N&W 611 test run successful

Oh, shoot, so 611 will never operate over the curve without cab signals? But, theoretically, could it run toward Reading, PA and beyond? No cab signals there. It seems that 611 will not be running in former Conrail territory north of the Mason-Dixon line. 4501 will probably not have cab signals. either. So, 765 will continue to be the only steam locomotive qualified to run over the ex-PRR from Cleveland to Harrisburg. But, could a non-cab signal locomotive run from Hagerstown, MD to Harrisburg without touching any cab signal track? Oh well, hope you guys make a return to PA someday even if it isn't this year. NS hasn't had very many public steam excursions in former Conrail territory, just the Curve trips in May 2013. Looks like 611 will be mostly operating in Virginia, unless NS has some surprises up their sleeves. 611 can't go north of Washington, DC into Maryland that way because the only railroads that run that way toward Baltimore and beyond are CSX and Amtrak. Neither of them will host an NS steam train. 611 did operate through Erie, PA and in Ohio in the past. But those are not the ex-PRR, probably non-cab signal routes. Roanoke is just such a long trek for us. Maybe if 611 originates excursions from Manassas, VA sometime. Or, better yet, if 765 runs on some of it's 1988 routes someday, like the ex-Reading (or also ex-Lehigh Valley) lines now owned by NS. Anything's possible with NS, if they request the 765 go to NJ, would you do it?

As I recall the close clearances that restricted large modern locomotives such as the PRR's J1 and Q2 on the Middle Div. included the tunnels at Spruce and station structures such as the covered platform on the curve at Tyrone.  Are you sure today's clearances are too tight for 611?

Ed Rappe

The better question would be how much difference is there in the footprint of 611 vs 765? It would be interesting to compare the clearance sheet on both of them.

Well, yes and no. The CS system is still on and powered while running in non-CS territory, but all it displays is a Restricting indication, which means absolutely nothing except when operating in CS territory. And when running on a Restricting in the cab, it's best that one is on their toes, for obvious reasons. 

But back to the topic, I could've sworn that 611 would get cabs installed.... eh well. She's going to run regardless, so it doesn't bother me.

From Roanoke's WDBJ 7: http://www.wdbj7.com/video/the...arly-summer/30931486

The latest blog report is indicating a hydrostatic test is in progress...

That may just be the first hypo, prior to installation of all the superheater units. It is always a good idea to hydro after all the flues/tubes are completed, but prior to superheater unit installation.

Maybe that's how it's done on a diesel, but when we are running 765 in non-CS territory, we don't power up the CS system.

The 611's hydro-test has been completed as of yesterday.  The time is near....

https://www.facebook.com/Fireup611#!/Fireup611

Well, maybe that's how YOU (who is in charge of) do it on the 765. But, before you go making uncalled for cheeky remarks, remember that train crews (at least around here) do not have a key to the cab signal cabinet nor do they have the authority to cut out the cab signals.

They get on a unit and more often than not the cab signal system is turned on. Most of the time the cab signal system works just fine outside of C/S territory. Then, there are times that it doesn't. Sometimes the system won't let the train get above 15 mph before it puts the train in a penalty brake application. That is when they have to call the locomotive shop to come and cut out the cab signals.

Interesting that the actual hydro pressure can not be read on the gauge.

Big Jim, although through the years I have only had cab signal trouble a couple of times, the LSL(locomotive speed limiter) basically used on the north east corridor, as you say is always on as well, and they gave us quite a bit of trouble! If not working properly once you got close to 18 mph or so, they would apply the brakes in full service mode, What a pain in the ***! And it used to happen to us after getting to a coal mine and running around to train to begin loading! Once loaded it would not allow you to proceed at track speed, and so the dispatcher, then chief dispatcher, then the road foreman and all of there cousins would be calling to ask what was going on! Either engine house people, or the road foreman would have to come out with there "Magic Key" and disable it.....always made for a long day..... 

Looks like the needle is straight up

Whoa...I wasn't making any "cheeky" remarks. What we do with the 765 is apples and oranges compared to how you have to do it with regular service diesels.

All I was saying is that when we are not running in CS territory, we don't power up the CS equipment. That's all. What's the problem with making that simple statement?

Not the statement , but, how it is stated.

Instead of "Maybe that's how it's done on a diesel...".

A better, and simpler, way would have been... "When we are not running in CS territory, we don't power up the CS equipment."

Well maybe not quite. I would think someone knowledgable about steam could give us an idea what the pressure test guage is reading.

That hand in front of the guage seems more like an Ed Dickens move

According to FRA regulations, the hydrostatic test pressure must be at 125% of the working boiler pressure. Since the N&W J Class locomotives are 300psi working boiler pressure, the hydro would have been at 375psi in order to satisfy an FRA Inspector, as well as the 611's own crew.

So,,,,,if that happens to be a 600psi gauge, or even an 800psi gauge, then the indicating pointer MIGHT be up near the "top", or 12-o-clock position, as a guess.

Well, first of all you assume Mr. Lindsay had time during his hosting of the F.R.A. Inspector to pose for a photo during the time we had 611's boiler at the required 125%  of MAWP. He did not have time. Our test gauge would display that 375PSI at about 2:00 on the gauge face. In the photo, the gauge is reading about 280 PSI. THUMBS UP!! (After the successful test.)

Good to hear...

Excellent news.  Rode an excursion out of Atlanta with 611 in November 1993; hope to get another chance.

I suspect the inspector was able to read the gauge just fine.

 

Originally Posted by RickO:

That hand in front of the gauge seems more like an Ed Dickens move

 

 

That was "tongue in cheek" Marty". I'm sure the 611 rebuild is going along without a hitch, there isn't anybody that knows that loco better than the "guys" doin the rebuild.

Isn't that the truth...the 611 is in the best hands she could be in.

Sarcasm?  LOL!  I know Rick...I know.  Just funnin' with ya!

I wonder if 611 will travel to far away cities like Chicago, Buffalo, Atlanta, etc. like it did in the old program once it hits the NS main line? Maybe far fewer public excursions though. An excellent idea for an excursion would be a circle trip from Roanoke to Manassas via Charlottesville, then over to Front Royal and down the Shenandoah line to Roanoke.

Latest and greatest pic from FB. Caption reads "Ash pan and grates are back in. The firebox is nearing completion. "

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Question about 611 drivers.  Is there a need to turn them or replace the tires, or were they in good shape with NS shut down the steam program long ago?

All the running gear was completely gone through prior to the shut down of the steam program. The only area that will need "attention" is the engine truck, which will require new wheel sets.

Thanks Hot Water, that's what I was figuring.

A nice article from the Roanoke Times.

Cab signal equipment for the engine has arrived...

https://www.facebook.com/Fireu...953528179661/?type=1

Can we say fresh paint?.....Photo by Scott Lindsay.  Updates posted on the Fireup611 F/B page.

The 611 has a fire in her belly.  Happy days !!!!!

Looks good, but needs a paint job.

John she is alive. Paint can wait. Now the question: When are you and G going to Spencer to install the PS3 upgrade? 

The old ones get the PS/2 upgrade.

Weird seeing her fired up looking like that.  Looks almost like a locomotive in South America as she is now!

This is fantastic news!  Great to follow her progress!

But she is a 2R engine.

Good timing on their part, I'd say. Good thing they didn't wait until tomorrow!

Tom (Gilly@N&W) will be excited.

We're slated to bring the modular layout down to the VTM for the homecoming......I hope it's not on a weekend that I'm working!

Peter