Steam & Excursion > N&W 611 on Christiansburg Grade (Drone Foaming)

On Friday July 3rd, after taking on Blue Ridge Grade as seen here: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,3793929,3793929#3793929 611 once again went up against the Virginia hills climbing the famous Christiansburg Grade.  Here we see here climbing the grade at Shawsville, VA with 21 cars and her aux tender with what seems like ease on the 1.34% grade.  Enjoy!

Tehachapi-TJ Over & Out.

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I hate to be negative but-watching a streamlined steam locomotive that can top 100MPH and watching it pass by at a closer to Strasburg RR speed I find truly depressing. Come on guys let her show her stuff!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/15 14:09 by WauhopM.

Nice video. I was there that day, somewhere in that crowd of photographers under the tree. Watching, listening, and feeling 611 as it attacked Christianburg Hill was one of the most impressive experiences that weekend. You don't need to be going fast to display raw power.

WauhopM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hate to be negative but-watching a streamlined
> steam locomotive that can top 100MPH and watching
> it pass by at a closer to Strasburg RR speed I
> find truly depressing. Come on guys let her show
> her stuff!!
Depressing, that locomotive was bringing a 21 car train up a ruling grade of 1.5% or more without a diesel helper and doing a great job of it. The trill of this engine is that it can and did do this all the time when that were the passenger power on this line.

Sharon Evans
Glen Allen, VA

      Yes, rather obvious that it was working hard on a grade and never failed. I was impressed and wish I could have been there.
 

I enjoyed the video!!

She can really dig in with those small drivers....for a Northern.
Chris

Depressing???  The original AMERICAN MADE MUSCLE "car". Roanoke iron,
drone on.  great stuff.
dave j
 

Thanks for sharing !

WauhopM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hate to be negative but-watching a streamlined
> steam locomotive that can top 100MPH and watching
> it pass by at a closer to Strasburg RR speed I
> find truly depressing. Come on guys let her show
> her stuff!!

City folk jist don't git it

awesome video

JayK Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
You don't need to be going fast to display raw power.

Amen, Brother ;-)

Fritz in HSV, AL

WauhopM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hate to be negative but-watching a streamlined
> steam locomotive that can top 100MPH and watching
> it pass by at a closer to Strasburg RR speed I
> find truly depressing. Come on guys let her show
> her stuff!!

On Saturday and Sunday speed was much faster, on both the Blue Ridge and Christiansburg grades.  

Impresive to say the very least.  I liked every bit of it.  It is great to hear a properly timed valve gear do its work up grade.

Awesome!

tehachapi-dave Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> On Friday July 3rd, after taking on Blue Ridge
> Grade as seen
> here: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.
> php?10,3793929,3793929#3793929 611 once again went
> up against the Virginia hills climbing the famous
> Christiansburg Grade.  Here we see here climbing
> the grade at Shawsville, VA with 21 cars and her
> aux tender with what seems like ease on the 1.34%
> grade.  Enjoy!
>
> Tehachapi-TJ Over & Out.

Simply spectacular!  And, Drone Pacing as well!  You cannot ask for more than this.  I say, "Thank You; well done."
redberan4449

Great video Dave, makes me want to take a vacation next year to see her in action myself!

The locomotive was doing all it could for the conditions.  We were on sand in the drizzle pretty much from Shaffers Crossing on.  This was the ruling grade and the locomotive was set up just right.  Any other throttle/reverse combination would have set it slipping.  Rail conditions change everything.  The following day, as was mentioned above, was done at a markedly higher speed through here.