611 deadhead Roanoke to Manassas?

I also saw the Wed. date mentioned but never the departure time from Roanoke. I understand ferry move times are not firm so are usually not published. Passing times need to be calculated by mileage and speed.

 

http://www.railserve.com/event..._southern_steam.html

Looks like I'll just keep my ear to the ground tomorrow and be ready to wait!

There is absolutely no way to know for sure with a deadhead/ferry movement. The train goes when it can be sequenced in with the regular traffic. There is a crew call for 7am this morning, but that itself means nothing. It could leave at 8, 9, or 10am or even later. Typically, if all fits well, they'll be out between 8 & 9, but never bank on it. Those who've been around the dance floor with this topic will never give you an exact time because there is no such thing with a deadhead move!

Thanks, Bob - glad to have such a reliable source of information.

Facebook post at 10:30 claims she is on her way. That's the posting time possibly not the departure time.

Had an amazing time chasing 611 today.  Here it is going upgrade through Red Hill, VA, with 18 cars and 4 gons:

It's just an overwhelming experience, and this photo certainly doesn't do it justice.  Hope you can all see this locomotive for yourself some day.

Sheesh!  These photos are killing me.  I can not wait until this Saturday the 6th.  Its taking forever to get here.

Lordy Pete !  That photo just reeks POWER !

I saw it as it came into Manassas. It decoupled from the ever growing number of passenger cars, and backed into a siding.  The siding is just south of Stonewall Road. you can get to it from VA Route 28

Look Ma, no diesel.

 

Thank you Norfolk Southern and the guys who care for and operate 611.

 

Long may she reign.

I'll second that!  It's just amazing to see how much joy it brings to everybody it passes.

https://www.facebook.com/ed.sh...629&notif_t=like

 

Let's see if this works. Here is a Facebook page with a video of it passing through Orange Virginia yesterday. One of my buddies sent the page to me. I had no idea the 611 was running again. That must have happened very quickly. Needless to say I book a pair of dome seats for my son and I for the Sunday morning trip

Thanks for sharing the video - love to hear the wonder in the children's voices.  Hopefully NS's 21st Century Steam Program will breed a new generation of fans as it did for my son back in the 80's.  We would go down to the Southern yard in Alexandria, VA after the excursions and the crews would invite the kids into the cab.  Probably can't do that today but just being trackside as it steams by fuels interest.

 

Ed Rappe

A big thanks to Garland Harper who took these interesting photos at Lynchburg.

611 picking up

Those are a great series of photos, thanks for the link Jim.

My brother could practically walk to where this is running, but I doubt he will.

I live about 2000+ miles from the nearest NS tracks, but I saw her running in the 80s. I'm just glad everyone else gets to see her in steam, especially those who were too young the first time...

Thanks for the photos Garland and Jim.

In Manassas on Friday, parked as an Amtrak train passes by after leaving the station. And a tight shot of the top front.

 

David

I got a couple of shots this afternoon of the Manassas Train station and the nose of the 611.  She was sandwiched between a Norfolk Southern Engine and some freight cars and the railroad police wouldn't allow us to get any closer.  Anyway, I thought I would go ahead and post them anyway.

Agreed; thanks to both.

Gives me goose bumps watching the video.

Was it the engine wiper's day off.

 

Just kidding.

 

I don't mind seeing the workaday grime on a locomotive. They are hard working machines, not runway models.

Chased the 611 today at a few places on its deadhead from Manassas back down to Lynchburg: here it is working up 1.4% Arrowhead grade, just south of Charlottesville.  The sound was amazing, and the fireman sure seems to have things under control!

Beautiful photos everyone....it's great to have her back.

One more from me. Got lucky here - lots of smoke for a long time. Shot a frame on film, but I doubt it'll turn out. Too slow a shutter speed. Had a blast all weekend.

 

David

Nice one!

Nice video.  Thanks for sharing.

Ouch! That is WAY too much smoke! That is not good...

Black smoke is waste!   OTOH, ....makes you wonder how much of that is intentional, ie. for effect ?

In my opinion, THAT much smoke would not be "for effect". More like a new/newer Fireman trying to catch up, or get ahead.

I gotta say it.I love her whistle and you picked a nice spot.

Well, here's the film frame I mentioned before. Not bad. Yes, some motion blur. Cropped from horizontal.

 

And if the O gauge folks I was talking with at the crossing are members of the forum, hello! Didn't get the chance to ask.

David