There's a big press conference tomorrow at the Virgina Museum of Transportation and the local television stations are speculating that the Norfolk & Western Class J #611 is coming out of retirement and once again will be used for excursion service. We will find out tomorrow.
Scott Smith
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Keep us posted Scott! That would be great to see the most beautiful engine in the world on the rails again.
On the subject, I love how the NS Heritage Facebook page says to not spread rumors... thats a laugh! What else are we suppose to do?!? lol
That would be good. Keep us posted.
doug
VMT recently did some impressive feats in regards to fundraising. I'd be that is what it is about! As I said in another post, if I had a buck for each "is the 611 being restored by NS?" post, I'd be a millionaire.
NO.
NO.
Wow! You sound like you really mean it! HAHAHAHA
<just messing with ya>
WOW, Would that be great, but for now I am happy to see ex Southern RR 2-8-0 #630 running 4 hour trips. I just sent in for my tickets for the Asheville to Old Fort trips on April 20 and 21. A great trip around the loops on the grade going west. I guess #630 will need to run in reverse on one leg of the round trip. There is no wye at Old Fort yard, to reverse the steam engine. Any other guess as to how this trip will run?
Jim H.
I would give my left #$@ for that to happen, but at this point until I hear that 3 chime Hancock and see coal smoke from her stack... I won't hold my breath. With it including the NRHS, the N&W Historical Society and such I would think a fund raising type of event or joint venture ect...
I just sent in for my tickets for the Asheville to Old Fort trips on April 20 and 21. A great trip around the loops on the grade going west. I guess #630 will need to run in reverse on one leg of the round trip. There is no wye at Old Fort yard, to reverse the steam engine. Any other guess as to how this trip will run?
Jim H.
There is a wye at Old Fort....about a 1/2 mile east of the depot backing up to I-40.
Kevin
NO.
I get it, I get it... it's the 1218. *hides under desk*
looking at the Google Maps pictures, there is barely enough of a tail track to allow the 630 to run through the wye. i also looked at the loops --- wish I could get the time off to take this trip
.
NO.
Somebody may be eating their shorts.
http://www.fireup611.org/main/index.php
looking at the Google Maps pictures, there is barely enough of a tail track to allow the 630 to run through the wye. i also looked at the loops --- wish I could get the time off to take this trip.
maybe enough for 630, the water tank and the baggage car. Just run the diesels around on the passing siding.
The question becomes whether the work the engine at 10-15mph like the old days, or use the diesel and go speeding up there at 30mph as has been done on the Amtrak trips. Considering the number of people that will probably show up to chase it, it may not matter much. It's going to be a madhouse up there.
Kevin
NO.
Rich Melvin, Publisher
O Gauge Railroading magazine
You'd better hope not Rich. When she steams again, and she will, they'll be saying "What 765?"
Asheville/Old Fort Trip
I rode the Carolina Special from Asheville to Greensboro on the last leg of my zig-zagging rail trip across the U.S. in April 1953 upon Navy discharge in San Diego. What I recall is the constant switchbacks and the six tunnels between Coleman and Ridgecrest--some probably "daylighted" by now.
Although not written about as much as troublesome Saluda on the Spartanburg approach to Asheville, it was equally difficult in a different manner for the engineers. It was also much more scenic but without all the thundering 2-10-2 pushers/pullers as at Saluda .
Latest News HERE.
Asheville/Old Fort Trip
I rode the Carolina Special from Asheville to Greensboro on the last leg of my zig-zagging rail trip across the U.S. in April 1953 upon Navy discharge in San Diego. What I recall is the constant switchbacks and the six tunnels between Coleman and Ridgecrest--some probably "daylighted" by now.
All the tunnels are still there. 9 of them, I believe.
Kevin
Well,well well I'll be da****...Interesting that they have put this group together...what do ya know..
Originally Posted by CWEX:Well,well well I'll be da****...Interesting that they have put this group together...what do ya know..
was that Nut or Arm ?
Uhm...that would be arm....I couldn't find the "A" and after that it was just ruined for me so I opted for **......
Could not have arrived at a better time for me! This won't be cheap or easy; there are some gigantic challenges ahead...but never give up. Best of success to all those awesome folks involved here.
Well in all fairness to Mr. Melvin, no firin' up nothin'. Merely a study to find out if its feasable. At this stage of the game its probably as likely as that bigboy running again.
Hows that mohawk coming along in Indiana by the way, is that ready for a fire in the firebox yet? Gotta be getting close.
I think we have enough steamers which run. How about placing money for the ones which are display.
Anyway, most people don't give a rat's EOT if the steamer is 611, 844, 8985, 4449, 765......
I'll go out on a limb and predict it will never come to fruition. Not that it wouldn't be great, but I sincerely doubt that the financial and personnel resources are there to make it happen.
I'll go out on a limb and predict it will never come to fruition. Not that it wouldn't be great, but I sincerely doubt that the financial and personnel resources are there to make it happen.
dont bet on that.. If UP is gets there BIGBOY ROLLING AGAIN Bet on other RR CO will want to get there famious steamers back on the track too!!
NO.
Rich Melvin, Publisher
O Gauge Railroading magazine
You'd better hope not Rich. When she steams again, and she will, they'll be saying "What 765?"
Buzzz-WRONG!!! Now, the 1218 would be a different matter.
would love to see the 1218 being restored first..because they stoped in the middle of redoing the fire box and boiler when the steam program was halted ..would say just finish the restoring prosess that was in the mild in 94..
Kevin, Thanks for the info about the Wye East of Old Fort, I have never noticed it on my many trips along I-40. Thei will make the trip evern better.
JimH.
I'd feel better if our economy was on its feet again. The money will be hard to come by.
would love to see the 1218 being restored first..because they stoped in the middle of redoing the fire box and boiler when the steam program was halted ..would say just finish the restoring prosess that was in the mild in 94..
Yes, restoration was in progress on 1218, and all the parts are stored in an old box car in the Roanoke Shops. But, I think 611 would be much cheaper to get running again, as that was in good condition when the Steam Program stopped. To keep the roller bearings from getting flat spotted, 611 is moved back and forth under the shed a few times a year, and parked in a slightly different location. Note: This info is two years old, from my last visit there. So do not hold me to it. I am a PRR fan, and it makes me cry when I see the GG1 not being kept up. The outer sheet metal is rusting away.
JimH
Either way guys it still is a positive thing....they are gonna look into it. If it happens great...if not we'll keep waiting.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
