Pacing along US 70 West of Statesville, NC Thanks to my friend Kenny from Matthews, NC for some fancy driving while I hung out the window like a hound dog. Hi8 Master Recording
I saw 611 for the first time in my life a few weeks ago at the VMT. It has been an object of both beauty and fascination to me for many years. It was almost an emotional experience seeing it for the first time. Not to mention the 1218 as well.
I hope that beautiful whistle 611 wore in the early 90s before going out of service will one day be worn on her and blown once again, plus I think it's better than the one she currently uses that I think was worn on Union Pacific 838
Please Please put this train back into action. OH my Good Lord Now that is one hell of a great video. The 611 should run along side with other passenger trains. She is an amazing machine.
The pinnicle of steam power. I've read that NS will allow her to grace their rails (they should be so lucky) if someone else foots the bill for the overhaul and operation. So, who can loan me $750,000 to get the ball rolling? I promise I'll need more later and I won't be able to pay you back. haha. Long live her memory and maybe she'll get to make some new ones someday.
Better try to make it this summer if you want to see her running. She goes in for her 15-year boiler rebuild in 2013 and will be down for at least a few years.
This is filmed right outside of my work in Longview NC. I rarely see many trains run through here anymore I miss it. It would be awesome to see the 611 come barreling through
@@jowithno986 Norfolk Southern ended through service on that line. It is my understanding that there is only a local freight that serves industries on the line. A lot of coal trains used to move that way to utilities in the south but a large number of those steam plants have been converted to natural gas. Coal used to be king on US railroads, from their inception through a decade or two ago. Unit coal trains are rare today, followed by mixed manifest (trains made up of assorted kinds of cars and commodities. The most common trains seen today are intermodal, automobile racks and unit tank trains of ethanol and other commodities.
@@yankinga wow thank you. I have noticed that there is a train that comes through a couple times a day for local traffic never more than 10 15 cars max. Long gone are the days when I was a child and we would have to sit for what felt like 20 minutes for the super long ones to pass. Everytime I hear it pass by work usually around 9pm I run out to get a glimpse. Thanks again for the video and the info I loved it
Props to your driver! Thanks for the video! You were actually in Longview NC. I saw my house go by. I watched this train go by when I was a young teen. When was this video shot?
Preston Claytor withdrew both himself and the whistle heard here due to the "Spirit Of Roanoke" moniker being applied to the engine. Source: roanoke.com/steam-dream-a-national-marvel/article_e2dc1233-92cd-5fdf-a273-2b809022c60c.html My opinion on the matter: Nothing but purist pettiness really. Kinda hypocritical too. I mean, from my perspective, if you're not beating the drum about a non-prototypical dual beam headlight, MU stand, coal bunker extension, and current lack of usable steam heat line should the need for such a thing ever arise; you have *NO* right whatsoever to beat the drum about a non-prototypical name meant to pay homage to the people of the city where the engine was built being painted on the cab side that isn't even all that noticeable when said engine's in motion and remove it's original whistle because of the application of said name.
