611 Vs Irondale Hill.wmv

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

The 611 was a sight to behold. She was sleak, would pull like a mule and run like a race horse. Many times I chased her back in the day, and to say she was powerful is a HUGE understatement. And that Hancock whistle would just role through the hills with a haunting echo that would send chills right through you.

[@jamesvance8456]

611 is now July 2021 at Strasburg. Pa. pulling there trains to Paradise (Paradise,Pa.) it will be there all summer if anyone wants to see her.

[@Joeybagofdonuts76]

This video never gets old as much as I watch it.

[@timsmith4096]

Thanks! Just wish you had seen it, and HEARD it (incredibly loud) in person.

[@Joeybagofdonuts76]

@@timsmith4096 I have seen her when she was running in the 90's. I like to say that her whistle sings, where the 1218 , when running, said "I have a job to do, get the (blank) out of my way!" Lol

[@lawrencekeesler7369]

"In both cases, the camera is left on longer than usual to record the sounds of 611 in the distance." You get heaps of credit here, Z9Now! The 611's sounds are as beautiful as its appearance. Some years back I rode behind it through the isolated hills it used to ply daily. We saw many older people standing in their yards at the tracks weeping for the joy of the sound of a familiar friend passing by. Memorable! Excellent catch passing beneath the bridge, too!

[@zathras9now]

Thanks! people in this day and age seem to have forgotten about the pure joy of audio. That is a huge part of teh steam experience.

[@Kolonol1]

zathras9now no we haven't....we are just fewer and far apart

[@deloreanman14]

POOF! @ 4:58. Also notice the steam seeping in between the gap in the overpass. Incredible footage.

[@boblackey1]

@zathras9now Well thank you for this fine video. I just found it a few days ago and keep watching it over and over. I was born in the 40's and grew up very close to the main line in Roanoke, Va and watched the steam power daily with great interest as a kid and teen. Remember riding to Norfolk behind a "J" class and I can still see it in my mind as you could see it up front in the turns. Don't know if it was 611 or one of her sisters. I see it often today sitting cold on Norfork Ave in Roke, Va.

[@robertgift]

Nice hearing the sounds of the locomotive from the distance. Also the birds! Could you get on a hill away from the traffic noise? Get a tripod. Fun seeing the smoke through the bridge opening. My great uncle had problems withis huge 4-8-4 freight locomotive slipping. The railroad always had him pull more tonnage than the locomotive was rated.

[@zathras9now]

@boblackey1 When the steam excursion program was running,her home base was right over the mountain from where I grew up. I miss seeing her run more than words can tell. Glad you got to see them in their hey day!

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

This is what it's like being a Motorman on a trolley, going up a 2.5% grade. It's tough as hell. I've done it!

[@Rayo_Rob_No.17]

Not a bad video, it's too bad 611 is retired now and doesn't operate any longer. She's a beautiful example of streamlined steam! Just chased Santa Fe 3751 yesterday evening Steam is beautiful! It's an experience that one will remember forever. Even those who aren't fans of railroads remember steam locos when experienced. We're lucky to have some operate on occasion today! Keep steam alive! :-)

[@infaredxkingz8786]

Oh buddy, back when i was born she stayed with 1218 and 2156. That was back then, this is her now

[@georgeferrocarril4894]

I've ridden 611 since she started doing excursion trips from 1982 and on, been behind her many times, was and is a really gorgeous loco, even got to help work on her when she came through my town in ILL, that was a real thrill and honor to pay her back for all the great trips I had, hope they bring her back and 1218 too

[@zathras9now]

I just got lucky that day. Goodheart Productions was on hand as well, and called it "one of the most dramatic wheel ships ever captured." What started out as a bad day turned wonderful over time.

[@zathras9now]

Excellent! One thing about railfans, someone always is out there with the answers! Thanks for your contribution!

[@Bassfanatic94]

Wow! That was some really really nice footage you got! N&W 611 really showed what she had at 3:30! Holy crap that was a lot of smoke! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see more!

[@jamesvance8456]

The Bears in the woods said, Oh! here comes that coal smoke again. People's clothes on the lines were ruined, had to be washed again.

