Does the same engineer travel with and operate the 611 on all of it's visits to different cities ? If so I would love to get the engineer to autograph one of my prize photos.
Doug
Pretty much, yes. Except it has always been more than "one Engineer". The NKP 765 folks have the same situation, i.e. about three qualified Engineers in order to not exceed the FRA hours of service law.
RE: Mr Fixit's pic of 611 entering Spencer ... Do I detect a slight smile on 611's face? Normally a J is rather expressionless. It looks like she was pleased with the day's efforts. Great to see her back in steam!
Dave
My son and I just ordered dome car tickets to ride on 14-June from Lynchburg. Looking forward to it. Going to take in the Dayton Air Force museum on the return trip. I have not been there in 32 years!
I don't care what is "stickered" on the side of 611's cab, I'm just glad to see 611 back in action.
A wholehearted thanks to all those who worked and contributed to make this a reality.
Regards,
GNNPNUT
Did the J engines usually run two coal cars?...or is that something else behind the first coal car?
First, is isn't a "coal car". The main tender is draw-bar coupled to the engine and carries the coal (fuel) and water. The second, is the auxiliary tender, which carries ONLY water. During the "old days" of regular steam operations, the N&W did not use auxiliary water tenders on their passenger locomotives, however many of the their big articulated coal hauling locomotives did use auxiliary water tenders.
Thats her "Canteen" or extra water tender. A small tank car to provide water for longer runs.
Fire up 1522! (gotta have a dream)
To bad I missed the live feed. Just seeing the Facebook video was something. I hope someone posts it on You Tube. the One thing. Did they hit something?. There appears to be damage to the left front panel?
No they didn't hit anything. What panel are you talking about?
Here is the pic. It doesn't show in the other photos but in this one. Or is it just the camera angle.
Looks like a reflection of the tree line.
There is a different object (the bridge?) reflecting on the other side.
That's what I thought camera angle. lighting and reflections of the panels.. Still wouldn't use this as a PR photo.
Did the J engines usually run two coal cars?...or is that something else behind the first coal car?
Dave
Definitely a smile on 611. Actually more like a huge grin.
SJC, THANKS for the videos; beautifully shot and edited.
"The Fire Up 611 campaign began on June 28, 2013 although IIRC the committee made a formal announcement from the dock of the VMT in February or March of that year."
so, roughly 2 years. Highly impressive. Congrats to all involved. 
You just nailed it right there. In this age, everything has to be personalized and people apparently can't cope with the idea of something being just one of a large number of its type, even if what they're looking at is the last example.
I also agree. Just my opinion but, I wonder if this is all related to the "marketing" and "Trademarking" by the museum of everything 611.
Not to be outdone, the Union Pacific will place a sticker on 844's cab naming her "The Spirit of Cold Water".
I keep hearing from two friends of mine who are pretty close to the TVRM, that NS doesn't have any steam people other than 1-2 folks and totally count on TVRM to run 630 and 4501 and they're both wondering how they're going to keep 611 running as neither thinks that the Roanoke museum has enough people to handle that and NS sure doesn't.
No clue how accurate that is, but I keep hearing it.
Thanks to all who have posted so many great pix and video of 611 under steam again. I'd guess in SJC's first video that the train is running between 55 and 60 mph.
Stepping back a couple weeks, here's another frame from work in Spencer. Those of you watching or chasing the run from Spencer to Roanoke, what a thrill that should be!
David
Live feed is back on. Cab rides and lucky people getting throttle time.
Live feed is back on. Cab rides and lucky people getting throttle time.
Maybe lucky, but more like they paid $611 for something like 15 or 30 minutes at the throttle.
Live feed is back on. Cab rides and lucky people getting throttle time.
Maybe lucky, but more like they paid $611 for something like 15 or 30 minutes at the throttle.
It's for 30 minutes. Define luck how you want...I don't have that kind of money to spend. Wish I did. 
Live feed is back on. Cab rides and lucky people getting throttle time.
Maybe lucky, but more like they paid $611 for something like 15 or 30 minutes at the throttle.
It's for 30 minutes. Define luck how you want...
To my knowledge, it was not a lottery. There were so many "slots" advertised a $611 per "slot". Obviously, it sold out pretty quickly.
Live feed is back on. Cab rides and lucky people getting throttle time.
Maybe lucky, but more like they paid $611 for something like 15 or 30 minutes at the throttle.
It's for 30 minutes. Define luck how you want...
To my knowledge, it was not a lottery. There were so many "slots" advertised a $611 per "slot". Obviously, it sold out pretty quickly.
It did! I understand the throttle time raffle was pretty popular too.
I keep hearing from two friends of mine who are pretty close to the TVRM, that NS doesn't have any steam people other than 1-2 folks and totally count on TVRM to run 630 and 4501 and they're both wondering how they're going to keep 611 running as neither thinks that the Roanoke museum has enough people to handle that and NS sure doesn't.
No clue how accurate that is, but I keep hearing it.
What about the folks that know 611 best, the ones who did the rebuild?
Absolutely correct, RickO. I understand that Scott Lindsay will continue his involvement with 611 as will many of the volunteers that worked on her over the past year.
Great shots Ken!
I'm not sure of his exact age, late 50's? ish. Yes he has run the 765 a few times.
Probably THE BEST video I've seen of 611's test run on 5/21. Accelerating away from Greensboro, no whistle, just raw power. Gets especially good around the 1:06 mark!
Bob has run the 765 a couple of times. He's a good steam engineer.
I don't think he will be the regular 611 engineer, however. There are other operational responsibilities that demand his attention on a regular excursion when there are passengers on the train.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
