Inspired by the N&W 611 (photos and video)

Rich,

That is my favorite video so far. Nice job Lad!

When I first clicked on the video on YouTube, I wasn't in my subscriptions (it was a recommended) so I didn't realize it was your video. When I got to the model J, I thought "That looks just like Toytrainsontrack's layout!" Then I realized it really was your layout, and laughed. I thought it was the real thing!!!! Great job!

WOW, it shines like a new penny, I wonder how long they can keep it that clean!   Great looking train, looks like they restored all the passenger cars as well.

 

You did a great job! I enjoyed it!

RICH THANKS FOR POSTING REALLY NICE VIDEO. I LIKE THE SHOT PULLING INTO MANASSAS, NOW THATS A QUILLABLE WHISTLE

Rich, what a nice day for you and your son, and congratulations on another great video - as usual.  The slow run through town was fantastic. If it wasn't for the people moving in some of the footage I was sure it was your Black Diamond layout. I really like your low angle camera perspective that creates the T-Rex effect that you mentioned.  

Absolutely marvelous video, as are all of your productions!

 

Thanks you for posting.  I have been watching quite a few videos of the 611 in the last several weeks and I must agree with Big Jim, "My favorite video so far"!

 

Thanks fro posting,

Don

Loved the video! Still anxiously awaiting BDR volume IV!!

 

Your comments about the 611, saying something made it special, kind of makes me wonder about all the great engines we will never get to see on the rails. It does feel like steamers are alive,  which makes it extra sad to just see them sit.

Very nice!

Hi Rich,

 

That just made my night, gotta love the power of the chuff from the 611.

Thanks for taking the time to shoot this amazing video.

 

Alex

Rich, you are absolutely right. I was standing five or six feet or six feet from the 611 when she went pounding through The Plains Saturday morning. There is nothing like the feeling of the bass chuff of a steam locomotive inside your chest. Speakers and HD do not do 611 justice!

 

(I sound like a total foamer).

Sigh....watching that video really makes me miss operating steam on the Cheyenne Frontier Days train.  I chase it almost every year but I don't see much point without steam.  

 

No matter how many times I see live steam, it's always still cool.  Sigh again.

Jim

I would be proud to have shot that video. Your camera angles and production are absolutely right on. What a wonderful day to share with your son. I enjoyed that video tremendously. Your shots of the Class J on the layout caused me to do a triple take. Layout? No. Real . . . ? Layout. No. Yes. Wow !

 

Eliot

Absolutely GREAT Video znd photos Rich!!! Many thanks!

Rich, absolutely stunning video--thanks for shooting, editing, producing and sharing it with us here.

Rich,

 

Stunning video thanks for posting.

 

I chased and rode the 611 back in the 80's several times and it was a great time and now to see it back running in 2015 is truly amazing. 

Thanks everyone!  The sounds are tremendous.  When it pulled out in the morning the whistle was so loud people were covering their ears.  I didn't, I wanted to take it all in, even if it meant a blown ear drum.  The sound of the engine accelerating in the first scene is my favorite.  My new camera captured the sounds very well, but again not the same as being there.  Also, as it slowly passed by in Manassas at the end, you hear and feel the ashes raining down.  My son said it smelled like gunpowder.  It was fun and I really enjoy doing the video.  Glad you guys like it.

 

Rich

Rich,

 

I'll watch this video again in the morning, and it will get me all fired up to get downstairs

and get to work !!!!!!!!

 

Alex

Great video!  I am just picking up on that there is no additional diesel behind the locomotive.  I have heard several reason for this including insurance requirement, back up power, additional breaking power.  What is the reason and why would this not apply to many of the recent 611 runs?

Mike

Great video!

Peter

Outstanding video!

