Steam & Excursion > N&W 611 images

Since the N&W 611 will soon be back in operation, I thought I'd post a few images from its first rebirth. Nothing special here, just some views over it's 12 years of operation in excursion service that I think shows the great power and beauty of this engine. And that's not something I say lightly, having SP Daylight 4-8-4s going by our house in Glendale, CA on a daily basis until my early teens. I'll post my 611 images over the next week.

1-3. After test runs, on 8/20/82 the engine and her train are ready to depart Birmingham, AL, heading home to N&W rails and Norfolk, VA.

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4. On the way to Atlanta, steaming through the kudzu at Lovick, AL 8/20/82

5. Same trip at Riverside, AL.

6. After an overnight in Atlanta, next day crossing Wells Viaduct at Toccoa, GA 8/21/82

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7. Second overnight at Salisbury, NC drew a bit of a crowd. 8/21/82

8. After a couple of weeks in Roanoke, it continued on to Norfolk. Here it's on Blue Ridge grade, VA 9/4/82

9. Passing through Blackstone, VA 9/4/82

More to come



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/14 15:31 by masterphots.

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Alan - Many thanks for posting your photos!! We did not realize how good we had it back in the day. I got a cab ride in the 611 from Roanoke to Lynchburg back in 1986. Frank Collins was the engineer and it was the smoothest cab ride at speed that I have ever enjoyed. Thanks for Bob Claytor and Jim Bistline for making it possible!! I am enclosing a couple of photos of the builder's plate from the first J - #600. One of my favorite plates!

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Gee...I've never seen anyone complain about the color scheme (as in 4501). I wonder why???

masterphots Wrote:
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> Since the N&W 611 will soon be back in operation,
> I thought I'd post a few images from its first
> rebirth. Nothing special here,

"Nothing special here" -- You are too modest. These are great shots!

Some of the best shots I've seen of the 611.You can see the name and the whole steam engine not a head on shot you shot the way I do don't care for head on shots.Again very well done

These are wonderful images ! What a handsome paint scheme and streamlined design.

the most classical beauty--love her mellow whistle--will be so great to see her back once more

These are some great shots! Looking forward to your promise of more...

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Beautiful photos indeed. The 611 is a race horse that can pull like a mule...Roanoke's finest.

With her--was it but 70-inch drivers--yet counterbalanced for 110 MPH and roller bearings front-to-rear, I can only IMAGINE and wish that I could have experience the ACCELERATION of this magnificent machine!!! :-) The 80-inch drivered beauties normally had the top edge in speed, but the N&W 600s were true mechanical MARVELS with that "low gearing" from the startup phases, then being able to get 'er on up to such speeds. I suspect she'd beat some of our favorite 80-inchers in a "Drag Race" due to those lower drivers. This is what has always fascinated me about this particular locomotive...

Red Wrote:
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> With her--was it but 70-inch drivers--yet
> counterbalanced for 110 MPH and roller bearings
> front-to-rear, I can only IMAGINE and wish that I
> could have experience the ACCELERATION of this
> magnificent machine!!! :-) The 80-inch drivered
> beauties normally had the top edge in speed, but
> the N&W 600s were true mechanical MARVELS with
> that "low gearing" from the startup phases, then
> being able to get 'er on up to such speeds. I
> suspect she'd beat some of our favorite 80-inchers
> in a "Drag Race" due to those lower drivers. This
> is what has always fascinated me about this
> particular locomotive...

With out question. The N&W needed the J's to accelerate back up to speed quickly and maintain 40mph over the N&W's system. The J's consistently turned in 15,000 miles per month.