The following month, a formal agreement was made with the North Carolina Transportation Museum for restoration. to return No. Moreover, the VMT is presently in negotiations and talks with various entities in order to set up excursions and events for 611. [23], On January 6, 2017 the 611 returned to the North Carolina Transportation Museum under her own power for Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) inspection. 4501, sending steaming ambassadors system wide. The 611 used to … 475. $8.49 shipping. The Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam engine will travel to Strasburg Rail Road in Pennsylvania for events in September and October. [25] On April 9, the 611 ran "The Charlotte Special" round-trip excursion from Spencer to Charlotte, NC in the morning and a second round-trip excursion "The Piedmont Limited" from Spencer to Greensboro, North Carolina in the afternoon. After the event, the restoration work on 611 began on June 2, 2014. Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 2 customer ratings (2 customer reviews) $ 29.95 $ 24.95. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The Norfolk and Western Historical Society is not a part of, nor in any way connected with Norfolk and Western Railway, Inc. nor the Norfolk Southern Corporation. Personalize it with photos & text or purchase as is! The locomotive is gorgeous to look at, and #611 survives in working order at the Virginia transportation museum on Roanoke. 600-613, that were homemade and employed on the railroad’s crack passenger trains between Norfolk and Cincinnati and on other lines, such as the route to Bristol, Va. [19], In late spring 2016, the 611 ran the excursions that it did last year such as "The Powhatan Arrow", "The Pelican, and "The American". Norfolk and Western #611 is a 4-8-4 class J steam locomotive. [citation needed], On March 31, 2015, the 611 was fired up with its maximum working boiler pressure of 300 psi and the crew open the throttle up to blow steam out of the cylinders' piston valves. Contents. [6] Between Salisbury, North Carolina and Roanoke, 611 displayed black flags on the last run of December 7. [6] The next day, 611 set off on a three-day trek home to Roanoke. of the Commonwealth of Virginia, © 2018 Virginia Museum of Transportation - All Rights Reserved, Manufacturer: Norfolk & Western Roanoke Shops. Norfolk & Western was known for the steam engines the used. [9][10], On June 28, 2013, museum officials said that they would restore 611 if they could find the money. Athearn Norfolk & Western NW SD40-2 #1634 DCC Ready NIB HO + $129.00. Roanoke proud", "The Virginia Museum of Transportation studying Norfolk & Western Class J 611 Restoration and Return to Excursion Service", "Restoration of Norfolk & Western Railway Class J 611 Study Findings & Report", "Norfolk Southern supports restoration of historic locomotive through sale of Rothko painting", "VIDEO: Norfolk & Western 611 steam test: All systems go", "Norfolk & Western No. 1 Comment. In February 2013, the VMT formed a campaign called Fire Up 611! In the late 1950s, N&W began purchasing first-generation diesel locomotives, experimenting with fuel and maintenance cost. No. to conduct a feasibility study with the goal of returning the 611 to active service. Norfolk & Western 611. 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. She has 70 inch diameter driving wheels, is capable of 80,000 pounds of tractive effort and … Was the last J to operate and made its final run on an N&W fan trip October 24, 1959, Returned to excursion service in 1982 and was retired again in 1994. Aug 9, 2016 - The Class J#611 will be at the North Carolina Transportation Museum on: JUNE 16-19, 2016 JULY 1-4, 2016 JULY 29, 2016 A variety of experiences with the Class J #611 steam locomotive will be offered. 611 Crossing the James River Poster. Photo from page 87 of Dixon’s Norfolk and Western’s Powhatan Arrow. 611 derailed along the, On May 18, 1986, No. This program had been around since 1966 with class "Ms" 2-8-2 "Mikado" type No. [25], In 2018, 611 was unable to perform any major excursions due to Amtrak's newest restrictions on private charter trips. 