, and 1218 would of course be more.
b43xoit 1 year ago
@b43xoit Actually the engines operating when 1218 and 611 were operating were around 3,000 horsepower. So it would take about 5 SD40-2s, C30-7s or U30Cs to equal the same amount of horsepower produced by 3 N&W J class steam engines. And for 1218, i would think it would be the equivalent to an AC6000CW or 2 SD70ACe's/ES44ACs
DASCO2136 1 year ago
Great stuff!
CSX6000 2 years ago
nice vid.
jimbo2317 2 years ago
OMG MY Grandpa gots this on video with me next to it coming down the tracks OMG I love this train
George21T 2 years ago
To volunteer with ANY steam programm you must know steam. Look for steam engine manuals. They are rare and expensive but worth it!
DanielVolker 3 years ago
Mr. Link, a good 1218 slip/stall, 80's NS, and one of the loudest whistles you will ever hear. This was a pleasure for the senses
LackawannaLtdVideos 3 years ago 12
I agree. I miss the 1218, but as a kid when I saw it in operation that whistle scared the living @#*( out of me!! I'm amazed that such a small item (the whistle) could produce such a loud noise!!
NWPowhatanArrow611 3 years ago
I remember as a boy living in the mountains of dickenson co. Nothing living out there but a cluster of coal mining families, dirt poor. I'd lay in my bed and hear that lonesome whistle echo through the mountains. My thoughts wondering where that big train was going to.
That's the lonesome whistle everyone writes about in their songs
boogerlip 3 years ago
Great video and great sound. You done an amazing job catching all of that on film. Catching the three starts on the mountain was awsome. I just wish I could have lived during the age of steam so I could have seen it over and over. Thanks for sharing this with us.
WMfan69 3 years ago
the start on the hill is what those engines sounded like in regular useage spectacular so good to hear a working engine take that diesel lovers!! and imgine laying in bed at nite and hearing that whistle echo in the hills gone but not forgotten
1238love 3 years ago
haha, O Winston Link (whats worse is I know who that is...)
drglinski 3 years ago
WOW!!! This is a great vid! The part where you can only hear the engine trying to start on the mountain is haunting. Joni Mitchell said it best, "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til it's gone..."
BadEditPro 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing this priceless footage. Hopefully more folks will follow suit.
varailfan 3 years ago
wow powerfull!!!
AuburnRails 3 years ago
What a great video you've shared here. Thanks so much for sharing footage of this wonderful machine.
hoolg 3 years ago
An awsome engine whith one of the best whistles ever!
steamdriver2 3 years ago
Great video! Thanks for sharing those wonderful sights and sounds!!
rayman4449 3 years ago
Good stuff!! I live near most of these spots....makes me sad to see 1218 under the shed at Roanoke...but we still have her....but she was made to run...not sit....
DV5100Z 3 years ago
Was that a joke or did you really think it was Link.
trainboy94 3 years ago
I think it was Link. Some who knew him agree.
640Radio 3 years ago
who is link?
redneckframe1991 3 years ago
I believe they're talking about O. Winston Link, a famous N&W photographer.
hoolg 3 years ago
He had to have been getting up in years. Wasn't he the guy who did all the great night shots, using lights? That was some fantastic still photography.
rjwinz 3 years ago
Yeah, Sylvania flashbulbs. He'd wire them to fire off when the train reached a certain point on the track. Some of the lights that looked in the photos like ordinary indoor lights visible through windows where strategically placed flashbulbs as well. They didn't have ASA 800 film in those days, and no xenon flash tubes either.
b43xoit 1 year ago
WoW great video, wish i could of seen her run.
2102FAN 3 years ago
Love the haunting strains of the old steam whistle while running along the Neue River. I LOVE THAT VALLEY!
mscwolf 3 years ago