[@quad1000]

Fascinating footage...really laboring...you can feel it on the edge with every chug! Thanks!

[@f4fwildcat29]

The best part about having 611 restored is that we dont have to rely on 90's video quality to watch her in action

[@zathras9now]

Thanks! Wow, I'd love to chase SF 3751. Those were some fine locomotives!

[@zathras9now]

Thanks so much! There's some 3 minutes before you see the train, which is not visually interesting, but I was more interested there in recording the sound of the locomotive. That is something I think today is lost...the idea of listening. Thanks again!

[@boblackey1]

One rail expert recently wrote "Norfolk and Western's design people at it's Roanoke shops back then didn't learn from anybody! They wrote the book!" Amen!

[@jamesvance8456]

The best boilermakers in the world in the N&W Roanoke Shops but still did not get the credit they deserved.

[@sajdrj]

Love this video, it was a great catch. It would be nice for NS to wake up the 611 for their new steem program. She has such a nice whistle.... sounds like she is singing....

[@boblackey1]

@southern4501isawesom Yes I recently visited the museum (I like to go a couple of times a year) and I noticed when I got on 1218 (there is plexiglass blocking one from actually walking into the cab on 1218 and 611 and toching the controls) you could tell through a small opening in the firebox door that it was empty inside and at the same spot on 611 you could see it had stuff in there. Earlier this year they moved 1218 to the back& put another engine, I think C&O 610, next to 611 4 a month.

[@NS3210]

Wow!! I wish I was 19 in 1992!

[@tprdfh51]

That engine is working for every inch of track she gains...wow!

[@FenderFoamer]

SO GREAT!!!!!!!!! Awesome catch i recorded the sound to this onto my phone and use it as my alarm!!!! This is a good one.. I liked and Subbed!!

[@zathras9now]

Thanks! Funny part is, had things gone as I had planned, we'd have begun chasing a long way down the tracks, and missed it all. The long buildup was to capture as best i could the distant sound of a steam locomotive approaching.

[@GPS7777]

I'd love to have a framed picture of that at 4:00. Absolutely beautiful a steam engine working it's hardest!

[@timsmith4096]

To bad I did not have an extra set of arms or I would have been burning up the Kodachrome that day as well!

[@zathras9now]

Wow! I did not know the date! I have seen a clip of that Goodheart video and played it over and over again..Thanks for confirming! I need to get a copy of that video...

[@bobbyjekins9807]

611 is one well built locomotive to say the least

[@NW2300]

I havent gotten to see it on the mainline yet, but it's always a pleasure seeing the 611 run and be able to actually see it and hear it. Glad she's still around. Awesome video!!

[@struck2soon]

I bet the driver was bricking it in the curve, looks like the old girl nearly stalled even with sanders going flat out! What a great sound as the grade eases and speed picks up.

[@zathras9now]

@sajdrj Yes indeed, and how I loved to hear her sing! Thanks!

[@zathras9now]

@Vintage1976 This is from the Oporto-Madrid Blvd bridge. the train is coming from Birmingham, and passes under this bridge, then climbs into Irondale immediately; the line between Birmingham and Irondale is just a few hundred feet beyond the bridge.

[@zathras9now]

@Vintage1976 Coming from downtown Birmingham at the weed lot that was once our fabulous Terminal Station (30 years later we are all still ticked about that!), going through Irondale, and past the shops that were here home, and onward to Chattanooga.

[@LydeckerFan]

The J's did all the heavy passenger service in the mountains. "A" class engines worked some of the heavier troop trains during WWII and Korea. The N&W K2 and K2a's did the lesser passenger service. N&W did have some 4-6-2's E, E1 E2, that were light weight flat lands passenger service loco's and had for a while some PRR K3 4-6-2's that were dumped right after WWII. Branchline passenger service could be E2's K2's or even M class 4-8-0's.

[@boblackey1]

Just read this engine (611) will be moved from Roanoke, Va, where it's been static since 1994, to Spencer, N. C. & the North Carolina Transportation Museum for restoration. The 611 will leave Spencer, N. C. under it's own power in about 8 months. I think it is fantastic this engine is going to run again.

[@zathras9now]

Oh how glad I am of that...and that all the nay sayers were wrong!

