N&W 611 We Want You Back .wmv

[@distantsignal]

Love this production! Wonderful job and a beautiful tribute to this locomotive. DH

[@jamessimmons8352]

As a young kid growing up in the 50's I spent my summers visiting my grandparents who lived in Narrows, VA. along the New River. I clearly as yesterday remember the "J" class pulling passenger trains along the New River and the "A" class pulling long coal trains out of West Virginia. You never forget the sound of those whistles blowing in the distance as the trains wound their way through the valley. I can't wait to see the 611 run again and made my donation to help it happen. I sure hope others do too. Great video !! Brings back some of the best memories of my youth. Thanks !!!

[@michaelking3327]

THIS BROUGHT ME SO MANY HAPPY TEARS! I LIVE 1000 FEET FROM THE NS PEAVINE IN MOUNT ORAB OHIO AND HAVEN'T SEEN THE QUEEN OF STEAM SINCE 1992. THIS IS THE PERFECT SONG AND VIDEO MATCHUP. HOPEFULLY ONE DAY, SHE'LL RUN MY RAILS AGAIN.

[@mattjohnston7686]

The most beautiful piece of Iron, I have ever seen.

[@SignalyardsGarage]

I LOVE the way you ended it with the train riding off into the sunset at Rural Retreat! I was on her that day. IT GAVE ME CHILLS! Those old signals are gone now, but 611 survives! Great video!

[@mattjohnston7686]

I rode behind her in may of this year. it is something I will never forget. I love it!

[@axysdnyd]

What a beautiful machine!!! Always loved steam locomotives. Great video!!

[@mattjohnston7686]

Got to be the best Train Whistle I've EVER heard. Please, Please put it back on the Engine.

[@MattProtrains]

Congratulations, you just made me more eager to see this locomotive pound the iron again, this has to be one of the 10 best Train music videos I've seen on KZbin, I can't wait for 611 to return.

[@poirotlover]

Love this video! The 611 is beautiful and majestic and I can't wait to see her back on the rails again!

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

It's been a long time since I have seen the 611 under steam...I chased her or was behind her many times. We indeed do want her back, lets all donate what we can it will ALL help.

[@DanielPRails]

I remember sending this to some of my friends and family member around 2015-2016 and the excitement. I’ve been moving around for work ever since but I still want to catch a ride behind to this day. What a great video, well put together. Still visiting to this day 👌

[@Deckard2069]

Yes! She is coming back in all her glory! Can't wait to hear that whistle blow through the Roanoke valley!

[@cincybus8744]

and glad we got her back

[@roundhousewarrior2679]

Bring back n&w 1218

[@TrainFan119]

@@luckyrail23 ikr

[@dariusthedmirconsolidation3494]

It diserves to be brought back to life as well

[@Kkmssjdjdk_offical]

​@@roundhousewarrior2679and it's happening

[@stevematda4811]

That night shot at 4:41 of the 611 roaring past and the changing signals....priceless!!! Got a real kick out of the camera flashes going off too. Hope they got some good pictures!!!

[@MamaEtna]

Drop dead gorgeous. She deserves to be under steam again.

[@jianhoffman]

Wait no more, she's alive!

[@bluemtnsman]

Just saw this grand dame at the VMT last month. The experience was both spine tingling and heart rending sad. She needs her freedom to prowl the tracks again for sure.

[@richarddrum9970]

Japan may have their bullet train, but we have one in old 611, her bullet-shaped nose at speed is a tribute to the engineering and design of that era, God's speed lady. What a ride.

[@SwindellSteamWorks]

When the narrator said,"..she sits waiting", the wait is over.

[@pruitthall]

I tried posting a comment, so I'll add it here....WHAT A FANTASTIC VIDEO!!!

[@TonyKitchen471]

What a fantastic locomotive

[@rycn1450]

I have to thank my sister she bought me a ride in the engineer's seat of 611 in July of 2021 the best day ever!

[@deaderthandead1182]

she’s back and better than ever!

[@needlove1982]

I love how the scenes in this video , are parelled perfectly with this song. I love this video

[@chancebaxter8581]

what an amazing train 1 of the last stream liners. I love these amazing trains. If you ask me the steam locomotive is 1 of the best transportation inventions ever.

