N&W 611 test run successful

I get a laugh at all the todo about ditch lights.  I recall on fantrips back in the 50's the fans were complaining about engines having their HEADLIGHTS on in daytime!

That is disappointing to hear.

Be grateful for small favors. If the ditch lights are the biggest issue things must be pretty good in the steam world. Now if only the West coast boys could/would get their act together !!

I agree with that. Having never seen her run before I was hoping to see her as she appeared before like everyone else. Just a bit bummed personally but I'll get over it.

 

Maybe this is the reason that the Fort Wayne crew rebuilt the Mars light on the 765?

Maybe ditch lights will only be required for ferry moves.

 

But to paraphrase a popular saying on the 3-rail side "It's Norfolk Southern's Railroad, they can do what they want..."

 

Rusty

not a fan of the lights either, but a small nit to pick if that gets her out.Not like they're requiring pink paint.

What is wrong with the "west coast boys"? None of the steam locomotives that are operable on the "west coast" have ditch lights!

No, because as I recall the Mars Light on the 765 was a red warning light, and was activated by an emergency/penalty air brake application. 

I absolutely couldn't stand the dual beam headlights from the first restoration. Killed the looks, but, it's not my engine.

I think your confusing the 261 with the 765.  The 765 had the clear light and the 261 had the red warning light.  

No, I didn't confuse the 765 with 261. However, I think the type of Mars Light on 765 is the type of design that can display a clear oscillating headlight, and then change to red for an emergency/penalty air brake application. Rich will have to clear up my memory. 

Where'd you see this?

I have to wonder as 4501 and 630 didn't have them last year...of course NS could have made a change regarding this.  But I haven't seen anything anywhere about this.....yet.

I'm wondering if indeed this is an issue at all. "I saw a photo" has become the internet version of when people used say, "I heard somewhere that..." when you have no backing at all for what you're talking about (or are making it up yourself).

I truly think that if there really were photos of 611 being fitted for ditch lights that they'd be all over the railfan internet by now.

Heck, RDG 2100 had her ditch lights... ditched the other day and those photos were everywhere within a couple of hours.

Google N&W 611 ditch lights or any close words to that end, and you won't find anything showing them being fitted or tested. I tried several different phrases for it.

There are a couple "from good source...blah, blah" confirmation and a picture that seems legit on the NS Steam Excursion Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/268211669943764/ 

 

I don't want to repost the pic since it isn't mine.  I guess it is what it is, just glad she's going to be running.

Okay, p51, here's the pic direct from the source....

Just my opinion but, I think the rebuild crew members are having a bit of fun.

Yeah, I'd put my money on that, too.

I'm inclined to agree with Hot water, but if it is for real then such is life.  Also it better be the worlds thinnest light housing ever, because when the "beak" goes back on there isn't any room where they have it now unless they move it forward on the pilot in front of the cut lever.  But I'll believe it when I see it...besides what would throw a bunch of fans into a uproar quicker anyway.... 

 

According to a source close to the restoration crew she is going to have ditch lights. I'm not a fan of them on steam engines but oh well. 

I guarantee the Mars light on 765 was clear, at least back in the '80's when it worked it was...

No, and I don't recall ever seeing them on the 4501 either...I must be going blind...  As for positioning those ditch lights behind the cut lever....it sure appears to be tight...but in front of it there is room to spare.  Take a look at that photo I linked to, am I just looking at it wrong because of the angle of the photo?  All the times I have been around the 611 I have never really looked at that area all that closely.  Either way it's still worth it to have the 611 back in steam.

 

 

 

I agree but it's a small price to pay so to speak.  It's going to be great having the 611 back on the rails.  The restoration crew has done an amazing job and are true professionals. 

Unfortunately 611 will have to have them as she was built after 12/31/1948, which any locomotive built before that is considered historic by the FRA and would be exempt from the regulation. I'd hope that the 611 folks have at least considered applying for a waiver, but as it's been said here already, not my engine...

I don't think it matters when 611 was built, as the FRA regulations for diesel locomotives don't necessarily apply to steam locomotives, as they are covered under a different set of FRA regulations.

611 will not have ditch light!!!

Think about it Does 765, 4501 and 630 have any?

No,,,,,,,,not yet anyway.

Funny how those regs keep getitng misquoted, huh?

I think RDG 2100 having ditch lights for most of her latter career in WA state probably caused a lot of confusion in that regard...

I don't think any of the Chinese steam locomotives in the US have/had ditch lights, did they?

I don't know. To be honest with you, I wouldn't walk across the street to see one of those Chinese 2-10-2 locomotives go by anyway.

Starting to look like herself again.  A nice image.

I just got home from my day at Spencer. Here are a few pics I took and she's looking GREAT! Big Jim, you were closest on the nose-cone fasteners. The answer I got from one of the fellows mounting it today was 16.

 

Almost forgot, I asked Scott Lindsay about the ditch lights...he would not provide an answer. Oh well, I tried.

Great photos, thank for sharing them.  As for the ditch lights, well there is only 2 answers...either yes or no.  Heck as long as she is back it doesn't really matter. 

Yeah, people can say that now, but if ditch lights show up, I can promise you it'll very much matter to people if they're on the engine when it runs on the main....

Rich, thanks for the photos.

Yeah and it matters to me also.   But there isn't much we can do about it. ..it's still better than having her sit cold at the VMT.

It is hard to tell from this photo, but, it looks like I am going to be disappointed that they didn't take the time to smooth out the bright-work up top.

Question for those who might know.  On the trip home on May 30th is the departure time known?  The website says arrival in Roanoke between 2:30 and 4:00 PM but no info on departure.  I think I have looked at everything but if it is there I can't find it.

 

Also , is the 40 mph speed restriction for steam still in effect?

 

Thanks for any help.

 

George Lasley