J's were bumped down to freight service towards the end of their careers so this application is quite authentic. It would have been nice to see a caboose on the end but either way it's great to see that this locomotive can still do the job.
Shame the load wasn't a bit more taxing, remember that massive string of coal hoppers the 'A' hauled in the 80's? Nice to see though, mainly because NO STINKING DIESEL LOCO ATTACHED!
struck2soon She's kind of an empty shell, her parts have been removed from the overhaul in the early 90's, and at the same time NS closed their steam program, leaving the overhaul incomplete and many parts missing. But nothing's impossible, though it would be a HUGE task to try to restore her. I myself would LOVE to see the 1218 back!
+09trainman this really highlights the difference between USA and UK: here locos are owned by private individuals or groups who restore and maintain them, they are then operated on the national rail network by registered Train Operating Companies. It means you don't end up with the situation that due to the selfishness/stinginess of a railroad company not wanting to bother with what is effectively a national treasure then it just doesn't happen. I am sure there are enough wealthy people over there that would happily purchase and restore that engine, and wouldn't we all be better off for it?
There's an odd contrast between the modern freight and the old steamer, but, I like it. It proves that even though steam locomotives were retired, and the newest among them are well beyond their service life, they are still more than capable of revenue service if you give them a chance.
It is great to see her pulling freight again. Even though it was to help with breaking, She was still working for Norfolk Southern. There is nothing better than seeing a beautiful excursion engine from the 50's hauling and delivering today's modern freight.
Spectacular shots of N&W 611, this is great! Like your intro too :) This gorgeous beast can pull so much more, what did they do with the rest of her cars?
611 has been spending a lot of time at Strasburg recently and hasn't run fast like that in quite a while. I have to wonder if she's even still capable of doing so
Now this is a sight I thought I'd never see in my lifetime, a genuine revenue freight hauled by a genuine steam locomotive. Very nice job! If only something similar would happen here in Washington State where there are many different shortlines and 8 capable steamers to choose from.
Very nice video! I love 611! I'm so glad to see it's back in steam! Did you know that the Class Js had to go into the shop only every 1 1/2 years due to their all roller bearings? Darn, they could have pulled three or four times as much.
+NJRAILFAN & RACEFAN88 NKP 765 once pulled 40 empty hoppers up a 1.4% grade with no helper. these older steamers are stronger then most people think. trusty old workhorses
This proves that steam traction is better pound for pound than diesel traction. The J class, while built primarily as flagship fast passenger service, can definitely hold their own and possibly out-perform modern diesels in freight service.
went for a ride on nickle plate 765 she had no problem on those grades. absolute powerhouse. steam locomotives lack nothing but only lost out to diesels simple because steam is expensive to maintain and remains so today. steam is powerful and can be very fast. the top speed of 611 is somewhere around 110 MPH!!!
Prairie Dog Central #3 would move 12 freight cars. She wouldn't go too fast, She'd need to be on dead level track, Both her and her fireman would be busting their ass to do it, and she'd need a very careful man at the throttle, but she'd do it. With those cars sitting on roller bearings, it definitely helps when trying to start them moving from a dead stop.
Surprised it had enough steam for the wheels, lots of horn play. Grew up (my wife disagees) with steam in Barrington IL with the CN&W. Used to toss switches in the tower when directed too and helped at the turntable east of the depot. Sure wish I had a camera at that time..
when we put together the cars for this years ago they were kind of picky about the cars. Clean, good condition, good paint. the reason was when 611 moved the world watched. We tried to have NS and NW and Southern I know when people at NS see this string of yard junk they will take notice.
Another great video, what a beautiful machine...I doubt they made enough money to cover the cost of fuel on this run with that small of a load, but it looked good.
rich sheehan Well, if you think about it, they probably accomplished three things with this run; PR, move a small amount of freight and a ferry run to get her back to Spencer. Speculation on my part, of course, but awesome to see her working and not just putting on a show! Regards😊
I wonder if the people who built 611 thought she might still be occasionally pulling revenue trains in 21st century. Steam was already on the way out in 1950; N&W was an exception because they had a huge source of coal. Nowadays, things are only designed to operate for a few years before being replaced.
