In 2023, after months of rumors and speculations it was officially announced the Norfolk & Western #611 would be returning to the Mainline. The last time the 611 lead mainline excursions was in 2017. After that, the engine has operated at the North Carolina Transportation Museum and the Strasburg Railroad at various times. While I caught the engine at Strasburg numerous different times I always wanted another chance for a Mainline chase. In August of 2023 it was announced the Queen of Steam would be operating excursions on the Virginia Scenic Railway, dubbed the Shenandoah Valley Limited. Running between Goshen & Staunton 611 would finally be able to run on the Mainline again. This excursions would run the entire month of October, and first weekend in November. I would catch the 611 on October 27th & 29th during Peak Fall Colors. The only reason I did not catch the train on the 28th was due to the mechanical issues that took it out of service. Running 2 trips a day, one at 9 AM & 2 PM, enjoy my coverage of the 611 running through Peak Fall Colors on the Buckingham Branch at Track speed through the Shenandoah Valley.
I chased these excursions with @GTRailFanProductions @DroppedSignal and BLE866 and we had a great time! Make sure you check out there channels!
The Norfolk & Western 611 was built by the Norfolk & Western Railway in 1950. She was one of 13 J Class 4-8-4 Steam locomotives that would operate on the railroad in passenger service before being retired in 1959. She was the only one of her class saved, due to the efforts of O. Winston Link. In 1982 it was restored for the Norfolk Southern Steam Program, and was featured on Shining Time Station. It was retired in 1994 at the end of the program but was restored in 2015 for the 21st Century Steam Program. From 2015-2017 she would operate for the program before it ended again. In 2018 everything was up in the air due to Amtrak's new Policies about these trips. Until 2023 611 would operate at primarily both Strasburg & North Carolina Transportation Museum. In 2023, the 611 would finally get another chance with a new found partnership between the Virginia Museum of Transportation & the Virginia Scenic! Hopefully like the Indiana Rail Experience this continues to expand.
Well October was a lot of fun, between 765, New York & Lake Erie, 611 and even being able to squeeze in 1309. November is looking to be a quiet month, but it is looking hopeful for the Christmas season to chase the #1225 and #1309 again so as always stay tuned for more steam action! If you liked this video please give it a like and if you want to see more steam train action please subscribe to my channel!
X: / action_set
Facebook: / chendersonrailproductions
Instagram: / chendersonrail
Threads: www.threads.ne...
5 окт 2024
