N&W 611: The Power and Might of the Queen

[@deedeesteele1801]

This brings back bittersweet memories of my childhood. My Grandfather worked on the rail road. I used to sit up on a hill at his home and watch the big scary monster come screaming over the Wildcat bridge at Cutler, Indiana. My sister and me slept in Grandma's big feather bed. At night, we would hear the old puffer tearing down the tracks and blowing it's scary horn; we'd crawl under the covers and we could feel the ground vibrate from the movement on the tracks below. Memories I will never forget and cherish forever.

[@VincesArtDesigns]

WONDERFUL VIDEO! I love the girl at 4:00 in her little longe chair waving at the fireman and the train!

[@tweets8284]

the most classy train i have ever seen..loved it!!

[@chrismasingo430]

Won an At the Throttle raffle the day after our wedding and got to operate her for 30 minutes on the grounds at the NC Transportation Museum. Edge to my wedding day as the greatest day of my life but that was a very close second.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

wow i wish i could have operated a magnificent beast of locomotive like 611

[@pauljw7697]

Some of the other steam excursion railroads have offered several excuses for having a diesel locomotive in their consist. I've heard everything from adding to the braking power, being able to maintain track speed and not have any effect on the freight traffic, to just saying their insurance company requires the diesel. I've heard several reasons over the years. But it's great to see there are still some mainline steam locomotives still able to perform the job and not have any help. And perform that job very well pulling 20 passenger cars through that hilly terrain. I was saddened to hear 611 will only have runs on Strasburg Railroad this summer(2021). NS pulled everything out of Roanoke and now they're denying 611 excursions on the home rails she ran back in her day. Shame on you NS.

[@АлександраБелокурова-е7в]

Л

[@GevoGenesis92]

The 611 can do the work of 2-3 P42 Genesis locomotives.

[@michaelfisher7835]

I have always been amazed at how the curves are calculated just right, so as to not pinch the drivers. Some curves look so tight to me that I find it incredible that these large steam engines can traverse them at all. Fascinating!

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

they have loose axles

[@steamnutter7553]

I always thought the curves were were pretty sharp too, but it's mostly the angle of the shot that makes them look sharp.

[@williammoses6232]

I love American steam locomotives. Norfolk and Western's # 611 loco. makes the British steam locomotive the Mallard look like Thomas the tank engine norfolk and western locomotive #611 big, beautiful , powerful , and with plenty of bad attitude to spare!!!! long live the Queen!!!!!

[@usstiger_cd4165]

Also in theory 611 can beat mallard's speed record.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

hahaha you like N&W 611 and like LMS princess elizabeth

[@tedcartwright3183]

First I want to say thank you so much. That video took me to a place I haven't been in a long time. Second, I loved the low angle shots. It really brings out her majesty. And third, that is a most appropriate tittle. Thanks again

[@BlueCometProductions]

Well thank you for your support 😄

[@BlueCometProductions]

Comments like that are what keeps me motivated and happy in my work, so again thank you!

[@DerekDtj]

We rode behind the 611 many times, including the last run up the grade to Saluda and to Asheville. The best one of all was the day we boarded the trip at the Chattanooga ChooChoo restaurant and headed out on the NS mainline with Graham Claytor at the throttle. He got the old girl up to 95mph and it was quite a show, believe me!

[@GeneBradby]

I have a 611 in my model railroad. Just Great.

[@amyreynolds3619]

in the south east the royal family of steam engines are 611, 1218, 4501, 630, 722 and the Best friend of Charleston.

[@timbod3367]

Such great digital quality video and sound.. some of the best I've seen for awhile. Pan That Camera with the engine and running gear! Swing back to catch the drag. Enjoyed.. Thank you.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Excellent production.

[@BlueCometProductions]

Thanks Eric!

[@trainboy1052]

I was there, i got a really good video of 611 as she pulled in on the first day!

[@sepposaarikoski7378]

This was beautifull to see, thank you !

[@renardgrise]

Excellent editing mate. Good stuff! The pacing of this video kept me glued ;-).

[@pipafumador]

La locomotora a vapor es la comunión perfecta entre ingeniería y arte. Prefiero admirar una locomotora tan bella como ésta que contemplar un Picasso. Saludos desde Chile, Sudamérica. 🇨🇱

[@gordonsnell6735]

My favorite locomotive, good old N&W class J 611 😊😊

[@rwjf5988]

"The past is a foreign country They do things differently there" How magnificently they did them. What an amazing creation, may she steam forever.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

yes i would like to ride in coach behind her tender if her service stays running

[@janettaschuch3591]

Looks like she got detailed for the run. Real shiny.

[@williamschlenger1518]

Made to run😎Full head of steam.Great footage😊

[@WizenedVariations1]

She is the "Queen", like #4014 is the "Big Boy." She fits into the close quarters of eastern right of way like she was born for it (she was).

[@csxnstrainman]

Awesome video! It was nice to meet you in Bull Run (2nd shot).