It's a shame such a beautiful streamliner like that is hauling freight and not the glamorous passenger coaches she was built for, but it's good to see she's still in service.
towards the end of steam on the n&w the rule was if a train needed to get over the road basically any engine was used heck the Pennsylvania designed the k4 as a passager loco but it was just at home pulling frieght
thought somethign on that line. but with so many fancy names these days one can never be sure. thought therefore i ask. thanks for the reply. greetings from Moscow.
Well, she was built for passenger service, and is capable of pulling 15 passenger cars at 110 MPH on the flats, so, 611 is no stranger to running from place to place quickly
When 611 pulls freight instead of steam excursions: *sad* When you realise, because it's not an excursion, it is technically legal for it to go faster like the old days: *visible happiness*
Haysdminis They did put the cars on for breaking, but this cut of cars would've went on a regular freight anyway. So this is a true legitimate freight train hauled by a steam locomotive.
That is an amazing sight, but the 611 was a high speed passenger locomotive. When it comes to mixed freights, its the 765 you want to pull them, she's meant for that.
Haysdminis back in the day she pulled 100 cars with ease and the brakes are Air Brakes and the steam locomotive has that type of brake so i don't think that they are helping and the Locomotive is controlling the brakes on the freight cars.
Anyone able to tell me what revenue freight is for is it just eye candy for the camera guys or is it sorta like mercanary work where the railroad pays railroad groups to do small jobs for payment
now why cant they let the 765 do this under her own power, she too is a freight loco, just once just once I want to see her, passnger cars are good, but put her under a load of freight just one more time for revenue down to the east wayne yard from a nearby city.
Pfft... they call that a consist? For a Mogul it is, maybe. But for a J class Northern? Tie something to her she'll actually notice! Give the Ol'Girl something to pull for god sake! They've got 80,000 lbs of tractive effort at their fingertips and they give her 12 cars....
Too bad NS was too blind to keep more of its Ladies like this one and others the early Diesels had lots of character and a nice museum with the steamers would have been Amazing.Out west the Trains have thrown us hats,Here in Norfolk the Police just chase you off after treating you like a terrorist....🤷♂️
ElfNet Gaming UP's Steamers are mainly used for excursions, but they do occasionally carry revenue freight when they are ferrying somewhere, which is something I'm assuming this is the reason this one is hauling freight in this video. You're probably not going to make a profit with these old steam engines, but you can make the cost to ferry it cheaper.
UP has done this in the past, 3985 once pulled 187 loaded flatcars up Archer hill in 1987. Not recently, but it's possible. BNSF has nothing against steam engines, but doesn't have a program with it's own. Therefore they have no right to force them to pull freight. CSX, however, is a different story.
J's were bumped down to freight service towards the end of their careers so this application is quite authentic. It would have been nice to see a caboose on the end but either way it's great to see that this locomotive can still do the job.
Great video! Good to see a steam loco pull a real load at line speed.
Shame the load wasn't a bit more taxing, remember that massive string of coal hoppers the 'A' hauled in the 80's? Nice to see though, mainly because NO STINKING DIESEL LOCO ATTACHED!
+struck2soon Even the coal train was light to 1218, they were empty. Between Williamson, WV and Portsmouth, OH, she can pull 13,000 tons at 42 mph!
+09trainman what is the state of the 'A'? It would be marvellous to see that engine back in steam...
struck2soon She's kind of an empty shell, her parts have been removed from the overhaul in the early 90's, and at the same time NS closed their steam program, leaving the overhaul incomplete and many parts missing. But nothing's impossible, though it would be a HUGE task to try to restore her. I myself would LOVE to see the 1218 back!
+09trainman this really highlights the difference between USA and UK: here locos are owned by private individuals or groups who restore and maintain them, they are then operated on the national rail network by registered Train Operating Companies. It means you don't end up with the situation that due to the selfishness/stinginess of a railroad company not wanting to bother with what is effectively a national treasure then it just doesn't happen. I am sure there are enough wealthy people over there that would happily purchase and restore that engine, and wouldn't we all be better off for it?
struck2soon Yeah.
