The Last Run of the N&W 611 - Dec. 7, 1994 - Part 1 

I live a couple blocks away from that Golden Corral location. My dad and I stood on small overpass nearby and watched the 611 go right underneath us (it would have happened just moments before it passed the restaurant in this video). I was covered in smoke/soot .... and loved every minute of it!

Sound of the 611's whistle is amazing.

Such a beautiful whistle. Hopefully one day it will sound again. Excellent video.

@HaloCE14 I totally agree, I was a kid when this ended and I was talking with my dad and uncle about how much it sucked basically that they stopped running the 611. I was very passionate about trains and still am, even as a 22 year old college guy haha.

I'm glad you took the time to record 611's sweet sounds. It is rare in today's world that that kind of thing is appreciated, as evidenced by the folks around you running their mouths and missing that audio treat that preceded her arrival. I once had the chance to be alone on a high bridge recording 611's climb out of downtown Birmingham, only to be joined by some railfan that began loudly by asking me "What is the lore fo the train?" and ruined the recording session.

Great locations! Love the pacing.

Was that 460 you were driving down. The 611 must have been really moving as I see you had to pass many other cars. Awesome turn out too. I don't think that's a GC anymore by the bridge. Great video thanks for posting.

Her going home video's always make me cry, I do not know why!

Last run of N&W 611, in the 20th century!

25 years later... edit: now 26

This video is 6:11 long, what a coincidence.

Ending the steam program tarnished the NS forever making people look at the railroad in a completely different way

611 is now back on the rails, and every day I get to see her is a memory I try to keep with me. Who knows what might become of 611 again? Maybe she'll continue to run excursions for years and years to come, Maybe even making it to her 15 year inspection, Or she may be retired yet again soon. We just have to see what the future holds, That's why Im thankful for everyday I get to see her. The last time I saw her fully under steam was in July of 2016, I got to go inside her cab, Ring the bell, and blow the whistle, and even got to ride behind her. I saw her being fired up just Thursday of last week, and I'll be seeing her under steam again tomorrow at the NC Transportation Museum's TEXAS returns festival. I'll even get to ride behind her again. Any day when anyone sees an active Steam Locomotive, It's a gift that must be cherished forever. Because what many people don't know when they see an active steam engine is that they are looking at not just rail history, But American history. Any day I get to see 611 or any other steam locomotive out there is a gift for me, and I always try to cherish those memories, Cause I know one day, Whether Im dead or still alive, Steam will not be around as much as people want. Eventually it's gonna be gone as a whole, That's why we all need to work together if went to help make steam last as long as possible. :)

the church bells remind me of the famous recording made by o Winston Link in rural retreat Virginia

I just noticed this run was made on Pearl Harbor Day.

No one knows what it's like to have a love of trains of all kinds even diesels and be living next to an operational line and when a business comes to the city 12 miles from you and it blocks the mainline so that no other trains except the ones it needs to come through your town now that is truely the worst thing that has happened to me except for the cancelation of the n&w steam program

check out trains magazine for 1994 many articles on then 'new president' david goode,EVISCERATING the Claytors bros beloved steam program, the shop, the equip, all gone in LIGHTENING speed,after last claytor bros final breathe..the two locos survive, but 1218 ,which was in middle of tubing repair, was hastily,cosmetically ,re assembled. Goode didnt even let 611 finnish its last charter trip...ordering it home mid trip..." so sad. Thats what happens when an "accountant' takes over NS..

You railfans think you're sad/pissed? Can you imagine how the crew felt?

Thank David Goode for ending the steam program at the time.

Love how the video is 6:11 minutes long!

Are you even remotely aware of the economics of having to operate steam? I love steam engines, but if I were the head guy of NS, I'd have canceled the steam program too.

I watch this video over and over and every time I hear her whistle it's saying No No Noooo I don't want to stop running!

Oh I know that oh so famous voice at 5 minute mark calling out the signal... That was great to hear!

I hope they can get the 611 restored, there is a serious consideration in the air right now about getting her moving again.

Well to be honest I called the guy up and I asked about some stuff and I then out of the blue I asked "Ive heard rumors that the NS president has been saying he wants to reopen the steam program". and then he said quote "If the CEO wants to bring the program back he can if he wants to theres no question about that, he already has plans to open a steam program similar to UPs." Thats pretty much how I heard it.

Plus Excaliburlink has no respect for trains

@HaloCE14 Cool deal, thanks for bringing this to my attention! I shall look into it.

Halo don't know jack!(Troll) Great memories..maybe NS will get her rolling again!

Nearly 20 years later and she's on the road to restoration!

love the whistle hope they can restore her, if they can restore 4449 or 3751 they can restore her

I used to watch this video with a great deal of sadness thinking I would never hear or see her run again. Now I watch these videos with joy knowing 611 is coming back to service. Fire up 611!!

I live in St. Paul,in the business I was talking about is Honda in greensburg,in

Love the track chatter you have going on in the car =]

@trainmandan05 that really cool, i hope it happens

I would like to see this locomotive run again.

@trainmandan05 when and how did you hear this

dec 7th a day which has lived in infamy

This was a sad moment in rail history, complete with black flags on the locomotive. Happily, it's not over. 611 is coming back! In the meantime it spent 20 years in good storage, so I guess that's OK.

you might want to change the title

Who the hell dislikes this?

611 is coming back, YES!!!

611 please come back

Heartbreaking.

Cockroach2008

This

I can tell that the crews were probably upset that NS was killing steam back then.

Long live 611

Thank you so much for posting this video! I now live in Roanoke, but grew up between Gretna and Lynchburg, right off of this line. I had no idea that this line was part of 611's last run. I wish I hadn't been away at college at the time and missed it! :( I get to see her (and 1218) as much as I want at the VMT, but videos like this one are the only time I get to see her run. There's nothing quite like the sound of 611! Thanks again!!!

I hope they make sure the whistle sounds just like it did in this video. I love it more then any other one of her tuning for it!

Ah, to hear that whistle again will be amazing

I was born Dec 7, 1994 :)