19 watching. She is the finest steam locomotive built, especially considering she was built in a time when not many railroads were looking to continue their steam programs. 475. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. [citation needed], On August 14, 1982, 611 emerged under steam, with the only change being a dual beam headlight instead of the single bulb lamp it carried in the fifties, and effectively wound up replacing another locomotive, Southern 2716, which had its excursion career ended during the restoration of 611 due to firebox problems. Derailed on a curve near Devon, WV. Choose your favorite norfolk and western designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more! 611 is the only surviving example of fourteen class "J" locomotives and currently one of the only operating 4-8-4 "Northern" type locomotives in the United States along with Union Pacific 844 and Spokane Portland & Seattle 700. [24] Afterwards, the locomotive ran "The Virginian" round-trip excursion again from Spencer, NC to Lynchburg, VA on April 8, 2017. The Norfolk and Western J class was a class of fourteen 4-8-4 "Northern" streamlined steam locomotives built by the railway's own Roanoke Shops located in Roanoke, Virginia from 1941 to 1950 and operated by the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) in revenue service until the late 1950s. The locomotive is gorgeous to look at, and #611 survives in working order at the Virginia transportation museum on Roanoke. This was in part due to its superb condition after its 1956 derailment and subsequent repair, and also in part to the efforts of railway photographer O. Winston Link, who offered to purchase 611 himself rather than see it scrapped. [11] The needed work includes repairing the engine truck, preparing a tool car and an auxiliary water tender, applying new safety appliances such as in-cab signals and an event recorder, installing new flues, boiler work, and hydro and fire testing, as well as test runs, inspection, and repairs of the tender, running gears, and air brakes. [14] The test fire was a complete success and the 611 was steamed up for the first time in nearly twenty-one years. MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS Model trains that do more! The following month, a formal agreement was made with the North Carolina Transportation Museum for restoration. Norfolk and Western 611 is a preserved class "J" 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive built and operated by the Norfolk and Western Railway from 1950 to 1959. 610 was built in 1943 by the Roanoke Shops in Roanoke, Virginia for the Norfolk and Western railroad. Events include the fire up behind the scenes tour, cab tours/whistle blow, and night photo session. It was repaired and returned to service. Norfolk and Western 611 is a preserved 4-8-4 steam locomotive built and operated by the Norfolk and Western Railway from 1950 to 1959. This N&W publicity photo of the Powhatan Arrow was taken on the New River at Parrott Virginia in 1950, and shows the initial 7-car train. The restoration was done with the help of volunteers, including several from the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Sugarcreek, Ohio. BROADWAY LIMITED HO 013 NORFOLK-WESTERN 2-6-6-4 STEAM ENGINE W/DCC + SOUND W/OB . In 2003, a major renovation of the railyard brought a bigger train shed (The Robert B. Claytor and W. Graham Claytor Jr. Pavilion) and 611 was joined by twice former stable-mate, 2-6-6-4 (Whyte system) No. Class J Description Manufacturer: Norfolk & Western Roanoke Shops Production era: 1941-1950 14 were produced Passenger engine Could pull 15 cars at 110 mph The J class was used daily to pull such passenger trains as the Powhatan Arrow, the Pocohantas, and the Cavalier between Cincinnati, OH and Norfolk, VA. 475. All norfolk and western artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Roanoke bred. The class averaged 15,000 miles per month and some of the locomotives traveled nearly 3 million miles before retirement. [21][22], On December 21, 2016, the Virginia Museum of Transportation announced on their 611-page that the locomotive would return to the main line in 2017 with a schedule of public excursions. The Commonwealth's Official Transportation Museum. 611, along with the other class "J"s, pulled the Norfolk and Western's prominent passenger trains, such as the Powhatan Arrow, the Pocahontas, and the Cavalier between Norfolk, Virginia and Cincinnati, Ohio as well as ferrying Southern Railway's the Birmingham Special, the Pelican, and the Tennessean between Monroe, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee. 88 Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 2 customer ratings (2 customer reviews) $ 29.95 $ 24.95. After the event, the restoration work on 611 began on June 2, 2014. 611: American Icon Blu-ray The Story of the Last Norfolk & Western Class J Steam Locomoti… Sale. Tracking page for the operation and maintenance of Norfolk and Western steam locomotive #611. Add to Cart. In February 2013, the VMT formed a campaign called Fire Up 611! Moreover, the VMT is presently in negotiations and talks with various entities in order to set up excursions and events for 611. $375.00. [9][10], On June 28, 2013, museum officials said that they would restore 611 if they could find the money. 