Yesterday’s maiden voyage home for N&W 4-8-4 J-Class No. 611 could be described countless ways. For many, it was simply the feeling of being reunited with an old friend. For others such as myself, it was my first encounter with No. 611 in all her glory. And for all of us trackside, it was truly magical. By now, we have all enjoyed seeing the many photos of No. 611 and it’s 18 car passenger consist parading along Norfolk Southern’s ex- Southern Railway and Norfolk & Western mainlines through North Carolina and Virginia. We have enjoyed seeing the images and listening to the video; many of us first hand.
Operating under its own power for the first time in more than 20 years, No. 611 conducts its first test run on the grounds of the N.C. Transportation Museum on Saturday May 9, 2015. An appropriate milestone on National Train Day.
For me, I tried to differentiate yesterday’s historic journey on a meaningful level beyond megapixels and video recordings. And that moment of realization occurred to me when J-Class No. 611 was ascending Blue Ridge grade at a location east of the summit. Watching N&W 611 split a pair of remaining color position signals on the railroad’s 1.3 percent grade was an appropriate fit for the Roanoke-built locomotive. It was a memorable moment for the dozens who had gathered at this location, and certainly an everlasting moment for No. 611’s engineer; Norfolk Southern CEO Charles W. “Wick” Moorman who was behind the throttle during its ascent to Blue Ridge summit. Wick has played such an influential role in all of the railroad’s preservation initiatives while overseeing the railroad’s entire operations as CEO since 2006. Norfolk Southern President James A. Squires will succeed Wick on June 1.
At that moment in an otherwise chaotic and adrenaline-rushing day, everything clicked and became very clear. Norfolk Southern exceeds the expectations of its supporters and the company goes well beyond the extra mile to showcase its beautiful rail heritage. The recognition of its predecessor routes through a beautiful heritage program, its countless community-driven initiatives that strengthen relationships between the company and the communities it serves, and a surreal 21st century steam program that bridges the past and the present through first class excursions that provide us fans with beautiful photography opportunities and educates the pubic on the importance of rail transportation.
All of these initiatives and more have helped build so many relationships within the industry and its supporting organizations and people. And first hand, it’s taught the newest generation of supporters that dreams can become realities when all of the resources come together. We may take things for granted sometimes, so let’s cherish these beautiful opportunities to relive history. While words cannot adequately explain our gratitude, I think I speak for many of us when I express my thanks to all of the men and women who have dedicated countless hours to make moments such as yesterday possible for so many of us. Here’s to an exciting summer ahead and again, welcome home N&W 611!
N&W 611 leads 18 cars over N&W's Blue Ridge District at Villamont, Va. on May 30, 2015. NS CEO Charles W. "Wick" Moorman was behind the throttle during the locomotive's historic ascent over Blue Ridge.
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