Norfolk & Western 611: An American Legend (HD)

Описание

On a cool and cloudy Memorial Day weekend of 2021, we witness the return of Norfolk & Western 611 to the Strasburg Rail Road. The iconic locomotive would begin her visit operating the hourly excursions of the railroad, delighting the passengers riding along and displaying a spectacle of steam power as she climbs the grades of the 4.5 mile short line. Proudly touting American flags, she represents the spirit of men and women in America who labored upon steam locomotives while they operated in revenue service. As the locomotive's instantly recognizable streamlined shape plows through the Amish fields, railfans and non railfans alike gathered in the lush greenery of Lancaster County to watch as this stunning machine makes a return to Pennsylvania on her 71st birthday. Although running at slower speeds and shorter distances than the streamliner may be used to, the "Queen of Steam" created fantastic show for the photo lines that formed trackside and the crowds that gathered to watch. Sit back, relax, and enjoy as we follow some of 611's first excursions on the Strasburg Rail Road in nearly 2 years brought to you by Keystone Rail Productions!

History of N&W 611:
The Norfolk and Western J class was one of fourteen 4-8-4 "J" class streamlined steam locomotives built by Norfolk & Western's own Roanoke Shops from 1941 to 1950. She was operated by the Norfolk and Western in revenue service until the late 1950s. During that time, the Js ran on the main line between Norfolk, Virginia and Cincinnati, Ohio, pulling the Powhatan Arrow, the Pocahontas, and the Cavalier as well as ferrying the Southern Railway's the Birmingham Special, the Pelican, and the Tennessean between Monroe, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee. The Js were highly regarded by many, and considered to be the the pinnacle of steam technology. Of the fourteen built, No. 611 was the only one to escape the scrappers torch. It was retired in 1959 from revenue passenger service and moved to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in 1962. In 1982, Norfolk Southern restored the locomotive to operating condition for excursion service as it became the star of their steam program pulling excursions throughout the eastern portion of the United States. She was again retired again in December 1994 and moved back to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. In February 2013, the VMT formed a campaign called "Fire Up 611!" to return 611 to operating condition once again. The famous J then returned in May of 2015, pulling excursions for Norfolk Southern's 21st century steam program until it was terminated due to rising insurance costs.

Locations:
0:00 Esbenshade - Eastbound
1:55 Cherry Hill - Eastbound
3:26 Carpenters - Easbound
7:46 Carpenters - Westbound
10:25 Southside - Westbound
11:49 Groundhog Cut - Westbound
13:15 Fairview - Westbound

Filmed on:
Saturday, May 29, 2021

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow the official Keystone Rail Productions page!
@keystonerailproductions on Instagram and @KeystoneRailProductions on Facebook.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

© Keystone Rail Productions (Formerly Eastern PA Railfan Productions) 2021
All Rights Reserved
COPYRIGHT POLICY: This may not be copied or reproduced without exclusive permission from Keystone Rail Productions. We work hard to create these videos, and they are not be re-uploaded/distributed without permission, or will be taken down in accordance with international copyright law. Thank you for understanding.
Apologies for the ads, however they help fund for more trips like these.