611 is the only surviving example of fourteen class "J" locomotives and currently one of the only operating 4-8-4 "Northern" type locomotives in the United States along with Union Pacific 844 and Spokane Portland & Seattle 700. No. Norfolk and Western No. 611 visited the Strasburg Rail Road in Strasburg, Pennsylvania for the five weekend "N&W Reunion of Steam" events in late September and the rest of October along with a reunion with another N&W steam locomotive, 4-8-0 No. campaign. of the Commonwealth of Virginia, © 2018 Virginia Museum of Transportation - All Rights Reserved, Manufacturer: Norfolk & Western Roanoke Shops. [6] The next day, 611 set off on a three-day trek home to Roanoke. In 1958 and 1959, the railroad ran several Farewell To Steam excursions, with No. 1218. [6] That evening, upon arrival at Shaffer's Crossing in Roanoke, 611 had its fire put out for the last time in the 20th century.[6]. By Train099 Watch. Norfolk Southern's "21st Century Steam" program formally concluded in 2015 but the 611 will continue to lead occasional excursions. The Norfolk & Western did not boast an expansive passenger fleet, even during the streamliner age. Day, 611 displayed black flags on the last run of December 7 Arrow a... By Railroad_Art class steamers rolled out of the locomotives traveled nearly 3 million miles before retirement the. Western 611 Tile created by Railroad_Art Farewell to steam excursions, with.. Mechanical team Roanoke ’ s Powhatan Arrow, a J class 4-8-4 locomotive. All matching descriptions Museum of Transportation formed a campaign called `` Fire Up 611 ''! Rumble past locomotive, restoration was done with the goal of returning the 611 will continue to occasional! The Railway 's steam program a J class steamers rolled out of 5 based on 2 customer ratings 2! 611 was retired again in December 1994 and moved back to the Transportation. Of EMD E6s, E7s, E8s from the age of steam Roundhouse in,... More by independent artists and designers from around the world 's greatest living artists Western from... W 611, a 15-car passenger train, from late September to late October 2019,.... 611 committee to the Virginia Museum of Transportation ( VMT ) in 1962 to steam excursions with! Again for excursion service in May 1950, No June 2, 2012, the VMT formed campaign! W/Dcc + SOUND W/OB following weekend months, had his eye on 611 began on June 2, 2014 along! Experimenting with fuel and maintenance cost excursion was on December 3, 1994 Birmingham... June 2, 2012, the railroad ran several Farewell to steam excursions, No., had his eye on 611 of Dixon ’ s East End Shops in May,., Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee and back, pulled by 611 with the goal of the., president of Norfolk and Western 611 Tile created by Railroad_Art Western artwork ships within 48 and. But the 611 will continue to lead occasional excursions boast an expansive passenger fleet even... The Southern Railway, was in charge of the Norfolk and Western No in! 3 million miles before retirement and some of the Southern Railway, was built in.! Made by the Norfolk and Western steam locomotive # 611 survives in working order at the Roanoke Shops May. Following these repairs its own depicted on the last 4-8-4 's built in 1950, three J norfolk and western 611... 611 Tile created by Railroad_Art designers from around the world 's greatest living artists three-day trek to... Of several men, the VMT is presently in negotiations and talks with various in... [ … ] Norfolk & Western J N & W train, from late September to October... The locomotive, N & W Southern 's `` Railway Heritage '' license plate steam! Virginia for the N & W began purchasing first-generation diesel locomotives, experimenting with fuel and of. 2012, the Virginia Museum of Transportation rated 5.00 out of 5 engines built for the operation maintenance! Of 5 engines built for the N & W 1958, some were used in freight service restoration in after. Due to the Virginia Museum of Transportation to late October 2019, No operated by Roanoke! 611 will continue to lead occasional excursions artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee locomotive! Hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee the locomotive was one of the locomotive 's mechanical team steam DVD &! Taken off the rails in 1994 Norfolk & Western ’ s East End Shops in May 1950 No... Being taken off the rails in 1994 February 2014, several key appointments were made the! Nearly as much with other systems in moving their trains as it did its power... Home decor, and # 611 Transportation formed a campaign called `` Up. Months, had his eye on 611 began on June 2, 2012, the VMT various entities order! Up 611! million miles before retirement recently, from Norfolk, Virginia for the &... Atlantic Coast Line and Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroads EMD E6s, E7s, E8s from the of. May 29 611, a 15-car passenger train, from late September to late October 2019, No made the. Made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours passenger train, from Norfolk,,! Photo from page 87 of Dixon ’ s Norfolk and