Makes me wonder what she'd look like with a long string of auto-racks or intermodal wells. Such a gorgeous machine too, looks fast standing still.
+GT Stang I can direct you to the Ontario Southland RR for streamliners hauling autoracks. Granted, it's F units and not a J, but the idea is similar.
great video, I'm glad the 611 is back I used to go on trips back in the mid 80's and early 90's sure did miss the ole girl.
Beautifully filmed, and a wonderful sight, too.
It's videos like this that make me certain that P.R.V deserves so much more than the 10,400+ subscribers he has.
Feel like I am transported back to the 40's! Thanks for this great footage!
Incredible video. Couldn't ask for better locations, shots, everything... gold mine of a video! Beautiful, history-making stuff.
Well done! Awesome coverage!
There's an odd contrast between the modern freight and the old steamer, but, I like it.
It proves that even though steam locomotives were retired, and the newest among them are well beyond their service life, they are still more than capable of revenue service if you give them a chance.
It's cool to see the 611 pull some freight, that was awesome!
So glad when I saw they had put it back to running. I worked at the Roanoke shops till 1999. Have been on the excursions. behind the 611 in the past.
611: "A freight train! A freight train! A freight train!"
611: "The shame of it! The shame of it! Oh the shame of it!"
Daniel Creed thank you for this
Nice! I see you've made a Thomas reference! ;)
611: Dirty cars from dirty sideings
*E G G A A A H*
Wow, what I would have given to be there. Amazing video of an impressive show!
It is great to see her pulling freight again. Even though it was to help with breaking, She was still working for Norfolk Southern. There is nothing better than seeing a beautiful excursion engine from the 50's hauling and delivering today's modern freight.
Sure wish there was a caboose at the end of the freight train... :(
True, that would've been good, as back in the days, they had cabooses on the end of the freight train, sadly, they're more rare now. :(
there is one, it's behind the tender
@@jameshall3371 Looks more like a baggage car.
it's a tool car behind 611 auxiliary tender
Spectacular shots of N&W 611, this is great! Like your intro too :) This gorgeous beast can pull so much more, what did they do with the rest of her cars?
611 has been spending a lot of time at Strasburg recently and hasn't run fast like that in quite a while. I have to wonder if she's even still capable of doing so
611 Also Pulled A Frieght Train At The Strasburg Railroad When He Visited The Railroad.
It’s actually a she.
Oh man, dude this is a winner! Amazing video bro, that's so sick to see her in revenue service!
Thanks BRO! It was the fastest three hours of my life. It compares to nothing else I've ever seen in my 10 years as a railfan.
It would be fun for me to ride on the Norfolk & Western 611 someday! It's such a beautiful streamlined locomotive! *sighs happily*
Now this is a sight I thought I'd never see in my lifetime, a genuine revenue freight hauled by a genuine steam locomotive.
Very nice job!
If only something similar would happen here in Washington State where there are many different shortlines and 8 capable steamers to choose from.
she's coming through here in Thomasville in the morning my 4 year old nephew can't wait!
I saw it several years ago when they brought it up here to Moberly Mo. for Railroad days celebration.
We had a steam locomotive come through northern Ohio a few weeks ago.
Very nice video! I love 611! I'm so glad to see it's back in steam! Did you know that the Class Js had to go into the shop only every 1 1/2 years due to their all roller bearings? Darn, they could have pulled three or four times as much.
Well they did get monthly shoppings for boiler washouts and the such, but thats a day job.
very good vid keep up the good work
N&W 611 pull fright was awesome!!!
Use them if you got them! What an excellent way to move those old ladies from one event to the next or keep them busy between gigs!
Thomas Flansburg they are capable workhorse and have no problem pulling modern freight cars
+NJRAILFAN & RACEFAN88 NKP 765 once pulled 40 empty hoppers up a 1.4% grade with no helper. these older steamers are stronger then most people think. trusty old workhorses
This proves that steam traction is better pound for pound than diesel traction. The J class, while built primarily as flagship fast passenger service, can definitely hold their own and possibly out-perform modern diesels in freight service.
went for a ride on nickle plate 765 she had no problem on those grades. absolute powerhouse. steam locomotives lack nothing but only lost out to diesels simple because steam is expensive to maintain and remains so today. steam is powerful and can be very fast. the top speed of 611 is somewhere around 110 MPH!!!
