The Last Run of the N&W 611 - Dec. 7, 1994 - Part 2
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- This segment includes the Lynchburg to Roanoke portion of the final run of the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam locomotive on its return home. At the end of this segment, the 611 is seen passing the Roanoke Shops where it was constructed in May, 1950.
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It was a sad day on this occasion, Pearl Harbor Day, 1994. Black flags were affixed to the front of the locomotive and we thought it was the end of the world. The black cloud had a silver lining! 20 years later, she's on her way to coming back! I'm sure some people who remember and loved this locomotive departed this world in those 20 years, but a new generation can enjoy 611 now as will as all those who remember and are still here. I road behind 611 from Buffalo, NY to Erie, PA in 1985. I'll never forget doing 70 MPH with 22 coaches and the roar of the exhaust at that speed.
Can't help but I SOO MISS that beautiful, powerful and mournful N&W deep Hancock 3 chime 611 carried from 1991 to when she was mothballed again for second time on Dec. 7, 1994. I'm happy and grateful she's back again thank God and understand Preston Claytor's( current owner of the whistle in this video which was formerly owned by his late and great father Bob Claytor, who was the N&W President turned first CEO and chairman of today's Norfolk Southern from 1982 to 1987 and responsible for bringing back 611 & 1218 into the excursion program for the railroad at the time, passed on for keeps to him when Bob died in 1993 to Cancer) harsh disapprovement of the "Spirit of Roanoke" decal applied to both cab windows of the locomotive, which I personally don't blame him for you. Sure it truly represents where she's from and to all the hard working folks who worked for the N&W railroad in Roanoke or the system in general, but I'm also sure there's a whole bunch of people like myself that want to hear that or any other remaining N&W Class J "deep" steamboat whistle put on her indefinitely. Putting another railroad's whistle on a N&W steam engine especially 611 is pure mutney and a disgrace to all the deceased N&W people and railfanning community.
+Dylan Watson She's got her voice back this year!
I could not have said it better myself! :)
I saw this while driving north out of Danville,Va. that day and got to see it several times while it headed north along the tracks that are seen form the highway in several places. It was awesum!!
I have a picture of me standing in front of it from the early 90's. I saw it in the museum in Roanoke 2 years ago, It's not the same. It needs to be out on the rails where all can see it.
I have ridden behind 611 five different times on three different routes.
Beautiful and majestic quite right and she is coming back 20 years later. Fire Up 611!!
@Automcanic
Actually the death nail for the steam program was the incident that happened in Lynchburg, VA. Some one lined a switch into the track where the consist was parked over night, and a road train made a shoving move into the yard supposedly blindly and struck the consist with some force. I heard estimated the sped was between 10 to 15 mph. It was shortly after this that the announcement was made canceling the program.
Love the shot at 4:30....all those cars & traffic wondering what is going on lol Just a beautiful sight. Hope she is brought back someday.
No other locomotive ever had a voice like hers. You hear that whistle, you don't even have to look; you know it's her! I sure do miss her.
@Automcanic
David Goode was actually a supporter of the steam program. When it came down to pull the plug on the steam program he was out voted by other members of the board of directors. Remember Norfolk Southern's primary purpose is to move freight for its customers and make money for its shareholders.
One of the reasons railroads shy away from steam excursions is the stupid complaints from people. On one of their last steam excursions, CSX got complaints that ranged from soot on laundry to a farmer who said his cows stop giving milk. They paid these people money shut them up of course to avoid negative press, even though the complaints were stupid. It's crap like this and the fear of getting sued that causes the RR Brass to avoid really cool excursions and steam operations.
TOTALLY AWE INSPIRING! Everyone needs to come together and get a petition together and force NS to see that she deserves to rule the rails once again! THANK YOU for posting this great footage of the most beautiful steam engine!
J 611! 5*****!
So fucking majestic. Beautiful engine.
its just so sad to see such a beautiful sight like this not run today. ;_;
look at all nthe cars in the last segmant wow thats alot
261: Best of the Midwest
611 and 4449. Best of the East and the Best of the West...
David Goode Sucks as he took away the steam program!
I love how they are pulling some actual freight!
but where is the caboose?
@tenthovi this is true. Maybe they had to save money to buy Conrail, lol.
Bedford? Home of Zippo?
She will breathe fire again if the money is there, go to the fire up 611 website and donate. I was going to leave you a link here but youtube won't let me do it. Do a google search (:
8:39
Say it isn't so 611.
This was the day after dumb and dumber came out