[@Dannyedelman4231]

She's been alive all this time, just sleeping from time to time!! ❤❤

[@JTB1956]

Don't be too quick to discount those old fellows. That knowledge is still here. About 20 minutes ago a steam excursion train from Roanoke to Lynchburg Va. went past my home at Thaxton. It wasn't the 611...but that will come. I hadn't heard a steam whistle in years...What a thrill!

[@douglambert4022]

We need you back to keep you & N&W alive & hope that wwe can bring back the golding years of steam.

[@mattjohnston7686]

If The west coast can keep Union Pacific big boy 844 running all the time, then there is hope for the good old N&W J 611.

[@maxtrains9434]

Great video I enjoyed it lots I thought this was the best train tribute ever I hope to see some more of your train videos. Thank you for making such a great one for one of my fav steam trains.

[@fly2crawl]

Great video, I can't wait to ride on her again!

[@mattjohnston7686]

this particular Bonjovie song fits. we want 611 back alive. lots of metaphors in the song.

[@docholliday5472]

Less than 6 months to go. I will hopefully be in Spencer, NC when they fire her up for the first time. Great video Gary!

[@DevonMopiedmont1143]

When the day comes I will be in Greensboro waiting for her to pass on her way north to Roanoke

[@curtispitts3691]

i love the 611 and this steam engine will not be quiet last year and this year cause the queen will come back to the rails to run and show everyone who is the queen of the rails and roanoke built roanoke bred and roanoke proud

[@roundhousewarrior2679]

Bring back n&w 1218

[@mattjohnston7686]

ahhh, she's just Beautiful and sounds great. the best Steam Train in Virginia.

[@quasimoto7662]

May 9th, 2015. The first time N&W 611 has moved in over 20 years

[@garyballard9752]

Thanks, it took me a whole day to look up my video scenes, I know I got them coz I took them but I had to remember where my box was in the house, lol

[@altonlewis98]

Love the video man I work where they a restoring her I can't wait to see her under her own power again

[@veliapustetto5068]

What a wonderful machine! Get it restored, pls!

[@morgancarter1192]

Great to see 611 good tribute

[@jay600katana]

Great Video, I've never seen any of those shots before. She deserves to be free, I hope the VMT can get the money together. I'd like to see 611on Amtrak rails at 79 mph with 23 cars....I'll wipe off the foam from my keyboard.

[@garyballard9752]

Thank you so much!

[@MogamiK32]

It came back already

[@zachboyd4749]

Fire up 611!!!!

[@Jessecolliton3992]

This Video Was my Childhood

[@lnproductions3227]

I want 611 or even 1218 back as well.

[@jay600katana]

In these times, moneys tight but I hope every 611 fan might have alittle something to spare for her, SHE NEEDS FIRE and NS needs the crown jewel back to work.

[@garyballard9752]

Thanks Guss, we got to meet in Roanoke sometime!

[@mattjohnston7686]

That Whistle at the beginning, OMG!

[@garywballard6310]

Thanks Matt. That scene is the night return of 611 on a special trip for the National Guard. Trip went from Roanoke departing in the afternoon and took the personnel to Radford Arsenal for a catered dinner outside. The train returned after sunset to Roanoke. This opening sequence I videoed at Shawsville, VA. If you look at the first few seconds of the shot you will see an older gentleman who is wearing his eye glasses. The headlight sparkles in his glasses for a second or two.

[@mattjohnston7686]

Gary W. Ballard, any rumors of her being run this year yet?

[@rage-xwolf_co2171]

The iorn horse shall rise again.. And may never be forgotten

[@mattjohnston7686]

As tough as Jon Wayne, as beautiful as Miss America.

[@mattjohnston7686]

To the older people , I envy you, you grew up enjoying this sight every day.

[@pegrathwol]

Great video! Nice job Gary. If Union Pacific can get a Big Boy operational after 50 years in a museum yard, I don't see why Norfolk Southern can't kick a little more in to help get J 611 back on the rails and steaming again. Not saying $1.5 million is chump change, but I think just the advertising value they would get out of this glorious old lady chugging down the rails is worth whatever dollar value it takes to make it happen.

