Historic move of N&W 611

[gb hill]

Sunday May 25th was the historic move of the J class N&W 611 from Roanoke Va. A crew was called at 8am to move the train to the NC Transportation museum in Spencer N.C. The museum in Spencer is the old Southern Railroad shops that served the Southeast U.S.

Caught the last leg of the trip in Thomasville N.C. Leading is the NS Heritage N&W 8103. The consist had a track speed of 25 to 35mph so I had plenty of time to set up at next location.

Above, 2nd in consist is the repainted Wabash E8 for the Streamliner event at Spencer this coming weekend.

Thrid out is the J class N&W611. This train will spend a time of restoration at Spencer shops for a future date of runing excursions once again.

Coming into Spencer for last leg of the journey.

 

[gb hill]

All photo's were made with my Canon T-70 & Canon FD28/2.8 lens & generic 400 speed film. Thanks for looking.

 

[Paulbe]

Greg! Can't BELIEVE you got those shots! Absolutly terrific--have been looking at them on "railpictures" but nowhere as good as yours. We've ridden behind the 611 and the 1218 several times, and I'm happy they're putting the 611 back into service. Now all we need to do is to get 611 and the 4014 Big Boy in the same shot...🙂 Will you be going to Spencer for the event?
Thanks again for the photos--
Paul

 

[gb hill]

Thank you Paul. I hope to be going Saturday. I went out today & caught NS 047 which had the SOO line, NPR, & others. I really love seeing these old Streamliners.

 

[TXForester]

Great shots.

Yesterday, I was discussing recreating old rail travel. We could use travel with modern Pullman cars, dining cars, and observation cars. I'd love a chance to travel as people did in the 40s and 50s.

 

[gb hill]

Great shots.

Yesterday, I was discussing recreating old rail travel. We could use travel with modern Pullman cars, dining cars, and observation cars. I'd love a chance to travel as people did in the 40s and 50s.

That would be nice. I'd love the chance to travel the U.S. or part of it. I met several ol gentlemen who remembered riding the N&W 611 yesterday. A very happy & emotional day for lot's of people.

 

[Argenticien]

Nice pix, Greg. I would love to see these machines! I did not know about next weekend's events in Spencer. Of all the damn times to have a heavily booked weekend of prior commitments that I can't easily weasel out of... 🙁

--Dave

 

[Paulbe]

TX--we'd have to do things a little differently--otherwise, the cars would be filled with cigarette smoke and not air conditioned--and with smoke and cinders from the engines.
And probably folks reciting lines from "Casablanca"--booze would be cheap, though.
Paul

 

[farlymac]

Great set of shots, Greg! I was on the PUP list Saturday, so I didn't make it down to the museum to see her leave, and I had other things planned for Sunday. Glad you got to be in position for those run-bys.

PF

 

[gb hill]

Great set of shots, Greg! I was on the PUP list Saturday, so I didn't make it down to the museum to see her leave, and I had other things planned for Sunday. Glad you got to be in position for those run-bys.

PF

Just think Phil the next time she comes back to Roanoke will be on her own power. Took along the canonet with Kentmere 400 B&W film. Took some shots of her parked at the museum but haven't got around to developing the roll yet. This was my 1st time seeing the 611 in person. Impressive.

 

[Al Patterson]

Real nice stuff. I missed the last run of 611 because I was working and thought I would ride it the next year. Oh well, those were nice, but 611 needs to be on the front and under steam next time it moves.

I have seen both 611 and 1218 in Roanoke in their museum. Seen videos and slides from railfans who chased her. That will be one impressive sight when she runs again.

 

[Sustich]

Here's a link to Pullman Rail Journeys which operates between Chicago and New Orleans. Might be worthy of consideration.

http://www.travelpullman.com/

 

[zauhar]

Excellent shots Greg! Really beautiful machine. The contemporary analogues don't really compare.

Randy

 

[lynnb]

Thanks for sharing these Greg! Nothing beats steam, up close. At any distance, actually.