Are you riding on the North Carolina Transportation Museum N&W 611 excursions in April?

Man, I flipping wish I could ride behind the 611 again. Hadn’t seen her in steam since the late 80s if memory serves (when I lived in North Florida, the Jacksonville NRHS chapter did several excursions from there to Valdosta, GA and back through the 80s and 90s. I have fond memories of 611 and 1218 from those trips). I now live just under 3000 miles from anywhere she’s running these days, so riding won’t be an option.

Ironically, my brother lives near Manassas, Virginia and saw the last batch of runs through the area, but didn’t ride and had no interest in doing so.

I got my wife and me deluxe coach tickets for both April 9 and 10 excursions and hotel is booked. We are excited to say the least. 

Lee,

Wahoo!  There's a very good chance we were on some of those Jacksonville trips together.  I remember when the Freedom Train came through, twice, and I got caught with a bunch of other folks for speeding alongside the tracks on US1.  We all followed the local cop to jail in Waycross, GA, with my young son.  I think it was my yellow Fiat 124 Spyder.  They took me to the Piggly Wiggly to get a check cashed to pay the fine!  After that I took the boys on several excursions.  I'd forgotten about 1218 and have photos of us on the front of the engine.  Did a lot of video in the yards back then as we could walk right up to anything.  Later on went out of Atlanta and Asheville a few times if memory serves correct..  

I read the VMT page of rules and simply said no, too many rules, too many lawyers.  In reality those really were the days and today really is as good as it gets, in this time.

Time to get out the MTH J and the Lionel 38095 & 38026.

Richard

Also thinking of the June 4th trip from Manassas to Fort Royal. Might as well get as many miles behind her while I still can. 

Last year's weekend in Manassas was one of the most intense railfan experiences of my life, surpassed only by Labor Day weekend at STEAMTOWN with #765.

June 4 is also the Manassas Rail fest, a unique day can be experienced by riding behind #611 in the morning, coming back to Manassas just after noon, and then getting up close to 611 or ride on a VRE commuter consist for a approx. 12 mile roundtrip.
Although I have photographed the Manassas-Front Royal line since the days of #1218 trips 25 years ago, riding on the train gives a far different perspective as about 1/3 of the route is not visible from public roads.
I was on the 4th coach back from the engine, got great views on the sharp curves and while climbing Linden Hill.
Besides the attractions and amenities of rail fest, Manassas has its share of good food, I found great BBQ about 100 feet from the railroad station.

I will be back this year!
Warren W. Jenkins

Wish:  Yes!

Reality: NO!

I was able to get tickets for the family this morning for the Sunday Ashville run.  It looks to be sold out now.  Still some seats for Lynchburg left.

The last time I was on a train for any significant distance was a Southern Railway train in the 60s which my grandfather was the engineer. 

Really looking forward to this one. 

Wanted to, but this morning the Sunday Ashville run sold-out almost immediately

I hear you Gilly.

In 2014 we were on the 630 from Bristol, 2015 the 4501 from Bristol and was trying to pay attention for this one for this year but missed out last year . It was a wee bit to far away.

Seems like a lot of tickets for this one were gone way back??  Course you can still get a $600.00 plus ticket

Well hope it keeps running.

Larry

Just bought tickets for the Lynchburg trip.  I am originally from Lynchburg, in Charlotte now.