Thoughts and notes on Norfolk & Western No. 611’s first mainline run in almost 21 years

SPENCER, N.C. – The steam event of 2015 – Norfolk & Western No. 611 in steam on the main line – is underway, finally. I was fortunate to be among the small group of fans who gathered trackside Thursday to see it in person, and none of us were disappointed. No. 611 lived up to her legendary ability to accelerate and sprint while looking graceful at the point of a passenger train. The good thing about this all: It was only the first day of more than two dozen in the next six weeks when the engine will be under steam and running.

The day started with No. 611, fresh from a year-long rebuild, moving off the ashpit and passing under a water crane and onto a 100-foot turntable in front of the Bob Julian Roundhouse at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, where I’ve been a volunteer since 1986. I’m partial to the former Southern Railway shop complex anyway, and I can’t think of a better setting for the 611’s revival. When she returns to Roanoke, let’s hope that fundraising to complete an authentic-styled shop for the Class J is successful. Plans call for the Virginia Museum of Transportation to build a structure resembling a classic N&W 1950s lubritorium – basically a drive through service center --  at its campus in downtown Roanoke, Va. Only then will the Fire Up 611! effort be complete. Every locomotive needs a home.

It was good to see many people who were involved with No. 611 in its past excursion life on her crew Thursday. Scott Lindsay, who rebuilt her this time; Sandy Alexander, Cheri George, and Will Sadler, who fired her in the 1990s; were all on board, and Sandy, a Norfolk Southern engineer got throttle time while Cheri took the fireman’s seat on the return trip . They were joined by the team who put the engine back together again this time. A major steam locomotive rebuild is a once in a lifetime experience for most people, but Scott, Sandy, Cheri, and Will got to do it twice. Is a third time in their future in 15 years when the engine is due for its next boiler inspection?

My favorite memory from Thursday’s test run will be No. 611’s spirited departure from a planned inspection stop on the main line adjacent to Norfolk Southern’s Spencer Yard. We could see the engine about a mile down the track, and by the time No. 611 passed us at control point Lee, No. 611 was accelerating on a slight upgrade, rods blurring, cinders raining down, and exhaust booming, just like the good  old days, whether they were 1950-1959 or 1982-1994. Welcome to the new good old days as No. 611 enters its third career. She may be days away from her 65^th birthday, but retirement is not an option

No. 611 roars out of a stop at Norfolk Southern's Spencer Yard in Linwood, N.C., as the cinders rain down. Jim Wrinn photo.

Cheri George fires while Scott Lindsay watches as No. 611 moves around the wye in Greensboro, N.C. Jim Wrinn photo.