Well done Adam! Great footage!
jay611 Thanks Jason! Good seeing you over that weekend.
It's awesome to see this beautiful machine finally back where she belongs, KICKING ASS AND TAKING NAMES! Mostly kicking ass to the folks in the EPA.
Great job!
Cool video! Although it would go nowhere trying to pull a train like this, my personal favourite locomotive is Prairie Dog Central #3, built in 1882.
Prairie Dog Central #3 would move 12 freight cars. She wouldn't go too fast, She'd need to be on dead level track, Both her and her fireman would be busting their ass to do it, and she'd need a very careful man at the throttle, but she'd do it. With those cars sitting on roller bearings, it definitely helps when trying to start them moving from a dead stop.
How often do streamliners pull freight?
Surprised it had enough steam for the wheels, lots of horn play. Grew up (my wife disagees) with steam in Barrington IL with the CN&W. Used to toss switches in the tower when directed too and helped at the turntable east of the depot. Sure wish I had a camera at that time..
always great
when we put together the cars for this years ago they were kind of picky about the cars. Clean, good condition, good paint. the reason was when 611 moved the world watched. We tried to have NS and NW and Southern I know when people at NS see this string of yard junk they will take notice.
Now there's streamliners pulling freight
still is awesome to see her in revenue service
I like the 611
+MLP Team I wanna see it irl
who doesn’t!
Another great video, what a beautiful machine...I doubt they made enough money to cover the cost of fuel on this run with that small of a load, but it looked good.
rich sheehan Well, if you think about it, they probably accomplished three things with this run; PR, move a small amount of freight and a ferry run to get her back to Spencer. Speculation on my part, of course, but awesome to see her working and not just putting on a show! Regards😊
J-611 is like Gordon when it goes really fast.
Apparently the 611 could add some NS coal cars and some boxcars. Other than that we have every rail car on the train.
Come on Did I really missed this on my birthday LOL
Does the 611 have its original whistle, the one she was built with?
Hope to see a coal drag with 2716 in the future
I wonder if the people who built 611 thought she might still be occasionally pulling revenue trains in 21st century. Steam was already on the way out in 1950; N&W was an exception because they had a huge source of coal. Nowadays, things are only designed to operate for a few years before being replaced.
J Type locos have the best chugging sound, simple most beautiful streamlined shapes but are dame slow.
It's a shame such a beautiful streamliner like that is hauling freight and not the glamorous passenger coaches she was built for, but it's good to see she's still in service.
what is the name of the song in the beginning of the video?
towards the end of steam on the n&w the rule was if a train needed to get over the road basically any engine was used heck the Pennsylvania designed the k4 as a passager loco but it was just at home pulling frieght
what does it mean - revenue service - ? in Russia and Austria ( where i was born and where i live now) we are not familiar with this term.
If I'm not mistaken, Revenue service is a fancy term for commercial freight and passenger service. Simply put, it's how a railroad makes money.
thought somethign on that line. but with so many fancy names these days one can never be sure. thought therefore i ask. thanks for the reply. greetings from Moscow.
my 2nd favorite steam engine other then the 1218
Is the first shot at the college in Lychburg?
why there always a passenger coach when steam trains pull freight
Is this still running revenue?
How did the 611 get from Danville VA to Ruffin NC that fast?
Well, she was built for passenger service, and is capable of pulling 15 passenger cars at 110 MPH on the flats, so, 611 is no stranger to running from place to place quickly
Hmm, was this technically an NS operation?
When 611 pulls freight instead of steam excursions: *sad*
When you realise, because it's not an excursion, it is technically legal for it to go faster like the old days: *visible happiness*
What font did you use for the N&W?
they put them on to help save 611 breaks. Look in the past you will see. I helped put them on there years ago for ferry moves with 611
Haysdminis They did put the cars on for breaking, but this cut of cars would've went on a regular freight anyway. So this is a true legitimate freight train hauled by a steam locomotive.