[@DrFish-ne7xi]

I'm crying and singing XD

[@mattjohnston7686]

Anybody have KZbin video of her at full speed?

[@TrainmanBrando]

the 1 dislike is probably CSX

[@nssteampunk4865]

You bet, CSX does want any steam operation whatsoever on their railroad. They may let someone tow a steamer, but they will never, ever, EVER let anyone run steam excursions on their lines. Of every railroad corporation in the U.S., CSX is the most anal, anti-steam railroad in America, and the only one that won't let steam on their line.

[@PereMarquette1223]

Erich Diebold CN and CP are not far off, and allow limited steam moves, especially CP with Hunter Harrison. UP can be just as bad with outside groups, which amazes me since their history with steam runs deep.

[@PereMarquette1223]

No the other two are from UP...

[@PereMarquette1223]

But with all the stuff surrounding UP steam and Ed Dickens right now I bet they didn't think that NS would be topping them.

[@nssteampunk4865]

Tommy Huynh Could be CSX still hates steam

[@jay600katana]

the MILW 261 or NKP 765 crew, both run on amtrak.

[@needlove1982]

I heard she is going to pound the rails again ounce more, I am so glad the outcome of the study was positive.

[@poirotlover]

Heard on the news today restoration will take 3 to 5 million dollars! It will be worth every penny!

[@brohoop]

EXCELLENT!!!

[@timdelp1]

did 611 and cass engine 6 (Big 6) with Gary Cassell both have N&W HANCOCK 3-CHIMES?

[@GDP999-z1u]

its alive!!!! its alive. *laughs like a maniacal scientist*

[@primemoverRR]

We got her back! They announced this morning, she will be restored and will participate in Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam Program! Whew Whoo!

[@Sys-Edit0r-1995]

And she will be!

[@WorldOfNothin]

so which heritage unit do you want to see behind the 611 on its first run? I personally hope its the Southern and N&W, feels like those two would be good fit together!

[@jacksalvin364]

In 2015, 611 was moved under steam on May 8th.

[@Eddyisrich403]

One of these days....

[@mattjohnston7686]

What's the chance of getting the 611 to come through Stuarts Draft, Virginia. ?

[@gottsavezekaiser1918]

Well we got our wish 3 years ago chaps

[@dwkcamman611]

NICE!

[@popsi50]

There is nothing on the rails to match the sound and fury of, "The Queen of Steam", when she hits, "The High Iron"! She is beautiful and needs to be out and running, not left to rust in Roanoke. I have seen her at the NCTM, in Spencer, although I have never been out with her.

[@tachikoma747]

October of this year is the deadline for her to operate in the 21st Century Steam program for next year!!

[@TrainFan119]

Well she’s back now

[@garyballard9752]

thanks jay900katana !!!!!!!!

[@MrCzechers]

Long live 611! I'll meet her and ride behind her one of these days. (Now if we could bring back my first love, C&O 614) Back to 611, she looks like a bullet. She also looks like she's hauling @$$ even when she's not moving. Finally, her grainy baritone whistle is sexy to the ears. I

[@o484]

2:50 her whistle sounds as if it's part of the music.

[@OnlyTheEd]

7,184 views. I hope to see more of

[@jacobcaudell6107]

I just hope you know that the restoration of the 611 train is happening in Roanoke Va. it's hometown my grandpa worked on that train and took it for business trips im only 13 and alomost 14 but it's happening and plan to have it running by next year.

[@DevonMopiedmont1143]

Dude it was towed to Spencer, NC and has been under repairs longer than this comment has existed check sources before posting something that good railfans know is incorrect

[@jacobcaudell6107]

Devon Mo dude I went to a train convention and I got a brochure saying whar I said so stop being rude im 13

[@DevonMopiedmont1143]

Jacob Caudell well I'm sorry for being rude coming from a 15 year old I am just saying that Roanoke lost its facilities years ago and that it was announced to come here over a year in advance that's all

[@DavidHollyTrainsMore]

I thought it was still being done in spencer. She is beautiful

[@DevonMopiedmont1143]

cavespringsouthernrr it is

[@garyballard9752]

Hey DKCKJ, let me get some video clips and without the music, I will do that soon! thanks!

