Steam Train: Pacing NW 611

Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 J 611 paced from Waverly, VA 9/4/82. My wife was driving.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• NW
• Norfolk
• Western
• Railway
• railroad
• steam
• locomotive
• 4-8-4
• 611
• passenger
• train
• Gort

[GCFX3072]

I believe this engine still runs correct?

[e44e33]

She's in Roanoke at the Museum.

[thad73va]

starting at about 1:35 I swear I hear the whine of 645's turbo. Was this loco assisted for some reason?

[e44e33]

She was unassisted. What you may be hearing was some interference from the car's (a 1975 Datsun 280Z) electrical system being picked up on the VCR.

[daborgdorff]

@the4000class : Well, by hearing the rhytme of the 70'' diameter driving axles, you are able to calculate the speed. Where I'm counting some 210 strokes per minute .., so with the rotating frequency f = n/60 = 3,5 Hz, regarding on the circumference of those (4) D-wheels, you'll get : v = 3,5 x π.D = 3,5 .π.(0.7 x 2,54) = 19,5 m/s or ca. 70 km/h or else some 44 mph ... Hopefully at your service (-: dAb)

[rube44]

Rode the Powhatan Arrow along this track on Sundays evenings to Norfolk in 1954. That Christmas we were late leaving Petersburg, Va. by 15 minutes. We made it to Suffolk on time.I went to the conductors room to check out the speedometer during the run and found we had reached 90 mph. Quite a ride.

[JerryNSretired]

Dunno about 1954, but trains in most all cases are restricted by track limits and FRA regulations. Maximum speed, except for the Northeast Corridor is 79 MPH.Norfolk Southern steam trains were restricted to 45 MPH after a derailment and up until the excursions were annulled by the CEO. Having worked with and around the steam trains, I find all the comments on YouTube about steam trains makin' 90 and beyond is mostly wild imagination! More like 50-60 MPH!

[JeffHendrie]

How fast is it going? I have a model of a normal 4-8-4, and yes, nukunfuts1000, it too, hauled some serious [donkey].

[trainmaster555]

Did they replace the steam whistle?

[nukinfuts1000]

That thing is hauling some serious ass

[renardgrise]

@e44e33 there is talk of getting her up and running again...though I have not heard anything as of late. I would love to go for a ride myself ;-)

[grizzleybearz282004]

IF ANYONE DOSENT ALREALY KNOW THIS WAS AND IS ONE OF THE BEST MEADE ENGINES TO EVER HIT THE RAILS I WOULD HAVE LOVE TO BEEN THERE TAPEING IT 5 STARS 

[blitzspeer]

This is my favorite steamer of all time.The A1 tornado was sweet too and the 3780,4449 and Big boy 4-6-6-4 but the design and sound of this old beautiful giant makes you envy the engineer.

[Bassfanatic94]

@HaloCE14 Probably because of the fact that the whistle is extremely old and soon got worn out. Just like 4449.

[daborgdorff]

@irish89055 -- thanks (-: dAb +>

[kleetus92]

What's unfortunate is the side rod slap... I've seen a couple different videos of this engine running this route, but this is the first I've heard the side rods... wonder if it was later in the trip?

Nice catch though!