 

Thanks for sharing.

thank you rich

 

wonderful video and a lifetime memory for your son and you

 

j

Many years ago the old southern shops in Irondale, AL-- a suburb of Birmingham-- did a lot of the repairs/maintenance and restoration of the 611 and the 1218. I got my courage up, and drove into the yard to see what I could see-- and after spotting the back half of the engine sticking out of the shop I stopped and got out to take a closer look. I asked one of the workers if it was OK to nose around-- and he said as long as I did not go inside the shop building it would be OK. Seems like I shot some photos, and when the 611 made her maiden voyage as a test pulling a freight-- I loaded up the boys and my wife and we chased it from B'Ham all the way to above Attalla Alabama filming with a cam corder. Lots of pacing, some crossing shots, etc. I remember my oldest son was about maybe 7 at the time, and we stood by the track at the first crossing as it came around a curve and came blasting by. Scared him to death and he burst out crying-- this is one awesome piece of machinery at speed. We followed it until it stopped on a siding and just stayed there, and later we found that it had some problems with Rod Bearings over heating, and possibly they were waiting on a diesel to help get it to Chattanooga or back to Birmingham. To see this monster at 60 or 70 MPH, and those huge rods moving up and down is pure magic to a gear head. That's when I remembered the phrase "noting but teeth, hair and eyeballs" would be all that was left if that rod gear came apart at speed. They ran many excursions back then, and the son and I rode behind the 1218 from B'ham to Chattanooga and back. Really great memories, and with those engines coming back into service maybe a whole nuther generation can see what big steam is all about here in the east. Not just the UP/SP folks.

Great video. Thanks for posting.   

Fantastic video Rich. Just what I needed before starting work. Thank you for taking the time to film and share it with us.

 

Bruce

Really well done video.

Great video. I hope this will be in your next video with other great train action of your layout.

A great day for you and your boy Rick - Thanks. I stumbled upon 611 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo back one evening in the early 90's and and was invited up into the cab by a volunteer fireman (he was a medic from New England). We spent a few minutes talking and then my family watched her pull 23 passenger cars out the next morning. Would love to have caught some images of her crossing the TN River on one of those bridges!

Great video as always Rich-thanks for taking the time to get it, edit, and post.

 

I was amused at how tight the reins were on 611 in your video; I remember pacing her at better than 90 MPH between Jacksonville and Valdosta back in the 80's- yes, Graham Clayton was at the throttle and 611 was prancing along with little effort dragging 18 passenger cars behind her on the level. Those main rods were just flying.....

 

Pacing 1218 was another good day as well.......The old freight engine will get up and go as well.

Very nice.

Rich, nice video I'm with big Jim best video so far. Saw 611 once pull out of Alexandria Va. In the 80's been my favorite engine ever since. Got the Williams "J" on sale for father's day, only tested it out, but like Alex will have to run mine. I don't have cars for it to pull but my old Lionel Silverliners. I have some old K-line track I can set up on the porch to run it on.

 

I remember when you did your last lay-out video alot of forum members said you should do a video of just running trains on your lay-out; I'm for that!

Rich,

Very nice, looked like a great day. Question for those in the know.....why sometimes black smoke other times white smoke out of the main stack.

very well done, thanks for sharing!

Outstanding video and to spend time with your son - doesn't get any better than that

Awesome video Rich!  Your pacing shots are fantastic. Thanks for sharing. Your new camera may be nice and does a great job, but your talent shines through and through. 

 

Jeb

Rich,

 

Best video of 611 I have seen thus far. Awesome job. Thank you.

Give you goosebumps! Quite amazing how quickly and how perfectly this engine came out of mothballs, and now runs beautifully and never looked better. 

 

That's what happens when influential people (of means) who know what they're doing get together and get things moving. A salute to the clubs that get these engines running as well, even if it takes them five years of work (Milw. Rd. 261) or more. That's real devotion.

Let me add a hearty AMEN to the comments above - your video is the best I've seen of 611.  In addition your words capture the spirit of being part of this magical moment.   Thanks for sharing Rich.

 

Ed Rappe