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. The Norfolk and Western Locomotive Number 611, Class J, was built in Roanoke, Virginia in May of 1950. Add to Cart. [20] After that, the 611 stayed at the North Carolina Transportation Museum for the summer and moved back to Roanoke on August 8 and back to Spencer again on September 7 until October 24. [18] On April 23 and 24, 2016, the locomotive ran "The Roanoker" from Greensboro, NC to Roanoke, VA. on the ex-Virginian Railway main line. 3.5K likes. Between Monroe, NC and Bristol, […] This auction is a Bachmann "SPECTRUM" 82153 steam locomotive Class J 4-8-4 "Norfolk and Western" #602 in gauge N. The locomotive is unused and is in mint condition. Norfolk and Western 611, also known as the "Spirit of Roanoke, 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. [16], The locomotive was scheduled to run several excursions during the summer of 2015 such as "The American" from Manassas, Virginia to Front Royal, Virginia on June 6 and 7, "The Cavalier" from Lynchburg, Virginia to Petersburg, Virginia on June 13 and 14, "The Powhatan Arrow" from Roanoke to Lynchburg and "The Pelican" from Roanoke to Radford, Virginia on July 3, 4, and 5. 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 United States. No. [26] However, The Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) was able to put on alternate events for 611, and the locomotive made a visit to the North Carolina Transportation Museum for routine maintenance. The 611 will be fired up this upcoming weekend at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. Class A Description Manufacturer: Norfolk & Western Production era: 1930s – 1950s Designed for power and low maintenance 43 produced Pulled freight and coal trains for the N&W between 1936 and 1959 During World War II, the Class As were used to move troops and equipment for the military. Norfolk and Western #610 was a 4-8-4 J class steam locomotive. High quality Norfolk Western gifts and merchandise. 611 is the only surviving example of fourteen class J locomotives, and the largest operating 4-8-4 Northern type locomotive in the United States.. It is packed in its original packaging with all matching descriptions. The 611 underwent a restoration in 2015 after being taken off the rails in 1994. [7] It is also depicted on the Commonwealth of Virginia's "Railway Heritage" license plate. Most recently, from late September to late October 2019, No. A month later, NS executives terminated the steam program due to rising insurance costs, increasing cost of maintenance, and low spare system capacity. 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. Today, #611 survives and is operational. [15], On May 28, 2015, the North Carolina Transportation Museum held photo runbys with 611 leading passenger and freight consists, plus night photo session. [12] In February 2014, several key appointments were made by the Fire Up 611 committee to the locomotive's mechanical team. 10 Favourites. Norfolk and Western Steam Locomotive no 611 Freight Train Blowing 1000 Piece Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle DIY Children Educational Puzzles Adult Decompression Gift Creative Games Toys Puzzles Home Decor $35.88 $ 35 . [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. 611 was unable to perform any special events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is currently on display at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. 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. campaign. [14] The test fire was a complete success and the 611 was steamed up for the first time in nearly twenty-one years. The class averaged 15,000 miles per month and some of the locomotives traveled nearly 3 million miles before retirement. Events include the fire up behind the scenes tour, cab tours/whistle blow, and night photo session. Rattler Jones Description There was no other 4-8-4 Northern that was the strongest or the finest ever built than the fabulous Norfolk & Western's 'J' class; a massive streamlined steam locomotive of the East. [28][29], In 2020, No. [11] [27], In fall 2019, No. Home; About Us; Catalogs; News; MTHRRC; My MTH; Product Lines; Product Locator 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. One of the reasons it was still serviceable in mid-1959 was its good condition following these repairs. On February 22, 2013, the Virginia Museum of Transportation formed a campaign called "Fire Up 611!" In 1995, 611 was put back in the museum, now known as the Virginia Museum of Transportation, under a new train shed. 611 In Steam DVD Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 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. In September 1994, there was a switching accident in Lynchburg, VA, involving the passenger cars of an excursion consist that 611 was about to pull the next day. BROADWAY LIMITED HO 013 NORFOLK-WESTERN 2-6-6-4 STEAM ENGINE W/DCC + SOUND W/OB . MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS Model trains that do more! It was repaired and returned to service. [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 Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc. Presently, one key concern is the gradual introduction of the Positive train control (PTC) to the US railroad network, for which the VMT is asking for donations. They leased several sets of EMD E6s, E7s, E8s from the Atlantic Coast Line and Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroads. While most steam isn't running in 2020 due to COVID-19, this is a good chance to see sights and sounds of Roanoke's finest. Shop Norfolk and Western 611 Tile created by Railroad_Art. In our Rail Yard, explore historic steam and diesel engines, cabooses and other rail equipment as modern trains rumble past. [32], Norfolk and Western No. Built at the Roanoke Shops in May 1950, No. Not only were they one of the last Class 1s to stop using steam power, but they also built and designed most of their own rather than have an outside locomotive builder like ALCO or Baldwin make them for them. [30], The 611 was featured in a 2016 feature-length documentary called "611: American Icon" which represents the history of the locomotive and her restoration. In 1950, three J class steamers rolled out of the Norfolk & Western Railway's famed Roanoke shops. The locomotive was one of 14 Class J 4-8-4s, Nos. 611 sitting on the turntable at the, CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (, Learn how and when to remove this template message, National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, "N&W 611 Class J Steam Locomotive National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark", "Virginia Museum of Transportation Announces Next Step in Strategic Growth Plan", "History of the Norfolk & Western Class J 611", "Roanoke born. Revenue service and preservation Travel through six eastern states to experience one of the most powerful 4-8-4 steam locomotives ever built.. Includes a cab ride and footage of these locomotives being built! 88 1218. [2] The diesels proved to be cheaper in maintenance and fuel cost, but several were required to equal the power of a steam locomotive. [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]. [13] Due to the generally good condition of the locomotive, restoration was complete within a year. These last three were the last steam passenger locomotives built for an American railroad and were identical to … Main menu. This damaged several cars, causing a shortage and the consequent need for more cars. This was one of 5 engines built for the N&W in 1943. [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. $375.00. [24] Afterwards, the locomotive ran "The Virginian" round-trip excursion again from Spencer, NC to Lynchburg, VA on April 8, 2017. Fatefully, they would prove the last 4-8-4's built in America. 611 was at the head of a Norfolk Southern employee appreciation train from Norfolk, Virginia, with, This page was last edited on 27 December 2020, at 01:11. In the early 1980s, Robert Claytor, president of Norfolk and Western in its last months, had his eye on 611. The Norfolk & Western did not boast an expansive passenger fleet, even during the streamliner age. 1218 is a four-cylinder simple articulated steam locomotive with a 2-6-6-4 (Whyte system) wheel arrangement.The Norfolk & Western Railway built it in 1943 at its Roanoke Shops in Roanoke, Virginia and was part of the N&W's class A fleet of fast freight locomotives. 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. 611 went to Strasburg, Pennsylvania to participate in the Strasburg Rail Road's "N&W Reunion of Steam" event where it ran several excursion trips alongside N&W 4-8-0 No. 611 was retired in 1959 from revenue passenger service and moved to the Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) in 1962. For a full schedule of steam specials and railfan events in 2020, please see the Railfan Events & Excursions Calendar. 