N&W 611 test run successful

Rickoshay, thanks for the photos.

Hey, where am I in the photos? The photog in the white hardhat. Anyway, nice pix, and here's some video of the move to the turntable as 611 was put on a different track. Hope this works. Don't do much video. It's MP4.

David

OK, couldn't resist - here's some pix.

David

I just bought my ticket for the 4th of July.Can't wait to see the 611 run again!

Dan

Trains Magazine is reporting that the 611 will be under steam on Sat May 9th....

Is the FRA Form 4 day ???

Does anyone know if the work on the pilot/leading truck has been completed ?

It has not, since it, the engine truck, needs new wheels and there is not a functioning drop table at the Spencer Shops.

Liz & I were able to purchase tickets for June 7th  Manassas to Front Royal.  Cant wait.  When we lived in Northern Va. the 611 would pull into the Alexandria Station back in the early 90's.  We could actually hear the whistle.  To bad we did not get into trains until 95.

I believe the pony truck repair has been moved until after the July 4th weekend excursions.

As I stated above, it is an engine truck, on 611.

David excellent photos!  She sure looks great.

Thank you, Chris. Great folks working on her. Just found out I'll be able to get time off for the weekend of the first excursions, so I'll be among those on or near the train.

David

Chris, this must be heaven for you! Not much I can add, but I've been following the thread with great interest. Enjoy it bud, and thanks for such a great work!

For those who are trains subscribers the live cam is up as they steam 611 up and adjust all the appliances.

Great views - Trains Mag. subscription paid off!

Ed 

Boy there sure are...the 611 is a lucky gal.  Great to hear that you'll be able to go for her first trips.....it's going to be a thrill for so many.

It really is heaven, I am beyond excited as I know so many others are.  Your welcome, this has been so much fun.

It sure did Ed.  Wow does she ever look great! 

Here's a great photo from the Fireup611 F/B page....wow! 

Chris - I couldn't be sure but I think I heard the stoker running, followed by some black smoke.  Wonder if 611 will move under steam today to test the valve gear and air brakes?  I'd like to see her on the turntable.

Ed 

611 ran test trials this afternoon. Caught the Trains Magazine live camera as it was running, blowing the whistle and ringing the bell. What a sight on camera, I can only imagine what it will be like in person in a few weeks at Manassas!

Well not today but possibly tomorrow.

Here are some pix taken around mid-morning today.

Watched her moving back and forth in the yard today on the Trains live feed.  It was great seeing her run again after all these years!

The picture posted by "rickoshay" of the inside front face of the tender has a stencil that reads "BLACK SMOKE ??????". Is this an admonition that prohibits black smoke for run-bys etc.? If so, I certainly understand its need in this day and age, and agree with the intent.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

As Hot Water noted, it's a reminder to the crew (then and now) not to waste coal. Here's a shot from the day before they hooked the tender up.

David

..... and to think that at one time it seemed 611 may never run again.

Apparently, knowledge works better for steam locomotive rebuilds than PR videos.

Thanks Chris. Brings back some neat memories. Used to ride between Bluefield and Suffolk.

Need a Norfolk trip soon.

Well she sure looked great and sounded even better...it was great to hear her voice again yesterday.  Thanks for posting that video Rick.

I must admit that I didn't hear her "voice", just the whistle. When I remember the exhaust sound from her N&W star nozzle, while accelerating a train on a grade, then we'll all hear her "voice"!

Rick, THANK YOU for the video!!!

Suggestion for Chris:  Edit the thread's title to something like "VIDEO:  611's first move" to alert folks that this is new and significantly different from previous information regarding the purchase of excursion tickets--just a thought.

Amen!

Rick:  Thank you for that great "first movement" of the #611.  All I can say is that I'm spellbound by the apparent quality of the restoration, and especially for the comparatively short time it took the crew(s) at Spencer.  I'm really looking forward to seeing her running again in "person".

For you N&W experts:  Do any of you know if the #611 was built with those two sealed-beam headlights from the beginning?  I know that I've seen "J"s with the standard, single headlight.  (Was it a "Golden Glow" light with the tinted glass reflector?)  I wonder, if she did come with the single light, why she wasn't rebuilt that way?  (Not complaining:  I'm just delighted to see her back on the rails again, regardless of headlight!)

Paul Fischer

When I attended the 'Fire Up 611' kick off at the VMT I was hopeful but no idea it would come to pass so soon and done so well. 

Talk about a video almost making a grown man cry!!! 

Well done all around! 

Thanks

Is there a place along the line between Danville and Lynchburg where one could video 611 at speed, and then safely drive to Roanoke with enough time to set up for her arrival at the station?

What location in Roanoke would you recommend to video 611's coming in to the station?

Ed 

Seeing 611 move again made me pull some photos and scan them.....these are from the OLD VMT location that flooded in 86(?) and part of the cause of the move. 

She's aged pretty well......looks like a single beam headlight here......maybe 1979??

Nearby.......

I know the experts say she will never run again.....but I'll always hope......meanwhile I'll just run my Williams brass 1218!!!

Ed,

Plenty of spots between Danville and Lynchburg.  Railroad follows US 29 fairly closely, so just about anywhere would be good.  If you are looking for hills, pick a spot within about 5 miles north of Danville as they have to pull the grade out of the Dan River basin.  Not all that steep, but enough to work the engine a bit.  Then, just zip on over to Roanoke.  Shouldn't be a problem as they have to go around the horn to Lynchburg at 40mph--and it wouldn't surprise me if they stop there briefly.

I'm guessing they are going to stop at the Link Museum/N&W Roanoke Depot, so your best bet in Roanoke is to get a park in one of those parking decks and either go to track level or the pedestrian bridge to watch the engine come in.

Best of luck,

Kevin

Built with a single beam headlight.  Duel beam was put in with the initial restoration in 1982.  1218 got the dual beam also when that engine was restored, so I'm guessing it had to do with improved night visibility for the crews.

Kevin

Pelham and Ruffin used to be good places to watch,  Both are between Reidsville and Danville on old US29.

 I caught 4449 there in 1976 on the move to reconnect with the Freedom Train.  A later timing of the recording revealed 80 plus mph with a FULL train.

George Lasley

RickO, thanks so much for that excellent video.  That is historic footage, to be sure.

I know the experts say she will never run again.....but I'll always hope......meanwhile I'll just run my Williams brass 1218!!!

maybe, maybe not. But when NS cut the program in the '90s, we all knew 611 would never run again. and when diesels took over, we all knew steam was dead. we gotta dream.