"I'm Goin' Home"- N&W 611 Return to Roanoke May 30, 2015

[@sparkle27crystal]

I love, love, love this train! This is the most impressive and beautiful steam trains I have ever seen. I am so proud to be living where her new home is. I work in Roanoke, VA and we are so glad she is home! Beautiful video!

[@4myauto]

Long Live the Queen of Steam! My grandfather would tell me stories of his childhood in Bluefield Va. The Powhatan Arrow used to roll through with one of these mighty J class engines at the head of it. His father before him worked for the N&W as a mechanic and motorcar operator, working alongside these very trains. It is wonderful to know that so many people care enough to keep the history and memories alive for the future generations to enjoy! I found it ironic though, based on the video description that the engine last ran in December of 1994, because that was the month and year I was born!

[@NSrailfan96]

Thanks for watching! This is part of why I love going to these events and going out to see these things. Not only do you literally get to see history in the making, but you get to meet all sorts of people that have tons of interesting stories. I was born in '96 so I never got to see the 611 under steam until the test run on May 21st, and it was something I'll remember forever.

[@dylanwatson1287]

+NSrailfan96 Me too! My Grandmother rode behind 611 three different times. One with her husband and my Dad when he was about my age on a One Way trip to Lynchburg from Greensboro, NC around 1983 or '84. The other two are when all the J's were running regular service in the 50's in which she rode behind one of them around Danville, VA. Her personal favorite was the 4501. I finally had my great opportunity to ride behind the ole girl last Summer to Radford from Roanoke roundtrip. What awesome fun that was for me!

[@4myauto]

Awesome! I'm still trying to get there to see it! I have a list of engines that I want to see in person. I just crossed Strasburg, Pennsylvania's roster off my list this past summer!

[@michaelhollingsworth4688]

611 is a beautiful locomotive

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

Welcome back to your home turf, 611. We're glad to have you back on the rails after all these years.

[@trainman5552]

+JCBro2014 i agree that it's great that 611 has returned to the mane line after 21 years now i had made a comment if they could do the same with the 1218 (well cause i think she's been a display piece long enough and the 611's sister should come back) even though i brag about how the 844 and the 3985 are my most favorite steam locomotives ever i also like the 611 and the 1218 (i know they're both from the same railroads but i just like to think of the four engines as cousins)

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

TrainMan 555 It would take a lot to get 1218 on the rails again. She was in the middle of an overhaul in 1994 when NS scrapped their steam program. Rather than let 1218 finish her overhaul and then drop her fire and haul her home, NS cancelled the overhaul and left her in pieces. They put her back together on the outside in 2003 so she could join 611 at the Vriginia Museum of Transportation.

[@trainman5552]

+JCBro2014 ah yes I had forgotten that ns dropped the steam program in 94 that was also the year I was born in they said that they could have 1218 operating but they have to check the boiler and firebox they should also restore nickel plate 587 and another thing I should say is that I really hate what the up has done with the 844 and 3985 my reasons are is that I hate they had to remove the mars light of 844 (some say that she looks better with out it but It just doesn't feel the same and I wish they could fix it) and I really wish they would restore the 3985 and not let her sit in the round house doing nothing since they're too focus on getting the 4014 running again I like the idea that they are restoring a big boy but I think they should also focus on the two engines that they've had the longest cause without the 844 and the 3985 I don't think the up would have a steam program

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

TrainMan 555 587 definitely needs to be restored. 765 is actually on the new NS steam program, she even pulled the 30th anniversary employee special in 2012. So her sister deserves to be allowed to return. As for 844's mars light, it may have been too expensive to maintain. And I do hope 3985 won't be forgotten after 4014 returns to the rails. 3985 is the only surviving Challenger.

[@trainman5552]

+JCBro2014 you're right I had though 844 still had the mars light I didn't know it was taken off (some say that engines that had mars lights look better without them) like the 765 I just think the mars light gives the 844 character (how expensive is it to fix those things) I just wish they could fix the mars light for 844 and pay attention to the 3985 I know I complained about the mars light (it's just that I'm not the kind of person that's not really use to changes)

[@jamitch3]

Got to see the 611 in Spencer just before this. I have memories of riding excursion trains that she pulled from Greenville to Atlanta (back before they stopped letting them run her at anything close to full speed) and later from Greenville to Toccoa, GA after. Wonderful to see her running again. I won't get to any of the excursions this year, but hopefully I can in the future.

[@NSrailfan96]

+Jack Mitchell Glad you at least got to see her! Hopefully she'll be pulling trains for many years to come, so hopefully you'll get to see her run. It's surely a sight to behold.

[@buntik1687ify]

Great news! yay!! I will definitely make sure i see her in person!!

[@navmark77]

Nice video, thanks for posting. The quality is excellent.

[@NSrailfan96]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@railroadingrambler218]

Fine video; I especially like the footage in Chatham (just the train & VA countryside!) & Altavista (terrific going over the bridge!!)

[@NSrailfan96]

Railroading Rambler Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I think that the Chatham and Altavista shots would also be my favorites.

[@ffjsb]

4:12, you can literally see the ground shake as she passes by. 1218 made the ground shake even more.

[@NSrailfan96]

+ffjsb It feels damn near an earthquake as this engineering marvel passes by at speed. Sorry for the late reply, sometimes these comments don't show up in the feed. Seems as though "googletube" changes every month. Thanks for watching!

[@nathantrain1372]

Wow, nice chasing scenes! I subbed!! :-)

[@NSrailfan96]

Thanks for subbing, I returned the favor. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching!

[@DanyCesc83]

Thanks to all

[@justinstrickland5382]

Whoever entered the frame at 2:09 then pranced towards the photographer should get slapped in the back of the head