[@zathras9now]

Been watching all morning! On her way once more. I just wish we still had the steam shop here, so we'd see her progress.

[@jay600katana]

If your talking about C&O 614, she is also coal fired. Oil burners tend to smoke more at times, like when clearing the tubes of soot. Coal can be fired clear or transparent smoke 90% of the time, most of what people see on the net or in movies is for show.

[@Theoriginaltkg2902]

its a matter of air and water. A lot of steam in the smoke, the old heads would say "he's burnin water". Too much air in the fuel mixture tends to turn oil smoke a beige colour, too much fuel turns it blacker.

[@boblackey1]

I remember the 1950's and riding on N&W passenger trains. In the turns I could see the class "J" engine up front but had not idea then if it was 611,610, 602 or what. The passenger trains then ran from Norfolk, Va to Ohio through Roanoke, Va and to Bristol, Tenn from Roanoke. Between Roanoke & Bristol & Roanoke & Cincy there were a lot of steep grades but the train wasn't as long & heavy as those special trips in the 1980's & 90's. During the war they used class "A" on the long troop trains.

[@jamesvance8456]

Yes, some of the Class "A's" had Steam Connectors for Passenger Trains. 70 inch Drivers, same as the "J's"

[@zathras9now]

Thanks! I hope we see this scene soon...either in person or in Hi Definition video!

[@jtb4]

Black smoke indicates a fire that is larger than required. It was always best practice to run a "Clear stack" or very light smoke. A perfectly tuned fire will be clear with only steam from the exhaust. The black comes straight from the firebox, through the flues, smokebox and up the chimney. Going up grade it is normal to have a very strong fire which will result in black smoke. To run with a clear stack, you need to plan far in advance and anticipate what grade and speed the engineer wil go.

[@buntik1687]

That's a very heavy train for her and the 2 helpers

[@TheSteamLocomotive]

I sure hope #1218 and the last Y class engines run soon too.

[@zathras9now]

Oops. My mistake. N&W was meant. NS is only now getting back to running some locomotives on coal!

[@tprdfh51]

Hey...there are a couple of yard goats pushing on the tail end!

[@zathras9now]

You can sure hear that here! Boy was it incredibly loud in person!

[@BigCowboy1963]

Thanks for the Video. Einfach unvorstellbar diese Power.

[@boblackey1]

@zathras9now Also the new NorfolkSouthern CEO wants a steam program again and it is said to beging this fall. But they are not using either the 611 or 1218 this time but some older Southern engines, a couple of which, were IN the old program so you may have seen them there in Alabama too back then too. 611 sat in Wasena Park in Roanoke from 1960 to 81 and I remember when they moved it out with a diesel to take it to Alabama to restore it to running order for the steam program.

[@zathras9now]

Well built and great looking!

[@quad1000]

Welll...any hope for the return of 611 to excursion service?

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

don't you mean the NW? not NS

[@jamesvance8456]

After 1982 "NS"

[@struck2soon]

Just watched this again after a gap of a couple of years. Shows that steam can get a heavy train up a gradient WITHOUT a whole heap of diesels tied in. UP, take note...bet they still have diesels on when Big Boy 4014 finally runs.

[@6484373]

+struck2soon Take another look... the train had 2 diesels coupled to the rear of the train.

[@timgreen4137]

ExcessMean The diesels are required by regulations to provide "dynamic braking", which steam engine cannot do.

[@struck2soon]

Tim Green, that is not true: by putting a steam loco into reverse gear and applying some throttle you then have "dynamic braking"...it is what steam locos have always used in the event of brake failure.

[@timgreen4137]

struck2soon what you describe, is not the same as the dynamic braking required by federal railroad regulations. though, I do see your point.

[@struck2soon]

Tim Green so I am guessing this Federal Regulation varies from state to state? J611 certainly managed some impressive trains on some heavily graded lines without diesels last year.

[@ble643]

Am I the only one that notices the conrail logo on the boxcar behind the tool car

[@boblackey1]

611 has been sitting in Roanoke, Virginia, where she was born in 1950, for 19 years. I just read the plan is to move 611 to Spencer, North Carolina for a restoration. So it looks as if she is coming back. I hope so. 611 had/has tremendous low end power as you can see here. She could also run over 120 mph. They got a J class up to 120 on flat track in Ohio & afraid to go any faster. So it's not certain how fast this engine would go. Probably 140 or 150 then derail or blow.