[@BlueCometProductions]

Haha it was nice meeting you too!

[@Vik_ru]

Красота, да и только.

[@Mike77E9]

Nicely done Chad! Great job!

[@BlueCometProductions]

Thanks Mike!

[@michaelwood9922]

georgeous stunning magnificent and all the words cannot explain about the queen

[@bobcornford3637]

Hi Chad, well shot. Lovely machine. I see that the rather beautiful 12 wheel pullman car is missing from this consist. Hope it's ok.

[@mercury7590]

Of course, people will have different opinions as to the true Queen Of Steam, but 611 is certainly in line for the throne.

[@usstiger_cd4165]

No doubt about that.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

yup along with maybe LMS princess elizabeth

[@09JDCTrainMan]

Finally, someone with common sense. Yes, we can have own opinion of the true Queen of Steam, and IMO, it's the 611 for mechanical reasons.

[@WSOR10C]

Stunning!

[@ScottTaipaleRail]

lovely collection of shots

[@gordonsnell6735]

Nice catch & well done 😊😊

[@cayoharksen]

blue comet:seus videos sao excelentes, parabéns, sem tremedeira, sem o barulho da máquina de filmagem(aquele, clik-clik), vento, respiraçao, comer e fazer barulho com a boca perto do microfone tudo isso incomoda ao assistir o video e seus videos sao maravilhosos, PARABÉNS!!☆

[@jacksalvin364]

The Queen of Steam.

[@ClassicalMusicMan]

Beautiful :D

[@matthewmedley8514]

I’ve always been curious, “why the mis - matched” cars?

[@BlueCometProductions]

Cars from multiple groups and organizations form the train, the engine pulls them

[@lawrencesmith5011]

They should put the N&W cars up front and the mis matched cars at the rear

[@austrorus]

magnificent beast! with a - nose - like hers and the single lamp so high up. was she also used as her own snow plough? the - wagon - behind the loco, what was there. extra water and-or coal?

[@southwestvirginiarailfan729]

+ austrorus Magnificent beast indeed, & the most powerful 4-8-4 "northern" in existence. as for the snow thing, she probably could plow through snow, to a certain extent, but usually railroads over here will assign a certain train for plowing snow, usually a russel plow, flanger, rotarys etc, which are designed for plowing snow. If your talking about the car directly behind the engine, that's its tender, which carries both coal & water. If your talking about the car directly behind the tender, it is just for extra water so they don't have to stop as often to fill up.

[@SouthernerFloridain2006]

Does the Trains I mean the full consist go through Strasburg Virginia

[@orrinpetermann9309]

I seen does engine before when I was in the North Carolina transport museum

[@dfitch811]

I've often wondered: why is it that #611 almost never seems to have a diesel helper? Don't get me wrong - I love seeing a train pulled with not a diesel in sight, but it just seems like most steam-pulled trains have at least one diesel in tow for dynamic braking or some such...

[@williammoses6232]

the diesel usually provides electrical power to the passenger cars unless there's a generator car in the consist

[@darriusstrainsthings5736]

Yes you the diesel is used for electrical power for the passenger cars ugh priceless knowledge about excursions

[@usstiger_cd4165]

The only time 611 really needs diesels is on Old Fort loops now, they did have 1 in the consist, most likely for dynamic breaking, but since the 611 is very modern for its time, most likely that diesel wasn't in use.

[@justahillbilly7777]

@@usstiger_cd4165 There were two diesels on 611’s 2016 trip over the S Line, those being Norfolk Southern’s Southern heritage unit GEVO 8099 and Southern Railway FP-7 6133.

[@brianfalzon6739]

Would love to see RBM&N 425 doubleheading with 611!!!!

[@Silvertone_Spiral]

Just got the vid to 1k likes, feeling good!

[@ogtme]

The big beautiful engine with the cute little face

[@amtrak_121]

Are 611 and 4449 really the only operating streamlined steam locomotives

[@marcas8269]

Yup

[@amtrak_121]

Desviados TS and how many streamlined steam locomotives overall are surviving

[@PereMarquette1223]

CNR 6060 should be running again soon, it’s semi-streamlined. Don’t forget the NC&StL 576 in Nashville.

[@amtrak_121]

PereMarquette1223 I’m not sure if 576 is streamlined

[@PereMarquette1223]

Amtrak121 it’s semi-streamlined just like the 4449.

[@aneveningatthesaladbar6884]

Does anyone think there's ever a chance of the 611's speed limit being lifted? It would be amazing to see her flyin by at 70.

[@mrperdue5854]

Sir they took her out west on flat ground no cars in tow and some people said she achieved a speed of around 125 mph. THAT IS HAULING ASS for A STEAM TRAIN

[@usstiger_cd4165]

@@mrperdue5854 That isn't the question, my answer is yes, and hopefully soon, it would be cool 611 going through my town pulling an NS Excursion from Raleigh in Charlotte NC beating some Piedmont trains to it, and no if it was going to beat the speed record it will most likely be on the NEC where it can go over 125 hauling some cars with it.

