N&W 611 test run successful

Big Jim - I think it's just the photo. I think the trim looked fine "in person". Here's another shot...

Please note that "throttle time on 611" is ONLY within the museum grounds, and NOT out on any main line.

The 611 is now being painted.

And for anyone who wondered what 611's aux. tank would look like, well here it is.  Painted by Norfolk Southern. 

What the heck color is that stripe?!?!?!  Has Lee Willis been over there with a paintbrush in his hand

I hope they don't forget that "Norfolk" is part of the RR, I want to see it here one more time!

That was my fear Bob:

I'm afraid Lee has already taken control of the "creative" process of "Fire up 611".

Lee...just in good fun buddy.

Charlie

Hot Water, quite frankly, any throttle time on the 611 would give me great pleasure! it would give me an opportunity to run a steam locomotive just like my Grandfather did back in the day when he was a locomotive engineer, something I was never able to do in my 37 1/2 years of service as an engineer...... 

What railroad did you retire from? I know that whenever I've been out on the 4449, 844 or 3985 as Fireman, many times our Engineer allows an "interested old head" pilot Engineer some throttle time on his own district. It is certainly a shame you never had that opportunity on you home road.

Agreed........just getting in the cab of 611 under fire would be great......I was a much younger man last time. 

In a time long ago I was a steam loco engineer at Carowinds park on the NC & SC state line. I'd often think about my great grandfather, B&O engineer, and how I'd loved to have him ride with me. Seeing 611 working will be great!  

Yeah, I realized that immediately, though I must agree it sure does look odd initially when you see that shot.

Interesting colors on the aux tender, I guess I was hoping it'd go back to how it looked back in the day (and behind 1218 until the 90s) but there's no question it'll look great behind 611!

That's how it's done in the real world.

Paint the dulux, mask for stripes and lettering, paint the maroon, mask and paint the black.  Remove all the masking and presto!

Rusty

Charlie,

Maybe Lee hasn't REALLY finished painting his "J", the gray could be a primer coat and the yellow stripes......

Hot Water, I have worked on the B&O/Chessie System/CSX/Conrail/and the NS. the last 20+ years out of Waynesburg Pa., Shire oaks and Conway Pa. Started in 1977 and retired last Dec. 2, 2014. Never once had an opportunity to be involved with any steam power. My Grandfather was a Pennsy engineer, with more time behind the throttle of a steamer than he cared for! He was a great fan of the diesel! So, yes for me, this could very well be my one, only and last opportunity to have the throttle in my hand, steam or diesel.....

That A-Tank will look nice behind 765, too.

The aux tender is on the move.  From Norfolk Southern's Facebook site:

"NS GP40-2 #3068 shoves a short train of boxcars and the Norfolk and Western water tender across the Chickamauga Creek bridge along Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's mainline in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Freight and Norfolk Southern power is a rarity at this location, and the N&W canteen is even more rare for a TVRM movement."

https://www.facebook.com/norfo.../?type=1&theater

Tickets go on sale tomorrow May 6,2015 for the general public, .  They can be purchased here. 

I don't get this, why is the aux tender going to TVRM and not Roanoke? Is 611 heading there once it's steaming?

And why was a freight diverted directly to their shop area? TVRM has their own power to do a move like that.

Here's today at the museum - working on cover for the fireman's-side cylinders.

David

Obviously, you don't understand.

Yeah, it follows that not understanding something is generally the key reason for asking a question about it, otherwise the question doesn't need to be asked as I'd already know the answer.

Discovered we have other plans on the day the inaugural run Saturday, June 6.

Maybe I can find some time to chase the train on Sunday. 

The A-Tank is headed for St. Louis here it will accompany Y6a #2156 on its dead-in-tow, 25 mph move from St. Louis to to Roanoke. Tool car 1407 will also be in that train.

Thanks Rich....I didn't know either.

Are the 611 trips one way......find your own way back??? Bus back?? Didn't find a detailed trip description. Thanks

The June and July trips are all round trips.

Throttle time on the #611 !

Here  is a chance for me to redeem myself !

I gotta win this !

Glad I get those e-mil notifications!!!

I've seen plenty of ferry trips one way.....And when itinerary is 'A to B' leads one to wonder. Should be ' A to B and return'.

Way too late! It has already been sold out.

Rich

 Do you know the timing of Y6a 2156's trip from St. Louis to Roanoke?  It would be special if the Y6a was back in Roanoke along alongside class A 1218 for 611's homecoming May 30th.

Ed Rappe

I told the 611 guys all about about you. They are all armed and have been instructed to shoot you on sight. 

This is a low-priority, 25 mph special move running on no set schedule. It may move by day or by night, whenever the railroad sees fit to put a 25 mph train out on 60 mph track.No way to know where it will be when.

Rich - Thanks for the reply.  I can only imagine how challenging a 25 MPH move would be on busy routes between St. Louis and Roanoke. I'll start a new thread on 2156's move back to Roanoke so as news breaks it can be shared on the forum.  Threads like the 611 one have been very helpful - thanks Chris for starting it.

Ed

According to Hot Water, you obviously didn't understand, either.

You, of all posters, should have know that, since you participate on RYPN and TrainOrders, don't you?

Got two tickets for the morning trip on 6/7 out of Manassas to Front Royal. We are excited!

Got two tickets Manasas to Front Royal for June 6 run.  Looking forward to riding the 611J

again!

It would be a darn shame if NS "accidently misplaced" that Y6a (sort of like the 1218) once they got her back to Roanoke...

Sorry, St Louis!

Hi Gilly! We're doing the July 4th afternoon trip too. I also bought a ticket for the June 13 Lynchburg to Petersburg trip. Very excited, will be my first 611 excursion! 

Here are a few photos I took at Spencer today. She's really coming along and the crew is working hard to put the finishing touches on her. I was able to watch one of the steamchest sheet metal covers being made while there.

Those are the first photos I've seen showing 611 with her valve gear and drive rods reinstalled. 

Rich - after an rebuild like the one 611 has gone through is it required to test the locomotive at speed prior to declaring it ready for excursion service?  If so I'd expect  the restoration team have to take 611 out on the NS main to do some 40 MPH running prior to the May 30 run from Spenser to Roanoke.  It's getting interesting!

Ed