[@zathras9now]

@Vintage1976 No problem! Have a look around Irondale on Google Maps or Bing maps to get the lay of the land. You might want to head down to Chattanooga in the future, as now it seems to be the hub for future steam excursions.

[@italianirish10]

also i think they should have each of the train any typical train one in the museum and one for riding on the rail so meaning we will have two same train in seprated to use them as one for the musem and one for the rail use and if they only have one kind of locomotive only one and should put them into musem simple as that

[@zathras9now]

There are no such plans at present. The new program relies on rail museums for restoration and upkeep of the steamers. But, who knows...as the program grows, more demand for seats will mean more cars, and larger locomotives may be needed....I sure hope so!

[@willibill1]

When your talking about black vs white smoke, 614 is an oil fired loco, i think it is a little differnt than coal fired.

[@jamesvance8456]

Don't think N&W had any oil fired steam locos.

[@PoetryETrain]

Thank you much, added to a playlist...

[@jsn4824]

No matter how slow she goes, I don't think much can stop this monster. Its like the Energizer Bunny. It keeps going ang going ang going.

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

Anything is possible, at this point NS has stated that if another party wants to restore her that they would consider allowing her to run on their rails. Time will tell, the original steam program began very small as this current one has. I still believe that she is one of the best PR tools they could have.

[@zathras9now]

@dwkcamman611 Thanks! Really all I did was show up with a camera and get lucky!

[@boblackey1]

@zathras9now That is about the best chuggin' footage I've seen of the 611. Sounds as if she got down to about 1/3 throttle to keep the big drivers from spinning yet still brought that train up the hill and took it away. Back in the 50's when I was a kid, the "J" series engines' trains were not that long and heavy and the last car was rounded at the back. I'm from Roanoke and it is sad to see 611 sitting there on Norfolk Ave cold. It last ran I think in 1994. 1218 is next to it.

[@jamesvance8456]

Powhatan Arrow (daylight streamliner) was only about (6) cars, the round car on the end was the "observation car" "cold beer" . No credit was ever given to 'Mike Sexton" the Engineer at Irondale, he knew how to handle the "J's"

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Alot of the vids I see of 611 have her slipping. Was she a slippery beast or is it just chance?

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

This is probably a little late, but 611 is a slippery engine, its adhesion factor is under 4, so its prone to slipping. Locomotives with a factor of 4 or better is not prone to slip as much.

[@jamesvance8456]

@@southwestvirginiarailfan729 correct

[@zathras9now]

I wish you could have seen it in person..it was unbelievably loud!

[@zathras9now]

For your alarm?! How cool! Thanks!

[@jay600katana]

PREECH IT BROTHER! because I have seen the light! lol

[@zathras9now]

@ble643 That is unusual. I suppose that is a power car or perhaps a tool car? I'll bet there's someone who knows the answer out there.

[@michaelhollingsworth9209]

That's the tool car behind the water tender

[@zathras9now]

Oh yes, that's normal. But as to the technical aspects of black vs. white steam, I'm not sure why.

[@jamesvance8456]

Black Smoke is a sign of waste, the fireman has a blower to control this. They used to give "smoking tickets" which resulted in time on the street. I live near a fireman who was on the steam engines, he says he was the "king of black smoke.Ha!Ha!

[@zathras9now]

Sorry, I have no idea. It was an odd addition.

[@zathras9now]

@Bassfanatic94 Thanks! It was a case of being in the right place at the right time for once...a total fluke!

[@zathras9now]

Absolutely...although it is a lot like the very early days of the old SR program. TVRM 630 is operating out of Chattanooga, and NPR 765 out of Ft. Wayne. Google "21st Cenury Steam". You'll also find plenty of videos right here on KZbin...

[@ralphaverill2001]

What glorious machines, and how utterly filthy. Imagining thousands of them pumping all that sooty smoke into the atmosphere makes one grateful for diesels. One is glad a few of the old steam locomotives are preserved, and just as grateful it's only a few.