That is an amazing sight, but the 611 was a high speed passenger locomotive. When it comes to mixed freights, its the 765 you want to pull them, she's meant for that.
The 765 is capable but 611 can out-pull 765. But it would be more realistic for 765 to handle the freights since she was built for that.
Class Js did freight service in their final years.
are we going to say anything about the cars helping with the breaks?
Haysdminis back in the day she pulled 100 cars with ease and the brakes are Air Brakes and the steam locomotive has that type of brake so i don't think that they are helping and the Locomotive is controlling the brakes on the freight cars.
Haysdminis also the two cars behind the engine are support cars so if something breaks they can fix it and be on there way
GRE 2057 The other tender added to the engine is what supplied her water.
The Creepernator i should of put the Coach's Sorry about that
***** there is a COACH CONVERTED BAGGAGE CAR!!! ARE YOU THAT DUMB AND WAS I TALKING ABOUT THE TWO TENDERS NO!!!
her whistle in this video sounds like a slightly higher pitched j who has to cough with a chugged up throat, or about how it sounded in the mid 80's
Anyone able to tell me what revenue freight is for is it just eye candy for the camera guys or is it sorta like mercanary work where the railroad pays railroad groups to do small jobs for payment
There are 2 types of trains, excursion and revenue.
Revenue is making money
Why’s there a passenger car in the consist?
That's a baggage car converted into a tool car for maintenance, it's the norm for steamers on the mainline.
She's a cargo movin engine from n&w railway
So what was the reason for the freight run????
To save wear and tear on the locomotive's brakes. And, conveniently, the freight had to go where 611 was going.
@@09JDCTrainMan oh, that explains so much.
She looks great covered in grime
How well could she pull double stacks?
Depends on how many.
OK. Gotta go change my underwear now.
0:13 *Cue Raw Is War theme*
now why cant they let the 765 do this under her own power, she too is a freight loco, just once just once I want to see her, passnger cars are good, but put her under a load of freight just one more time for revenue down to the east wayne yard from a nearby city.
Why is there a passenger train locomotive hauling frieght
Js did haul freight at the end of their carriers.
Pfft... they call that a consist? For a Mogul it is, maybe. But for a J class Northern? Tie something to her she'll actually notice! Give the Ol'Girl something to pull for god sake! They've got 80,000 lbs of tractive effort at their fingertips and they give her 12 cars....
On ferry moves, 611 was giving some freight carrying
Give the old girl a real train, say 50 cars of coal.. Make her work a little and clean the soot out!!
Too bad NS was too blind to keep more of its Ladies like this one and others the early Diesels had lots of character and a nice museum with the steamers would have been Amazing.Out west the Trains have thrown us hats,Here in Norfolk the Police just chase you off after treating you like a terrorist....🤷♂️
Why don’t you pan your shots, instead of staying 1 direction
its either slightly to chugged up or to smooth to sound like a N&W j class whistle. i know its not the original whistle, its an ex UP whistle
Bumble Bee at 4:31 on your left!
No caboose. SADFACE! 😰
i wonder why they had her pull that train, and not add the cars on a regular train....whats so special about these cars?
611 was going from point A to point B, so they stuck some cars on her
611 whistle sounds like 4449
UP or BNSF wont do this.. passenger excursion side shows yes but regular service, no.
ElfNet Gaming UP's Steamers are mainly used for excursions, but they do occasionally carry revenue freight when they are ferrying somewhere, which is something I'm assuming this is the reason this one is hauling freight in this video. You're probably not going to make a profit with these old steam engines, but you can make the cost to ferry it cheaper.
UP has done this in the past, 3985 once pulled 187 loaded flatcars up Archer hill in 1987. Not recently, but it's possible. BNSF has nothing against steam engines, but doesn't have a program with it's own. Therefore they have no right to force them to pull freight. CSX, however, is a different story.
844 pulled a short string of revenue freights earlier this.year, and in the 90s the UP set the 3985 loose on a string of over 100 intermodals
@@quasimoto7662 really I say the BNSF should buy back a BN, or ATSF steamer thats on display and put her to work.