Norfolk & Western 611 - The Virginia Tour

In late spring and early summer 2015, the Norfolk & Western 611 operated the Virginia Tour, a series of eleven excursions throughout her home state of Virginia over Norfolk Southern, based out of Manassas, Lynchburg, and Roanoke, Virginia.
The Manassas based excursions operated on June 6th and 7th, bound for Front Royal. The Lynchburg based trips ran from Lynchburg to Petersburg on June 13th and 14th. Three of the Roanoke based trips on July 3rd-5th ran from Roanoke to Lynchburg, meanwhile the other three trips which operated over the same three days ran from Roanoke to Radford.
The 611 spent nearly 20 years sitting in the Virginia Museum of Transportation following a second retirement after the close of the first NS Steam Program in 1994. With the successful restoration through "Fire Up 611", the 4-8-4 has gained a third lease on life once again hauling excursions as part of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam.
The 611 was built in 1950 by the N&W's East End shops in Roanoke. She is a 4-8-4 Northern type wheel configuration, a class known simply as the "J". The J's were designed for high speed passenger service on the N&W on trains like the Powhatan Arrow and the Cavalier. The engine ran until 1959, later placed on display in Roanoke. It was restored in 1982 and operated for the original Southern/NS steam program for 12 years of excursions.
Now, sit back, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Norfolk & Western 611's return to her home state.
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[@scottpoole5593]

611 is a childhood icon for me . I was 12 when I went on the blue ridge special from Charlotte to Asheville to Spartanburg and back to Charlotte. I must have explored the entire train up and down dozens of times that day. I remember her chugging up the Saluda grade and hearing her whistle echo through the town. My.face blackened by her smoke and cinders in my hair. They are sights, sounds and smells from that trip that I won't ever forget. Its my all time favorite childhood memory. Thank you 611.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@gingerbread6614]

You always find the best spots to video these trains. Thank you . These trains are all so beautiful.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@TomKirkman1]

One of the best 611 videos I have watched. It focuses mostly on the 611 and features many, many fly-bys.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@williamschlenger1518]

Great video.Its amazing how many people come out to see something we once took for granted 😎

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@bobbyevans6203]

Wow excellent camerawork and filming spots! That shot on the bridge was absolutely incredible, I cant wait to see it in PA later this year!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@xangry_train_guyx5479]

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Great job!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@4501trainman]

Thanks for sharing this Great H/D Video of N&W #611. You managed to get a lot of good run-by's into 19-minutes of video.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

+4501trainman Glad you enjoyed it.

[@emdman1959]

The engine looks fantastic and seems to run superbly, hat off to all the restoration crew you did a fantastic job on the restoration

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

They did an excellent job

[@Maizerus]

Dynamo... 2:35 ... that's an iconic shot. I could watch that one over and over again.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Maizerus Why thank you! That's always the goal!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Follow us for more content at: facebook.com/DYProd instagram.com/dynamo.productions.trains www.dynamo-productions.com/

[@michaelhollingsworth4688]

First time I had rode on the 611 steam excursion was on October 23 1994 that was the greatest day of my life to see the legend icon on the famous grade

[@jayfmiller]

Great job on the video. It is nice to see so many young people among the spectators!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@TheBestTrainsAreReal]

1:31 I love that shot and when the train passes awesome!!!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@ertegunrex1]

so good to see it again in operation

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@nightlightabcd]

One heck of a engine and cars. Nice video to. Excellent work.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@tommybrill9107]

Great stuff here. Thanks.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@jds1342]

1000th like! Love the video!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Thank you

[@Bigjimvideo]

Fantastic!!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Big Jim Video Productions Thanks!

[@jamesmccann1097]

Really nice video work really well put together. It looks like you picked out your shots ahead of time.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@destroyergaming637]

Long Live “The Queen Of Steam”!

[@CraterFilms]

Great Video!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@thomasweekley9209]

I love the exhaust sound @1:31

[@PennRailVideos]

Nice compilation!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Penn Rail Videos Thank you!

[@nssteampunk4865]

Dynamo Productions Now there are two operational N&W steamers, #475 at Strasburg, and #611! The next ones to be restored hopefully should be N&W #1218, #2156 the Y, and #578 at Ohio Railway Museum.

[@Stussmeister]

+Erich Diebold Indeed, and #475, if I'm not mistaken, is the only surviving example of a 4-8-0 steam locomotive. I've ridden behind #475 many times (my grandmother used to live in Lancaster County), and, as a self-acknowledged railroad nut, am thrilled to see #611 up and running again.