[@guy6751]

Ralph Averill A good fireman can run a steam engine as clean or possibly cleaner than a diesel. It's maintenance that really makes steam impractical.

[@guy6751]

Ralph Averill A good fireman can run a steam engine as clean or possibly cleaner than a diesel. It's maintenance that really makes steam impractical.

[@herpnderpn2484]

Rather a few thousand of these and less that 1 billion people on this planet, than 8 billion people and several billion vehicles. Pollution isn't a problem when the numbers are small.

[@kleetus92]

Doing it old school, way to put on a show!

[@italianirish10]

wow this locomotive has a lots of horsepower i can hear how it chuffing with alot of pressure and i'm sure when it gave more pressure the wheel slipped so it had to adjust the pressure down and slow the train down to afford the pulling and i'm sure it's like if you put a racing engine or out put high horsepower in your car and you only give little bit gas the rear tire will spin and burn out as slippen just imagine how it occur the same thing to the train but i love train i am train fans

[@boblackey1]

@southern4501isawesom Oh so it was number 614. I remember the engine being there earlier this year sitting next to 611 and the number was close but I thought it was 610. Sorry. The Claytor's were the reason steam returned to NS and after they passed, then CEO David Goode didn't like the program and thought it had no place on the rails of a modern railroad. Well that is what I understand. But rising costs were also mentioned. But Goode is the reason 1218 is in it's current shape.

[@jamesvance8456]

Robert Claytor loved to run the 611, his brother "Graham Claytor" was on the ship that saved the Indy survivors. Those Claytor Boys were great "Americans'

[@bobyharyadi990]

wooooow nice smoke n steam ,👍

[@bobbyjekins9807]

How steep was this grade?

[@quad1000]

NS has re-started a steam program? You sure about that?

[@FenderFoamer]

I know right its certantly a great way to wake up

[@Theoriginaltkg2902]

And that coal business probably kept steam a year or two longer on coal roads like N&W, C&O B&O and others.

[@southern4501isawesom]

@boblackey1 yeah i saw the 614 in march it was awesome ... 1218 made me cry right there in that cab well teh part with out plexiglass.. and 611 was amazing.. i hope either i or some one else restores that monster to steam again

[@amtk415w]

SAND!!!!! More sand dammit!!!!

[@zathras9now]

Beautifully stated!

[@italianirish10]

bet this locomotive will need a wheel replacement at all the time because of slipping can cause the wheel to wear out the steel fast

[@jamesvance8456]

If you flatten those wheels you will get time on the street.

[@zathras9now]

Sorry, I have no idea.

[@dwkcamman611]

LOVE IT!!!

[@jay600katana]

Word around the campfire is that NS will not pay for her rebuild (can't blame them) but if she was rebuilt with private funding NS would allow her to run. In my opinion NS needs modern steam power (roller bearing engines) and always better to have too much power then not enough, same time it's not my choice to make. Its good NS is back in steam no matter what engines they run, 611 will have to be a dust collector until someone has the cash.

[@Greatdome99]

I've seen UP 844 climb the Blue Mtns in Oregon with 20 cars on a 2.2 percent grade--dragging a diesel in idle and with only a bit of wheel slip. And it's got 80-inch drivers.

[@Trainman2101]

Starting at 3:12 it looks like Mt. 611 just had an eruption.

[@leslie0965]

great stack talk

[@Theoriginaltkg2902]

But when she digs in, boy she lets you know!

[@garymathews9534]

that looks like a really steep climb .

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

I believe it was a HEP car.

[@zathras9now]

Give it time...someone will eventually do the right thing.

[@JonsGarage89]

Wait....what?

[@Stussmeister]

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

[@trainfann1]

Cool!

[@southern4501isawesom]

@boblackey1 the saddest part of all is 1218 is nothing but a shell

[@jamesvance8456]

Hey Matt, go and buy her and fix her up. you will get plenty of volunteers

[@zathras9now]

Thanks!

[@xgi36]

She is loosing traction on the grade ! In the old days they could use sand on the tracks , I suppose that is not permitted now.

[@jamesvance8456]

Steam and Diesel helplus without sand.

[@dwkcamman611]

WICKED VIDEO!!!