[@TravisMackey-l1s]

Where was the clip at the beginning of 611 going over the trestle taken?

[@garywballard6310]

Travis that trestle is on the Dry Fork branch out of Richlands, VA headed towards War. The date was June 1993 for that shot I took.

[@TrainmanBrando]

Mr. Ballard, do you know what trestle that is in the beginning?

[@garywballard6310]

Brandon, yes I was recording this scene. The trestle is on the Dry Fork branch running west out of Richlands, VA. You might see older black and white photos of a Y6b pulling a "farewell to steam" excursion over this trestle taken in 1959, I believe.

[@CastleMr40]

Finding an Amtrak engineer and fireman who knew how to do it might be difficult. I'm thinking they've all died by now.

[@PereMarquette1223]

Do another video like this for 1218 and 1522

[@DevonMopiedmont1143]

Rumors from some 611 fans I know of say they will do the same thing for 1218 and send it to Spencer, NC because we do good work so we will see what Roanoke does

[@PereMarquette1223]

I would not be surprised if 2156 doesn't go back to St. Louis. 1218 would be neat!

[@infaredxkingz8786]

My favorite steam girl of the west

[@taffytamuttonfudge5765]

Never mind #611 of the N&W I want WMSR #734 to come back.

[@roundhousewarrior2679]

Bring back the n&w 1218

[@rogerlollar4325]

That "steel horse" has to be a steam engine

[@MrSouthernman73]

Awaken from your 19 year slumber 611...AWAKEN!! I encourage EVERYONE to join the Virginia Museum of Transportation and DONATE to FIRE UP 611.

[@mattjohnston7686]

Steam Train vs Diesel locomotive. just as bad of a debate as muscle car vs rice burner. I always choose Steam Train and v8 muscle car.

[@AwesomeAngrierBirds]

THATS MY FAVORITE TRAIL LOL LOLOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLLLO

[@Formulabruce]

FIRE UP 611 !!

[@garyballard9752]

oops thats jay600katana

[@mattjohnston7686]

People on the bridge got face full of coal, 😆

[@roundhousewarrior2679]

Bring back 1218 donate to bring her back

[@b3king122]

let bring 1218 back to.....611 and 1218,,what a pair.... ;}

[@Cbazz]

I know this video footage

[@rolothePRRQ2]

i heard rumors that NS might bring back the 1218 and maybe the 2156(ITS JUST A RUMOR)

[@manga12]

hmm I will see if I can scrounge up a few funds even just a few dollers, it might be a drop in the bucket, but a drop is a drop right, she needs to come alive again, It must absolutely happen, one of only a handful of streamliners that are still around, and last and biggest of her type ever made, it needs to happen.

[@Victorseafog]

what a greatr vid ruined with bs bon jovi why why

[@garyballard9752]

Buddy I hear ya, trust me a video without the music is awesome too, don't forget that I used to be a crew member on many of these 611 trips. But this video mission is to capture the attention of EVERYONE out there to learn that we ALL need to chime in and help bring the 611 back to running again. A video of pure 611 sounds would suufice to all of us railfans, but the 611 needs MORE than us railfans. This time 611 and her NEXT excursion career will need all people to love her, and to buy a ticket to ride a trip to support her running again. The music broadens the appeal of the video, otherwise it would be just another railfan steam-video and the general public would possibly not pay attention to the issue at hand here. Remember, the Virginia Museum of Transportation embraced this video and frankly I was surprised with the Bon Jovi element included. I know the folks running the Museum there in Roanoke. They are an excellent bunch of people bringing that museum to a state of such that it is one that is proud to visit. To get a "we love it" reply from them when I submitted the video for their approval was an honor for me and a testiment that the video, song included, hits the mission intended. I thank you for watching it! Now put some money aside and buy a ticket to ride behind her when she returns to the rails! Thanks, Gary Ballard

[@mtl6113]

+Gary Ballard she is back

[@mattjohnston7686]

so, Gary, what was it like. how nice to get to work on a piece of history.

[@garywballard6310]

It was very fulfilling to say the least. How can a machine get me choked up just being around it when it's running!

[@Victorseafog]

argh