[@mattjohnston7686]

ahhh the sights and sounds of the Steam Train

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

It doesn't get much better than that

[@norfolksourthern6114]

Hey guys it's me! :)

[@debtsucks5848]

Nice to see the Six-one-one back in service....C'mon UP......4014......let's goooooooooooo

[@marklindsey1995]

#Done

[@jmcuoco9986]

Perfect shot at 6:00!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@steveruss84]

Mint video!!

[@tanhoanguyen7165]

Steve Russ xz

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@spadesofpaintstudios1719]

Amazing engine dam if only I could own an engine like this

[@aver4ge_gam3r37]

If only any of us could! We wouldnt be here if we had one would we? Anyways sorry for the late reply.

[@brianfalzon6739]

Would love to see 611 possibly come to Jim Thorpe, PA to meet up with 425 and Steamtown in Scranton, PA! 611 hasn't been to PA since 1986 for the NRHS Convention!

[@ThePolarExpress1225Productions]

that is possible because that section of track is desined for high speed running

[@ezbrony9050]

611 on the move

[@maxm4375]

Steam in the valley 2015 is coming soon it will be held in Akron Ohio and the Cuyahoga Valley scenic railroad

[@brianfalzon6739]

Max M Would it be either 765 or 611 might go to Arkon, OH? I know 765 has been to CVSR a few times, but would love for everyone to see 611 go to CVSR someday too! 611 has never been to the CVSR before!

[@maxm4375]

It's the 765 again for Steam in the valley maybe we can talk the CVSRR want the owners the 611 to bringing the 611 here.

[@ogtme]

Beautifully done...and look at that sweet little face-!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@whatsthechannelnamex]

It's a shame there's no more excursions going to happen. Was told $$$$ was the factor. Sad. Miss chasing The Lady

[@lilcattythewildnorwester7786]

I think am in love with class-J streamlined locomotive

[@labreyalee5607]

ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok

[@spadesofpaintstudios1719]

jian Laws same and ps I like your profile pic from ed edd an eddy

[@labreyalee5607]

gig

[@Pinheiro.2015]

My favorite locomotiva is 4449 the Union Pacific !

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

You mean Southern Pacific Daylight GS-4 # 4449.

[@jacksalvin364]

Up 838's whistle was on the 611.

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

Actually, it's SP 4449's old whistle!

[@jacksalvin364]

Oh.

[@khalilrasha1]

I wish they will restore 1218 and 2156

[@syedbaari7774]

AWesome TrAiN MANUFACTURD WELL

[@AgnieszkaRurka]

Rewelacja :)

[@jerzybakulski8374]

Ale ta lokomotywa,to za piękna nie jest.Wygląda jak z pociągu pancernego.

[@sudriansignalman9387]

I have my Bachmann 611 beside me

[@catlover2368]

the 611 needs to go to Strasburg

[@Stussmeister]

+Destinee Meyer That would be interesting, especially considering that at least one of the steam locomotives in the Strasburg Railroad's roster is a former N&W engine. My thought is, though, that while Strasburg is an exceptionally great railroad (I've ridden on it several times), it might not be quite long enough for a 4-8-4 like #611 to fully stretch her wheels.

[@NW475]

+Destinee Meyer interesting idea, but it would be a bit challenging for N&W 611 to ride Strasburg's rails, considering how many short bends there are at the eastern side of the line and the current condition of the track.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Your wish has been granted.

[@thatpilotdylan2024]

now this is a true passenger train. The up not to cause hate but should take notes.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@engineerskalinera]

from 1:30 onward... :3

[@dariusthedmirconsolidation3494]

Y should the 611 be the queen of steam.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

That's what it's long been nicknamed

[@phil700ag5]

Question, they are carried passengers?

[@vector6977]

built specifically as a high speed (100MPH) passenger locomotive.

[@NW-gi1cp]

2x full speed

[@DVR01]

611 is as fast as Gordon.

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Well, they can do about 40mph with 611

[@jimmywalker1568]

lovely big Locomotive but not as fast as U.K locos

[@everettmeehling]

+Jimmy Walker Well, it was built to handle larger heavier trains on steeper grades than its U.K. counterparts, so it's not like that's a bad thing, nor a surprise.

[@Hotdawgfilms]

+Jimmy Walker These things could easily travel at speeds over 100 MPH on flat ground. I'd say it would be just as fast as UK locos if you gave it the chance.

[@paulhitchcock9760]

+Jimmy Walker Along with a couple of French designs (which did not get multiplied) this is probably the world's ultimate express steam locomotive. IMHO the U.K. had nothing whatsoever to touch it (says this Briton)

[@brianfalzon6739]

611 should visit Owosso in the future and doublehead with 1225

[@TheNoogaRailfan]

*insert train* should double head with *insert train* because reasons!

[@frankmcgrath3672]

Religious experience