Chase on Sat. morning and Sun afternoon, ride Sun. morning.
Attended Manassas Railfest Sat. afternoon.
The attached 8-page brochure was given to passengers on the excursion trains.
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The chase Sat. a.m. was plagued by low clouds, however the crowds and traffic were still manageable...
#1 Delaplane, VA. westbound
#2 Entering Front Royal westbound along Happy Creek Rd.
#3 Top of Linden Hill, eastbound, coming and going.
#4 Eastbound at Marshall,Va.
#5 Approaching Ashton Dr. in Manassas eastbound
All images by Warren W. Jenkins
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The Manassas Railfest featured #611, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and several city blocks of attractions, vendors, model trains, food, kids stuff, and a couple of museums.
A nice gesture was cutting 611 off its train and bringing it to a grade crossing by the x-Southern depot, where for about 2 hours, it could be admired by the attendees, while the VRE excursions came and went (Manassas to Clifton and back for $5 a head).
All images by Warren W. Jenkins
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I rode the Sunday a.m. excursion, it appeared this trip had the best sunlight for photography.
Another nice gesture was allowing those in the packed general admission coaches to move up to the front 2 coaches, where the sights/sounds of 611 could be better appreciated. The front coach space had apparently been held for NS employees/families, and there was excess space. I did see a number of NS employees along the route with cameras/video.
The Sunday p.m. trip had huge crowds, heavy traffic, and variable sunlight.
The local population was out in force by Sunday afternoon, which impacted railfan photography adversely. Many stood too close to the tracks, clogged the already congested highways, and generally got in the pictures.
These 2 images coming westbound into Delaplane, illustrate the frustrations.
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A few images were managed Sunday p.m., perhaps 611 will come this way again in future years.
1. Descending west slope of Linden Hill westbound
2. Top of Linden Hill, eastbound
3. Off into distance, eastbound at Turner Rd. MP 13.4
4. Goodbye for now, #611
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Excellent photos!!! It's such a thrill to have her back on the rails.
611 is one of the classiest looking locomotives ever built...a real piece of art.
Having 611 running excursions again is a great happening.
Did 611 make the National Network TV news yet?
We're not only seeing a great locomotive but a terrific passenger train ! Much like the South Wind or Florida Special . Huzzah !
It is so exciting to see the 611 running again and I hope I get to see it some day. It seems like it is creating a bit of a national stir. The crowds look sizable and the coverage seems abundant.
Absolutely the finest, most modern and classy 4-8-4 ever built! Those folks in the East End Shops in Roanoke sure knew a thing or two about building steam locomotives!
At 5000 HP, she is no slouch in the pulling department either!
My wife and I chased her from Attalla, AL to Chattanooga on her shakedown run in 1982! So glad she is under steam again!
Gorgeous!
Peter
She is truly special as attributed by the crowds she draws. Photographs well also.
A coworker and I drove all night from Michigan to work as car hosts on the train during the Sunday trips. Definitely worth the long, tiring, drive for that experience. Going back to reality and working on our tiny 25 ton 4-4-0 tomorrow just won't be the same.
