Steam & Excursion > N&W 611 staying at Strasburg Rail Road for the winter.

Class J 611 Concludes 2021 Operations

The Virginia Museum of Transportation and Strasburg Rail Road announce the conclusion of scheduled 2021 operations for the former Norfolk and Western Class J #611.
Appearing at the Strasburg Rail Road for the second time since 2019, the engine drew thousands of visitors and rail fans from near and far.

“It’s been an honor to host 611 at the Strasburg Rail Road again, and it’s been a privilege for tens-of-thousands of our guests to experience such a significant locomotive right here in the midst of beautiful Lancaster County,” said Steve Barrall, Vice President of Guest Experience at the Strasburg Rail Road Co.

“The Museum’s partnership with Strasburg Rail Road Company has worked exceptionally well. We are thrilled to have an opportunity to operate 611 and continue the heritage of steam railroading for new generations to experience,” said Will Harris, President of Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc.
Class J #611 will remain at Strasburg Rail Road Company through the winter where the locomotive will undergo annual inspection and preventative maintenance, including a planned inspection of the boiler’s flexible staybolts and caps, as required by the Federal Railroad Administration’s regulations.

The Norfolk & Western J #611, a National Historic Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, is known as an engineering powerhouse of steam, technology, and near mechanical perfection.
Announcements regarding future 611 operations will be published through official channels when appropriate.

Virginia Museum of Transportation: The mission of the Virginia Museum of Transportation is to advance all modes of transportation across the Commonwealth, to celebrate and preserve the hard work and ingenuity of generations past, and to inspire current and future generations to value this industry which is essential to Virginia’s history,
culture, and economic growth. Located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. For more information about the Virginia Museum of Transportation: https://www.vmt.org

Strasburg Rail Company: Established on June 9,1832, the Strasburg Rail Road is America’s oldest operating railroad and home to the Norfolk and Western Class M 475. As one of Pennsylvania’s leading family attractions, it is home to museum-quality, working, turn-of-the century steam locomotives, freight cars, dining cars, and one of the largest fleets of historic wooden passenger cars in the world. For more information on Strasburg Rail Road, visit www.https://www.StrasburgRailRoad.com.

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That is great news and perhaps the two organizations can work out another agreement to operate the N&W 611 in 2022.  Best wishes to both organizations, and for any of you who desire to see and ride with a First Class Organization, I encourage you to come visit the Strasburg Rail Road up in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area.  The Strasburg R.R. is a place that I visit at some point every year as it is always enjoyable.  And no, I am not a volunteer or worker for the Strasburg and I am not paid to promote them.  This is just my honest opinion.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

Of course, running a steam engine anywhere, for any distance is quite a treat, but isn't the Strasburg about a 5 mile run at 15mph? Such an awkward situation for a J to be in.

Posted from Android

Great news and you got some time till next summer to negotiatate with NS for a short move. Then a few excursions on the Reading and Northern with 425 and 2102 before a summer residency at Steamtown. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/21 16:24 by grlhughes.

grlhughes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Great news and you got some time till next summer
> to negotiatate with NS for a short move. Then a
> few excursions on the Reading and Northern with
> 425 and 2102 before a summer residency at
> Steamtown. 

Now that's a great idea right there!

P Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Of course, running a steam engine anywhere, for
> any distance is quite a treat, but isn't the
> Strasburg about a 5 mile run at 15mph? Such an
> awkward situation for a J to be in.
>
> Posted from Android
Whoever you are, this subject has been covered on here before.  It is far better to have this great locomotive in action on the Strasburg then sitting cold in a museum.  We older folks most likely got to either ride behind this locomotive or one of the other great 4-8-4's in the bygone years but for the current younger generation, they have not had the opportunity to witness a large main-line steam engine in operation.  My two grandsons were absolutely amazed at the size of the 611 and even though we all have been for rides on the Strasburg in the past, there is no comparison to being there with the 611.  And I do not think that they only do 15 MPH, but probably a top speed of 20 to 25 MPH when coming back to Strasburg.  The railroad is 4 1/2 miles long.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

NS is now apparently granting only one RT ferry move per year.  Out and back to one location, your choice.

TrackGuy

TrackGuy Wrote:
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> NS is now apparently granting only one RT ferry
> move per year.  Out and back to one location,
> your choice.
>
> TrackGuy

Interesting but also depressing yet also understandable

Posted from iPhone

TrackGuy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NS is now apparently granting only one RT ferry
> move per year.  Out and back to one location,
> your choice.
>
> TrackGuy

What is your source?  Are you just guessing when you use word appaently.
RT means round trip which is not being used at this time.  Your conflicting with what you post.

Will 611 be running on the Strasburg Railroad this summer?