611 in Strasburg, Pa

Go to the Strasburg RR Website.  They have the best information.  In reality the line is fairly short so needing to "track" it is probably a moot point.  Maybe a couple of miles at the most.

you can view what's going on at both ends of the railroad here.

611 was sitting quietly in the yard a week and half ago as we passed by on the way to the 0 scale show.  Looked kind of plain and smallish.

@Tom Tee posted:

611 was sitting quietly in the yard a week and half ago as we passed by on the way to the 0 scale show.  Looked kind of plain and smallish.

Gee, when you stand next to it, it looks anything but small!

@yardtrain posted:

We are heading out to see the 611 this weekend. Does anyone know if there is a website, app or such to track where the 611 is on it's way over to Strasburg ? Also can you listen to the cab chatter on a cell phone app?

Take a look at the operating schedule on the website.

A round trip is 45 minutes. From the station, the train usually takes about 20 minutes to Leaman Place, it spends about 5-10 minutes there, and then takes 15-20 minutes back to the station.

In my experience, one of the best places to photograph is Carpenters Graveyard. Train usually comes by 10 minutes (Eastbound, running backwards) and 25 minutes (Westbound, running forwards) after scheduled departure time.

Leaman Place is also good.

J Tower (on the West end of the station complex) gives an opportunity for good shots as the engine is not moving fast in that area as it runs around the train. These were taken as the train arrives back at the station (45 minutes after scheduled departing time).

@Prr7688 posted:

In my experience, one of the best places to photograph is Carpenters Graveyard. Train usually comes by 10 minutes (Eastbound, running backwards) and 25 minutes (Westbound, running forwards) after scheduled departure time.

I agree. My wife and I have photographed trains here. It is a bit eerie to be waiting in a graveyard for trains, but I was dying for some good photos...

Enjoy!  I took my then 11 year old "train buddy" son on a ride behind the 611 from mid-Michigan to Ohio.  It was spectacular fun!  As I recall, there was a special, "open car" that you could ride in located directly behind the tender.  We did ride in that car during one leg of the trip.

In many ways, I suspect that the train ride behind No. 611 was something akin to riding on a "Presidential Special" train in decades past.  Many if not most of the railroad crossings in the towns and cities were filled with eager onlookers, children hoisted on shoulders, with many taking pictures and videos.

Some of the most priceless scenes happened during occasions when the train would be operating parallel to a highway or expressway.  To see the faces of people in autos running alongside the train was fun -- most if not all were --"shocked, shocked!" -- to see a steam engine going by!

Have fun!  Nothing like the N & W No. 611!  Well, maybe one streamlined loco...

@Tom Tee posted:

611 was sitting quietly in the yard a week and half ago as we passed by on the way to the 0 scale show.  Looked kind of plain and smallish.

And riding behind her you can feel the track taking a beating even though its below 60mph!

   ALWAYS a good time at Strasburg!!