Steam & Excursion > More (the last) N&W 611 ...enough already!

1. On the first of two Atlanta-Toccoa trips, the 611 speeds through Oakwood, GA on 11/7/92.

2. Early morning at Suwanee, GA on the second Atlanta to Toccoa trip that weekend. 11/8/92

3. After lunch at the DQ and while the engine was serviced and the train turned, we would hike into Wells Viaduct for the return trip to Atlanta. 11/8/92

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4. Among the flowers working upgrade at Asheville, NC 5/30/93

5. Leaving Birmingham on the last trip of the NS steam program. The dreary weather fit the occasion perfectly. Dec 3, 1994

6. The 611 in the company of TVRM's 2-8-0 610 after arriving at Chattanooga, TN. Carl Jensen(L) and Jim Bistline have taken down the flags from the final trip, ending a little over 12 great years of what began on a sunny August 1982 morning in Birmingham, AL when the 611 first hauled an excursion train. Now twenty years later the 611 is back in the shop being restored to service. I look forward to being trackside once again to experience the 611 thundering past.

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NO!!!!! That's not "enough already"! ACTION photos of N&W 611 sure beats the crap out of dead-in-tow #4014.

Not one shot with a damn dirty diesel - any chance of that happening
after restoration??

Beautiful shots!

/Mitch

And plenty of open vestibules and mostly matched equipment. One can dream I guess.

Mgoldman Wrote:
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> Not one shot with a damn dirty diesel - any chance
> of that happening
> after restoration??
>
> Beautiful shots!
>
> /Mitch

Being the NS, it will be a damn spotless diesel.

masterphots Wrote:
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> Being the NS, it will be a damn spotless diesel.

Perhaps the N&W heritage unit - that would be much
more palatable.

Disclaimer: I be glad to see #611 under steam any
where with anything behind it. Just gladderer to
see it solo!

#1 and #2 .... Stunning images !

#4 is where it's at...fantastic catch! There was and soon to be is nothing better that hearing the J working upgrade, the stack talk was amazing. It was always a thrill watching her put those 80,000lbs of T/E to work. Goota love super heated steam at work.

Mgoldman Wrote:
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> Not one shot with a damn dirty diesel - any chance
> of that happening
> after restoration??
>
> Beautiful shots!
>
> /Mitch

I saw this on the FireUp611 Facebook page (under Posts by Others). Cheri George (committee member) wrote in answering a question:

"The consists will be shorter, diesel assistance is not likely. It will be Norfolk Southern's decision when they wish to add a diesel to the consist. Either way, we are very thankful to have this opportunity to run 611..."

Also on the page, it looks like they are already doing some work to get 611 ready for her move from VMT.

Good information, thank you. Cheri knows her stuff...she fired the 611/1218 back in the day and she sold a bunch of memorabilia on line to help the effort. I'm sure they are busy at the VMT getting her prepped for the move....such a wonderful time for us N&W fans.

>
> Perhaps the N&W heritage unit - that would be much
>
> more palatable.
>

The N&W heritage unit is blue, isn't it? I think the regular NS units will blend in a little better. If they had a Tuscan passenger geep scheme, that would be more palatable!

Never enough of 611. Great post!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

YG Wrote:
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> Never enough of 611. Great post!
>
> Steve Mitchell
> http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Amen to that! Post more 611 photos! You know you want to.

HRGXguy,
..and to think the 611 was built new in 1950….not really THAT long ago.