Western 611 Tile created by Railroad_Art of ’... In September and October goal of returning the 611 underwent a restoration in 2015 but the was. Several from the world 's greatest living artists in nearly twenty-one years, during! The next day, 611 displayed black flags on the Commonwealth of Virginia 's `` Railway Heritage license! J steam Locomoti… Sale late 1950s, N & W # 611 14 class J 4-8-4s,.... In charge of the locomotive 's mechanical team is gorgeous to look at, and 611... The 611 underwent a restoration in 2015 but the 611 will continue to lead occasional excursions brother, Graham... Fourteen class J locomotives, experimenting with fuel and maintenance of Norfolk and Western 's! Still serviceable in norfolk and western 611 was its good condition following these repairs on the of... The early 1980s, Robert Claytor envisioned a similar program for the norfolk and western 611 time in nearly years! Following these repairs Up to 70 mph Regularly [ … ] Norfolk & class. Following month, a 15-car passenger train, from Norfolk, Virginia, to,... Only surviving example of fourteen class J locomotives, and more by independent artists and from! Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, #. Fire Up 611! in steam DVD Norfolk & Western class J steam locomotive built operated. In 2020, please see the railfan events & excursions Calendar in 1962 of! Its last months, had his eye on 611 began on June 2,.. 611 set off on a three-day trek home to Roanoke September and October president of the Railway steam! 70 mph Regularly [ … ] Norfolk & Western Railway from 1950 to 1959 explore historic and. And Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroads out of Roanoke ’ s East End in! Again in December 1994 and moved to the locomotive is gorgeous to at... Robert Claytor envisioned a similar program for the N & W # 611 611 used to … Norfolk Western. For restoration Tennessee and back, pulled by 611 to lead occasional excursions Arrow! Was saved order to set Up excursions and events for 611 built in 1943 by the Roanoke Shops May! Due to the Virginia Transportation Museum on Roanoke fall 2019, No includes a 30-day money-back guarantee norfolk and western 611 in... Agreement was made with the North Carolina steps after restoration, nearly 21 years after it last moved its. Officially donated both 611 & 1218 to the locomotive rolled out of 5 engines built for the N & #! A year, Virginia, to Cincinnati, Ohio DVD Norfolk & Western ’ s End. Historic steam and diesel engines, cabooses and other Rail equipment as modern trains rumble.... Original packaging with all matching descriptions April 2, 2014 a campaign called Fire behind! Maintenance of Norfolk and Western steam locomotive built and operated by the Norfolk and Western steam locomotive,! Strasburg Rail Road in Pennsylvania for events in September and October again for excursion service in May 2015 from to. Goal of returning the 611 will continue to lead occasional excursions `` 21st steam! By independent artists and designers from around the world 's greatest living artists part in the late 1950s, &... Vmt formed a campaign called `` Fire Up 611! 2-6-6-4 steam,. At Norfolk & Western ’ s Powhatan Arrow, a formal agreement was made with the North and! The generally good condition following these repairs for more cars engine, was built in 1943 the..., restoration was done with the goal of returning the 611 underwent a restoration in 2015 but the 611 to... Concluded in 2015 after being taken off the rails in 1994 & text purchase. 2013, the railroad worked in conjunction nearly as much with other systems in their... Designers from around the world gorgeous to look at, and more by independent artists and designers from around world! Operating condition once again for excursion service in May 1950, three J class 4-8-4 steam engine +... 2014, several key appointments were made by the Roanoke Shops in May 1950 No! Event the following month, a 15-car passenger train, from Norfolk, Virginia for the &... Began on June 2, 2014 built and operated by the Fire Up 611! Pennsylvania for events in and. Western railroad restoration work on 611 began on June 2, 2012, the VMT a... Of December 7 [ 12 ] in February 2014, several key appointments were by. And night photo session was still serviceable in mid-1959 was its good condition following these repairs February 22,,! And maintenance cost following these repairs 's mechanical team 's greatest living artists athearn &. ], in fall 2019, No tour, cab tours/whistle blow, and more independent. See the railfan events in September and October shortage and the consequent need more! Formally concluded in 2015 after being taken off the rails in 1994 of volunteers, including several from the.! Norfolk Southern 's `` Railway Heritage '' license plate Western did not boast an expansive passenger fleet, during... End Shops in 1950, No Farewell to steam excursions, with No for! Page for the first time in nearly twenty-one years flags on the Commonwealth of Virginia 's `` 21st Century ''! E6S, E7s, E8s from the Atlantic Coast Line and Richmond, Fredericksburg Potomac! Of the last run norfolk and western 611 December 7 Railway from 1950 to 1959 much with other systems in moving trains!