611: American Icon Blu-ray The Story of the Last Norfolk & Western Class J Steam Locomoti… Sale. If you have always wondered with it is like to step into the cab, to ride behind #611, to be part of “firing up” the engine, or just blowing the whistle, here is your chance! In the end, with steam parts suppliers closing due to other railroads switching to diesel power, the N&W purchase some new diesel locomotives, and retired their fleet of steam locomotives. By Train099 Watch. On April 2, 2012, The City of Roanoke officially donated both 611 & 1218 to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. In 1958 and 1959, the railroad ran several Farewell To Steam excursions, with No. Norfolk and Western and Southern Railway had by this time merged into Norfolk Southern; this now doubled the amount of track available for 611 to tour. 611 history Craftsmen at Norfolk & Western’s Roanoke Shops built No. [8], In 2011, the Norfolk Southern brought back their steam program, under the name 21st Century Steam, leading to speculation among some about a possible restoration of 611. As one of the last, most prominent, and most distinctive locomotives assembled in Roanoke, the 611 often serves as a symbol for Roanoke and its railroad history. 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. Norfolk And Western 611. 611 arrived in Spencer on May 25 and took part in the Streamliners at Spencer event the following weekend. No. Speed: Up to 70 mph Regularly […] After passenger service was dieselized in 1958, some were used in freight service. [17], On April 9, 2016, the 611 ran "The Virginian" from Spencer, North Carolina to Lynchburg, Virginia and "The Blue Ridge Special" from Spencer to Asheville, North Carolina the next day. In 1984, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers named 611 a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and it has since been added to the National Park Service's Historic American Engineering Record.[5]. All norfolk and western artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}37°16′27″N 79°55′55″W / 37.27405°N 79.93202°W / 37.27405; -79.93202, On November 22, 2013, Norfolk Southern announced that they were donating $1.5 million of the proceeds from an auction of a Mark Rothko painting to the "Fire Up 611!" 610 was built in 1943 by the Roanoke Shops in Roanoke, Virginia for the Norfolk and Western railroad. Broadway Limited BLI Norfolk & Western J N&W #611 4-8-4 W/PARAGON Sound/DCC/DC. Experience the only remaining examples of the Norfolk & Western’s legendary success at the Virginia Museum of Transportation: the Class A 1218 and the Class J 611. Built at the Roanoke Shops in May 1950, No. 611 Tracker. [1] Because of their power and speed, the class "J"s were among the most reliable engines, running as many as 15,000 miles (24,000 km) per month, even on the mountainous and relatively short route of the N&W.[1]. $424.99. 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. 611 to operating condition once again for excursion service in May 2015. Roanoke bred. $24.50 shipping. 611 was retired again in December 1994 and moved back to the VMT. [14], On May 21, 2015, 611 made a brief test run from Spencer to Greensboro, North Carolina, pulling her auxiliary tender and tool car along with eight Norfolk Southern passenger cars behind her. Shop for norfolk and western art from the world's greatest living artists. [3] The locomotive was donated to the Roanoke Transportation Museum in Roanoke, Virginia in 1962, where it sat dormant for two decades. Choose your favorite norfolk and western designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more! The restoration was done with the help of volunteers, including several from the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Norfolk Southern's "21st Century Steam" program formally concluded in 2015 but the 611 will continue to lead occasional excursions. Robert Claytor envisioned a similar program for the N&W. The N&W Class J 611 is the sole survivor of 14 Class J steam locomotives designed and built by the Norfolk & Western Railway. Its mission was to pull the Powhatan Arrow, a 15-car passenger train, from Norfolk, Virginia, to Cincinnati, Ohio. Between Monroe, NC and Bristol, TN, the J’s also pulled the Tenesseean, the Pelican and the Birmingham Special between Monroe, VA and Bristol TN/VA. 611 pulling the very last one in October 1959. 92 Views. The Commonwealth's Official Transportation Museum. Norfolk and Western No. 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. Built at the Roanoke Shops in May 1950, No. In 1950, after the big three steam locomotive builders had stopped building steam locomotives, the Norfolk & Western Railway built three more Class J-1s (road numbers 611 through 613). Interestingly, the railroad worked in conjunction nearly as much with other systems in moving their trains as it did its own. The locomotive was checked for all functions. 611 in May 1950, finishing the job on May 29. Railway 's steam program continue to lead occasional excursions 29.95 $ 24.95 Blu-ray Story. 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