[@brianrigsby7900]

Y does her steam change colors from shot to shot? From white to gray to black

[@brianrigsby7900]

What does it mean when the puffing speeds up randomly?

[@liveoakgaming5967]

means the wheels are slipping. every quarter of a wheel turn the valve on one side or the other opens to let the steam from the piston exhaust through the stack, the stack is designed so the escaping steam sucks air through the firebox, which makes it hotter and helps produce more steam. when the wheels slip because too much power is applied, the pistons "run away" and cycle much quicker. A steam engine has the maximum possible force on a piston when the piston is at rest, so when applying power from a stop, the entire weight of the engine has to apply enough friction to the rails to counter the weight of the train. which is why heavier steam engines are better. There is an old saying that steam engines can pull trains they can't start, and diesels can start trains they cannot pull. A single Steam locomotive of comparable size to a diesel has 4 times the amount of torque, for the same overall weight, which is why longer trains with diesels typically have 3 or 4 diesels, but a single steam locomotive could do the job of all four.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

wheelslip i think

[@JodyBeeler]

@brianrigsby.if the smoke is white it's all steam. It it's gray it's steam mixed

[@ThomasAndrewsShipBuilder]

C O N N O R

[@ArnavKhode]

@Julian R Yea. Besides he never mentioned where he was from but it would be cool if that happened, and if he mentioned the NYC railroads treatment of Hudson’s and other steamers.

[@Madhav_GTR]

You mean Thomas and friends Connor

[@jordanriley4510]

The space battle ship Yamato 2202

[@daveyboygee]

How fast is she topping out here?

[@BlueCometProductions]

40mph max speed

[@voxer99]

Lots of black smoke. Does that mean the coal is being burned inefficiently? Not enough air getting into the firebox resulting in incomplete combustion?

[@marcellocolona4980]

Who cares? Photographs well.

[@voxer99]

I didn't know that, thanks.

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

No problem, glad I could help.

[@renegadeoflife87]

Combustion efficiency on coal is not hard. It just requires a little bit of knowledge and practice on the part of the fireman. The coal is thrown in a certain pattern, thick on the edges thin in the center with care taken to not leave any holes that let excess air through or thick patches that block the air excessively. With a bit of practice swinging the shovel, the fireman will cause the engine to swallow its smoke and burn efficiently, using less coal per mile than an engine belching black as it goes. Of course the photographers love the impressive image that rolling black smoke makes, and sometimes the fireman will make the engine smoke on purpose for photo runbys. I sometimes do it too with the steam tractor when waiting for a turn on the plow, laying the coal on thick for photos knowing that once the plow digs in and the governor opens up the fire will become intense and eat the soot up.

[@j.christopherlindsey8933]

@@renegadeoflife87 I'm with you there. My opinion is they stoke the fire a little in areas that'll probably gather a lot of sightseers. I've seen videos of 611 working hard in remote areas and she has a relatively clean stack. I don't mind the theatrics, but I prefer to see her running clean.

[@dormessujobolsonaro4565]

Aí tem pressão com força

[@chuck6187]

Great no Diesel to slow her down!

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

not all diesels are some like the Krauss Maffei are great

[@Pinheiro.2015]

My favorite locotive is 4449 !

[@Pinheiro.2015]

Train

[@luciocortiglia2724]

Hello

[@Pinheiro.2015]

The Union Pacific !

[@Pinheiro.2015]

Is 4449 !

[@09JDCTrainMan]

@@Pinheiro.2015 4449 was built for the Southern Pacific

[@dariusthedmirconsolidation3494]

Is you dum

[@dariusthedmirconsolidation3494]

It’s the 611

[@hawkeye-vv4kb]

Only 6 driving wheels pulling 20 (or 21) cars! I don't think the Brits had something equivalent.

[@jmtrainz2582]

*8

[@heatherallan2695]

she is the 3rd queen 2860-6060 co me first

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

611 is super amazing. But it still doesn't beat 765!

[@BlueCometProductions]

Metra MP36 407 it kinda does though ._.

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

Everyone has their own tastes. 765 is my taste.

[@bmanhithere7813]

611 has been and will always be king but I still love 765. 765 was one of the 1st REAL steam engines I've ever seen.

[@LydeckerFan]

it does on any comparison. Tractive effort, Speed, service intervals.

[@renegadeoflife87]

Depends on the application. 611 was express passenger- she rides fast and smooth, while 765 was fast freight- she's a bit rougher on the drawbar and doesn't go quite as fast, but can she ever pull hard.

[@arizonaant5265]

for whatever reason, i am not seeing power. i am seeing a good looking train. im watching that smoke/ steam and it says this engine is purely excursion.

[@usstiger_cd4165]

If someone sees 611 for the good, it still the good way of seeing it.