Who will be the regulars at the throttle of the J611

I suspect that VMT will decide who will be 611's operating crew--not NS.

Aren't we putting the tender before the locomotive at this point in time?

Rusty

I seriously doubt THAT. It's NS's railroad, and they will REQUIRE, per FRA regulation, fully trained, ticketed, and experienced locomotive Engineers. The "training" of some NS Engineers, on operating a steam locomotive, has already been taking place for some two years now.

Unlike the UP, NS management has REALLY been planning ahead!

Well to be fair, while they probably won't be asking Rich, he IS fully qualified with everything NS or likely any other railroad would require of him.  Other than Doyle and Steve Lee, how many other living walking around guys have as much mainline throttle time as he has?  My guess is not very many.

Perhaps Bob Saxtan....lord knows he has plenty of throttle time with the 611.

Although Bob is no longer in the Operating Dept., I'm sure that he will definitely be involved in the training of Operating Dept. personnel. 

Brandy, I don't know where you heard this, but it is NOT TRUE. While I would be honored to have an opportunity to run the 611, I have not been asked about this. The 611 crew has a long way to go before they are going to be looking at who will be running her. However, you can bet that if I am asked, I'll say, "Yes!"

Bob Saxtan will certainly have an opportunity to run her, but I don't think he can be their regular engineer. Bob has other responsibilities in the overall NS steam program. He's one of the best railroaders I have ever worked with.

I know we all would love to see you runnin' the 611 Rich, I hope they do ask.

Thanks for the info about Bob HW/Rich, I'm sure he would love to get his hand back on the throttle of the 611 a few more times.

I really don't care who runs her...I just want to be there when she runs.

Rich, slightly off topic, but has Doyle ever ran 765?  Being the NKP guy that he is, that would seem like something he would be VERY interested in doing, and I honestly have no idea whether he has gotten the opportunity or not.

Yes, Doyle McCormack has run the 765. When we ran the Rocky River trip last year, Doyle was the engineer. He was assigned to run the westbound trip from Rocky River to Bellevue. I was to relieve him in Bellevue and run the return trip.

When I climbed into the cab in Bellevue, I asked Doyle how things went. He said, "This is a NICE engine!" Coming from him, that was quite a compliment! He was obviously having a great time. He had enough time left on hours of service and I didn't have the heart to relieve him, so he ran the return trip, too.

He was running on railroad that he was qualified on at one time, so it was kind of special...for him and for us. He is a GOOD engineer.

That's great.  I'm glad he got the chance to do it. I would think that it was a very meaningful experience for him, and with everything he has given to steam and rail preservation, he's earned it.  I hope you get a shot at 611's throttle.  You've earned it too.

You guys who have never seen the 611 under steam will see something special. 

I chased her and rode her many times during the 80's and I will never forget it. Chasing the 611 was never a easy task once she got into the open. She was truly Magnificent. 

Yes I know what you mean. I followed her down the river on the Ohio side, from Ironton to Portsmouth, and that's what I mean . The speed limit then on Us 52w was 55 mph, and is 60mph now. If you ran the speed limit, she would walk away, and all you could see would be a wisp of smoke, far off in the distance. Probably running 70 or better, after leaving Ironton, and wasn't long in getting to speed.....Brandy

Rich, all I can say is that both of the NS employees that I talked with, like I said are in the know. Heard your name mentioned several times, in group meetings, and wasn't mentioned in vain either!  Sounded like putting names on a planning board somewhere, discussing who can do this, and who can do that, and including who is physically/mentally qualified, and available to do this, that, or the other.

The company I retired from, we use to do that in operations/maint planning sessions. So know doubt, this is a norm for businesses, in some form or fashion. As the old saying goes, if you can back it up, it ain't braggin! I say that you are/were highly recommended..............................Brandy!

Of course, she will most likely be limted to 40 MPH now, like the rest of the steamers on running on NS.

I have to echo what david1 stated, you are in for something special.  I also rode and chased her many times in the 80's and 90's and oh yes...she will hustle away from you quickly.  She truly is a race horse...

It sounds like you may be "in the know" a little more than I am! I'm sure there is some advance planning going on at NS regarding 611 that I'm not aware of. That's one thing I have learned from working with NS that past few years. They do a LOT of good advance planning, and it pays off with smooth-running trips with no surprises.

I will prob'y be smacked for asking this...or worse, be forced to use Internet Exploder...
...but did Doyle happen to make mention or offer any comments comparing the SP 4449 to the NKP 765?

I know, I know, these are different locomotives, built for different purposes and goals.
However, I am deeply curious of a person's opinion when comparing apples to oranges.

Yes he did. We discussed it on the drive back to our house in Illinois. That is just he and I, since we both had had experience with 765, back when she was first returned to service and used in freight service on the TP&W RR (May of 1980).

No Rich, nothing said on the "QT" at all. Just names being discussed during a casual cook out conversation, and to beat all "No Alcohol Present" either. They like the Railroad Business, and paid very well to do so, and I'm old and interested in their discussions. Now they also tell some "Holy S**t's, You got to be kidding me's" but that goes along with any company operations.

Now with all of the afore said/printed I hope that you do get a shot on the J611, as I believe that you would be as good as the best who ever had run her in the past.

................................................................................................brandy!

Wow...what a wonderful complement!

I am humbled.